Music lovers are being encouraged to be in tune with warnings of a scam, involving emails pretending to be from Apple and iTunes.

More than 300 instances have been picked up by the National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in recent days.

The circulating emails appear to come from iTunes, part of Apple Music, detailing a recent purchase of albums or songs.

The email states that if the account holder did not purchase the items then they should click on the link provided to obtain an immediate refund.

Anyone clicking the link is redirected to a web page, where they are then asked to fill out their card information and other details in order to get their money back. But fraud experts say the spam emails simply link to 'malicious' web pages, which are being used to harvest personal details, most likely to gain access to bank accounts of victims.

Action Fraud, which is urging anyone with an iTunes library to delete the email immediately, has issued some advice for music lovers to help them identify the fake emails.

It includes checking where the email has come and the address from which it was sent, going into your personal iTunes account and library within Apple Music to check recent activity and downloads and to check your account activity yourself with Apple rather than through the email received if you are concerned.

Anyone who thinks they have inadvertently filled out a fake form and perhaps shared their personal details, should not use online banking or any form of internet payment before notifying their bank and having their computer or device checked by an expert.

Action Fraud is also appealing to anyone who thinks they may be in receipt of the scam email to report it by calling 0300 123 2040 or by using the online reporting tool available here.

Apple and iTunes is not the first big name to have been impersonated by scam emails and texts in recent months. Royal Mail, Yodel, Hermes and DPD are among those to have warned customers about fraudulent messages whilst there have also been strong warnings about attempts by cyber criminals to exploit the easing of lockdown with fake websites, ticket sites and offers of holiday accommodation which don't exist.

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here

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