"We Noticed that Your Email Account has been Outdated" Phishing Emails
Online users who have received e-mail messages (see sample below) claiming that their email accounts are outdated, should not click on the links in the same email messages.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 Email
Dear 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We noticed that your email account has been outdated.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 mailbox
Note:
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.
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Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.