"An Unusual Activity Has Been Noticed On Your Account" Outlook Email Scam

An Unusual Activity Has Been Noticed On Your Account Outlook Email Scam

The email messages below: "An unusual activity has been noticed on your Account" and "We noticed some unusual activities in your outlook Account," are phishing scams designed to steal Microsoft Hotmail, Live or Outlook user names and passwords. The email messages were not sent by Microsoft, but by cyber-criminals, whose intentions are to gain access to Microsoft email account users' accounts and use it for malicious purposes.

The Microsoft Hotmail, Live or Outlook Phishing Email Scams

From: Microsoft account team (fabienne.domitile @camerooncatalyst.org)
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2014 5:49:36 AM

Dear Outlook.com Customer,

An unusual activity has been noticed on your Account. We want to make sure that your account is safe and secure.in support of this commitment, you are mandated to re-validate your account immediately to secure it.

Resolve Now

We've taken this precaution to protect our server from spam activities while we make sure that the activity doesn't cause harm--even unintentionally.

Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2014 23:56:03 +0000

From: fabienne.domitile @camerooncatalyst.org
Subject: Microsoft Account Upgrade®

Microsoft account
Action Required To Re-Validate Your Account

Dear Outlook.com Customer,

We noticed some unusual activities in your outlook Account and also Your outlook password was recently changed again if this request was made by you kindly click the link below to secure your account.

Secure My Account

Thanks,
The Microsoft account team

If you have received email messages like these, please go directly to your email account instead of clicking on the links in these email messages. If there is anything wrong with your account, it will be shown to you after signing into account.

If you were tricked by one of these malicious phishing scams, please change your Hotmail/Live/Outlook immediately. This is because, once these cybercriminals gain access to your account, they will lock you out of it by changing your password, and then use it for malicious purposes.

If you are unable to change your password, click here to report it to Microsoft.

This scam is similar to the following:

Check the comment section below for additional information, share what you know, or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below. And, to quickly find answers to your questions, use our search Search engine.

Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.

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Comments, Questions, Answers, or Reviews

Comments (Total: 11)

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May 12, 2016 at 9:49 PM by
"An Unusual Activity Has Been Noticed On Your Account" Outlook Email Scam
an anonymous user from: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

I've just received several emails supposedly from the Outlook Team. The subject line is: "Unusual Activity Detected" and the body of the email says I have used all of my 1GB mailbox storage. The sender is The Outlook Team but the email link is nora.lorentzen@ hotmail.com.

I am assuming this and the other similar messages are phishing.

Delete

May 12, 2016 at 10:17 PM by
"An Unusual Activity Has Been Noticed On Your Account" Outlook Email Scam
info

Yes, they are.

Delete

May 3, 2020 at 9:54 AM by
"An Unusual Activity Has Been Noticed On Your Account" Outlook Email Scam
an anonymous user from: Erbil, Muhafazat Arbil, Iraq

"DUE TO UNUSUAL ACTIVITIES! WE NEED TO VERIFY YOUR REQUEST TO SHOW PASSWORD"

I got this scam.

Delete

March 9, 2016 at 11:51 PM by
"An Unusual Activity Has Been Noticed On Your Account" Outlook Email Scam
an anonymous user from: West Columbia, South Carolina, United States

Yes, I receive an alert scam notice. I changed my code ending in 98 to 67. After consideration, I thought the scammers may have the new number I provided, so I would like to change the latest number I provided to a new phone I got; but, because I have changed the number, I now have to wait 30 days. I would like to change the original number to my new number, instead of the 67. How can I have me called to verify the new number I now want?

Delete

March 3, 2021 at 2:51 PM by
"An Unusual Activity Has Been Noticed On Your Account" Outlook Email Scam
an anonymous user from: South Loop, Chicago, Illinois, United States

6018080810 granthamtony108@gmail.com or lostsole464@gmail.com

Delete

June 16, 2015 at 3:41 AM by
"An Unusual Activity Has Been Noticed On Your Account" Outlook Email Scam
an anonymous user from: Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

I received this email yesterday, 15th June 2015:

- - -

"From: The Microsoft Account Team© (cupj@msn.com)

Sent: 15 June 2015 09:06:29

To:

Microsoft account

Verification activity

We've detected something unusual about your Microsoft account sign-in. For example, signing in from a new location, device, or app.to protect your privacy so you can continue using your account, we need to verify your identity with few security step. click here to get verified.

Thanks,

The Microsoft account team"

- - -

It's quite persuasive, but I was suspicious:

i) At the top, the sender's address is given but my own address isn't given in the "to:" box.

ii) My Microsoft Hotmail account wouldn't show all of the email, giving the standard "Parts of this message have been blocked for your safety" line. If the email really HAD come from Microsoft Hotmail, surely my Microsoft Hotmail account wouldn't have rejected parts of it as being suspicious?

iii) The email alleges "something unusual" happening to my account, but only gives a vague idea of what it might be ("For example..."). Surely if there really was "something unusual" happening, a genuine sender would know exactly what it is?

iv) "...verify your identity with few security step": bad grammar. I'd expect Hotmail to proofread an email like this thoroughly before sending it to a customer whose first language is English. If they were sending the same email to a Spaniard, I'd expect the email to be in perfect Spanish. Bad grammar suggests the sender isn't from a genuine, global company like Microsoft.

v) I googled the exact words of the message and found that the only place it had been quoted verbatim was here: http://www.justanswer .co.uk/ microsoft-office/957vk- hotmail-free-account- tried-sign-usual.html

I've just googled the wording again (to find the link) but it no longer appears in the results of my Google search (I eventually found it in my search history. This might be coincidence. However, whilst this site looks genuine, I was put off slightly by the fact that Microsoft were making public a conversation in which a customer was asked to reveal (and does reveal) her personal email address.

Anyway, I thought I'd let you know about this email, as I haven't experienced any trouble logging into my account and assume it's another phishing scam. Thanks for the article above, as it gave me further hope that my suspicions were correct.

Delete

September 15, 2014 at 5:59 AM by
"An Unusual Activity Has Been Noticed On Your Account" Outlook Email Scam
an anonymous user from: Orlando, Florida, United States

Every time I log into outlook I get a box asking me to go to a link and verify my account. Then I received this e-mail. Sa...@ Hotmail.com is a user on my computer so I know the address. Is this a scam and how do I get the box to stop popping up every time I log into e-mail:

"Good news! The waiting period is over. You can now replace all your security info and change the password for the Microsoft account Sa***@hotmail.com.

As part of this process, your old security info will be deleted and your contact email k***@cfl.rr.com will be added instead.

Click the button below to finish replacing your info."

Delete

September 15, 2014 at 8:28 AM by
"An Unusual Activity Has Been Noticed On Your Account" Outlook Email Scam
info

If any of the links in the email message takes you to one of the following websites it is not a scam:

1. Outlook.com

2. Live.com

3. Hotmail.com

4. Microsoft.com

If you are taken to any other websites, then the email is a scam.

Delete

June 16, 2014 at 2:09 AM by
"An Unusual Activity Has Been Noticed On Your Account" Outlook Email Scam
an anonymous user from: Dallas, Texas, United States

This is a scam.

For one thing, your in your email account already when they ask you to sign in again and re-enter your information by opening up your...email account twice? From the same site? Hmmm.

The only unusual activity is the request to re-enter your information.

That's when they get your name and password. It's like filing a form with all your info and handing it to strangers

Best wishes

Delete

April 24, 2014 at 1:31 PM by
"An Unusual Activity Has Been Noticed On Your Account" Outlook Email Scam
an anonymous user from: Davis, California, United States

I received this email from another address though. Is the sole act of opening this email dangerous? Have you checked if there is any sort of naughty HTML code embedded in it?

Delete

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Online Threat Alerts Security Tips

Pay the safest way

Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.

Guard your personal information

In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.

Be careful of the information you share

Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with

Know who you’re dealing with

Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.

Check your accounts

Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.

Don’t believe promises of easy money

If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.

Do not open email from people you don’t know

If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.

Think before you click

If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.

Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond

If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.

Be careful with links and new website addresses

Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.

Secure your personal information

Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.

Stay informed on the latest cyber threats

Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.

Use Strong Passwords

Strong passwords are critical to online security.

Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs

Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.

Update the operating systems on your electronic devices

Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.

What if You Got Scammed?

Stop Contact With The Scammer

Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.

Secure Your Finances

  • Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
  • Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:

Check Your Computer

If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.

Change Your Account Passwords

Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.

Report The Scam

Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.

Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:

  • Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
  • Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
  • Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.

How To Recognize a Phishing Scam

Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.

Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:

Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might

  • say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
  • claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
  • say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
  • include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
  • want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
  • say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
  • offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real

About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)

Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.

By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.

With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.

Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.

Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).

"An Unusual Activity Has Been Noticed On Your Account" Outlook Email Scam