Legitimate email?

I have my 20 year pin, still on the card.

I'm guessing you know all of this, but here it is anywho.

In Mail, click on the email. At the right, click on the disclosure arrow to see where the email really came from.

Using a recent Amazon email as an example:

The grayed out @amazon.com address confirms it did come from Amazon. You should see a similar sender name for your email. If it's something goofy, it's not from Apple.

My recent 20 year pin arrived after an email that started with “Dear stedman1”. It was legit.

jla930 wrote:

I have been a member of the support community since October 4, 2006, so it’s been 20 years. It seems that if this is a scam, whoever is doing it would have no idea of my 20 year participation. My trick knee makes me a little hesitant to give out my mailing address, but if it is legitimate and the gift is something usable, I’d hate to pass it up.

That's the right address. Does it start with "Hello <your real name>? Does it have a picture like this?

If so, it's legitimate.

jla930 wrote:

if it is legitimate and the gift is something usable, I’d hate to pass it up.

The correct approach in any suspected phishing attempt is to contact the other party through some other known, official contact point. In this case, that would be the Apple Support Community Terms of Use at the bottom of this web page.

There is a contact e-mail address in that document, and it's different than the e-mail address you're asking about. Sadly, that points to it being more legitimate. In most cases, if an e-mail seems like it could be a phishing attack, it probably isn't. Actual scammers are usually better at it. Savvy scammers will have you do the work to self-select yourself out of the scam pool and maximize their profits. If this were a scam with you as the target, you wouldn't be suspicious about it in the first place. 😄

Unfortunately, corporate IRS rules typically prevent these kinds of gifts from being all that useable. I think it's just a pin - a heavily overpackaged, overpaid, fed-ex express shipped pin and "thank you" card.

Welcome and thank you for reaching out. 🤗

I can certainly understand your concern and appreciate your willingness to place your trust in our community.

I have received my anniversary pin several years ago and can confirm that you are in good company.

I also wish to congratulate you on your 20-year anniversary milestone with us here at the Apple Support Community! 🥂

I sincerely hope you accept the gift being offered to you.

Take care! 👋🏼😉

Smiliñ 😎 Brian | Community Volunteer

jla930 wrote:

@IdrisSeabright, it says “Hi jla930”, and the picture you show.

That's probably right. My most recent email had my name, but that may have something to do with the fact that I bother the Hosts a lot!

It sounds very legitimate to me. The pins are real.

I have been a member of the support community since October 4, 2006, so it’s been 20 years. It seems that if this is a scam, whoever is doing it would have no idea of my 20 year participation. My trick knee makes me a little hesitant to give out my mailing address, but if it is legitimate and the gift is something usable, I’d hate to pass it up.

jla930 wrote:

I have been a member of the support community since October 4, 2006, so it’s been 20 years. It seems that if this is a scam, whoever is doing it would have no idea of my 20 year participation. My trick knee makes me a little hesitant to give out my mailing address, but if it is legitimate and the gift is something usable, I’d hate to pass it up.

Hello once more~ I absolutely can see your concern. Usable…;-)

~Katana-San~

Hello~ Have you indeed participated for 20 years? Yes… this can be legitimate for points levels and years of participation.

~Katana-San~

@IdrisSeabright, it says “Hi jla930”, and the picture you show.

@Smilin-Brian, I responded to the email with my name and address. I decided to trust it. Thanks.

jla930 wrote:

I responded to the email with my name and address. I decided to trust it. Thanks.

Congratulations on twenty years!

@IdrisSeabright, thanks for the congrats.