"We Noticed that Your Email Account has been Outdated" Phishing Emails Scamming - Fraud 1 1 1.9K 0 Nov 22, 2016 2016-11-22T19:28:54-05:00 Nov 22, 2016 2016-11-22T19:30:01-05:00 Online Threat Alerts (OTA) Online users who have received e-mail messages (see sample below) claiming that their email accounts are outdated, should not click on the links in the same email messages. This is because cyber-criminals are sending out phishing e-mail messages to potential victims, in an attempt to frighten and trick them into clicking links in the same phishing e-mail messages that go to phishing websites created to steal email account credentials (usernames and passwords). Once the cybercriminals have stolen their potential victims' e-mail account credentials, they will use them to gain unauthorized access to their accounts, hijack the accounts, and use them fraudulently. A Sample of the Phishing EmailDear User,We noticed that your email account has been outdated. Your [email address removed] account has been placed on temporary block, it would be permanently blocked if you do not unblock within 48hours.Click here to upgrade your mailboxNote:Failure to unblock your e-mail account. It will be permanently disabled.Thank you for using our service.Instead of clicking on a link to sign into their accounts, online users should always go directly to their e-mail account providers’ websites and sign into their accounts from there. Once they are signed-in, they will be notified of updates, changes or things they need to do.Online users who have already been tricked by the phishing e-mails are asked to change their passwords immediately, before their e-mail accounts are hijacked and used fraudulently. For those online users whose e-mail accounts have already been hijacked, are asked to contact their I.T support team or email providers for help.