Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro issued a consumer alert Wednesday, warning people to be careful of the malicious misuse of Apple AirTags.

Since Apple's release of AirTags in April of 2021, there have been reports of individuals finding AirTags attached to their cars, purses, and other personal property without their knowledge.

Shapiro says others have reported receiving phone alerts that their location is being tracked, even if they have not found an AirTag on them or their belongings.

"It's vital all Pennsylvanians, especially women and survivors of sexual assault and abuse know about how these devices can be misused and turned into a threat," said AG Shapiro.

To keep consumers and their belongings safe, Shapiro recommends taking the following steps.

First, be aware if your surroundings. Pay attention to any unfamiliar beeping. When an AirTag is separated from its associated device for a time, it will start to beep. If you hear a beeping noise, you should try to locate the sources. Check bags and pockets, underneath your car, inside bumpers, and behind license plates. In the event you find an AirTag, hold your smartphone up to it to receive information about the AirTag. This will show the tag's serial number. Write the serial number down, and then disable the tag by using the instructions on the screen or removing its battery. You should then call police to report the incident.

A second tip is to watch for "Items Detected Near You" notifications on your iPhone. Your iPhone will notify you if it has been close to an unfamiliar AirTag for a prolonged period of time. The notification will come from the 'Find My' app. If you tap this message, it will give an option to play a sound on the AirTag to help you locate it. The app will also allow you to receive information about the tag and disable it. The 'Find My' feature is only available on iOS 14.5 or later, so it is important to keep your device's operating system up to date.

Shapiro's report noted that not all unfamiliar AirTags are malicious, and sometimes users legitimately lose their AirTags. Your device will notify you regardless. If an AirTag near you has been reported lost, your 'Find My' notification will give you the proper information to return it.

He also mentions to keep in mind that it's not just AirTags to be weary of. Tile, GPS Trackers, and similar products pose the same risk.

"In the wrong hands, these tracking devices could lead to disaster," said Shapiro. "Pennsylvanians should know what to watch out for and how to protect themselves."

If you believe you have found a misused AirTag or similar device on you or your belongings, you should contact local law enforcement.