We’ve all gotten the message: You’re almost out of cloud storage space. All you need to do is pay a little extra and the problem goes away.

But is that email from Apple, Microsoft or Google real? How can you be sure the link to upgrade for virtual storage isn’t part of a scam designed to separate you from your money?

The best thing to do, according to the Federal Trade Commissionin , is contact the company you deal with directly. (Don’t have cloud storage? Delete the email and report.)

Don’t click on the link the message and instead use a number or website you know to be real or log into your cloud account to see if you really do need more storage space.

Like other phishing scams, the emails are designed to look legitimate and to encourage you to click the link where you may be asked to pay money. Or, the link will open your device to malware installation that can compromise your personal information.

How to protect yourself

If you receive a bogus cloud upgrade message, the FTC recommends you:

• Forward the email to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected]
• Report phishing text messages on the messaging app you use or forward the text message to SPAM (7726).
• Report the phishing attempt to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.