"Microsoft Users Update" - Outlook Phishing Email Scam
The email message below:"Microsoft Users Update," which claims that Microsoft Outlook will discontinue support on the recipients' accounts, which will make them unable to send or read email messages if they do not update their accounts before April 25, is a phishing scam designed to steal Microsoft user names and passwords. The email message was not sent by Microsoft, but by cyber-criminals, whose intentions are to hijack email accounts and use them for malicious purposes. So, recipients of the same email message are advised to delete and do not follow the instructions in it.
The Phishing Microsoft Email Message
Subject: Microsoft Users Update
Dear Email User,
This is to inform you that on 25th April, 2015, Microsoft Outlook will discontinue support on your account and security.
If you choose not to update your account on or before 25th April, 2015, you will not be able to read and send emails, and you will no longer have access to many of the latest features for improved, conversations, contacts and attachments.
Take a minute to update your account for a faster, safer and full-featured Microsoft
To verify your Microsoft account CLICK HERE
Sincerely
Outlook.com Team
Microsoft respects your privacy. Review our online Privacy Statement.
Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
The link in the email message goes to a fake Outlook or Microsoft website, which will attempt to trick the cyber-criminals' potential victims into entering their usernames and passwords on it.
If the potential victims enter their Microsoft Outlook, Hotmail, Live usernames and passwords on the fake website, it will be sent to the cyber-criminals behind the email scam, who will use the information to hijack their accounts.
If you have received the same email message, please go directly to your email account instead of clicking on the links in the email message. And, if there is anything wrong with your account, it will be shown to you after signing into account.
If you were tricked by the phishing email, please change your Microsoft Hotmail/Live/Outlook immediately. If you are unable to, click here to report it to Microsoft.
This scam is similar to the following:
- Outlook Phishing Scam: "Final Warning (Account Will Be Closed) "
- Microsoft Outlook Phishing Scam: Immediate Attention Required
- Hotmail Reset Confirmation 2014 - Phishing Email Scam
- Hotmail Account Reset Alert Confirmation 2013
- Phishing or Fake Emails: Account Close Alert
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Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.