PEOPLE with iPhones in the UK and Australia have reported their smartphones being hacked and a ransom demanded in order to unlock them.

Users have taken to the official support forums on the Apple website to complain, with iPhone owners reporting that a message appears onscreen saying they have been hacked and must pay between 50 and 100 Australian dollars (£55) in order to get their device unlocked.

According to analysts, the hacker, who identifies themself as 'Oleg Pliss', is using the Find My iPhone app to send the messages and lock devices.

Apple is yet to offer any official comment, but an Australian government website has told users to change the password of their Apple ID, used to log in on Apple devices.