"Account update - Verification Due to Recent Upgrade in our Database" Phishing Scam

Recipients of the email message below with the subject: "Account update," which claims Outlook is conducting a verification check due to recent database upgrade, are asked to delete the email and not follow the instructions in it. The fake email message is a phishing scam sent by cyber-criminals to trick recipients into sending them their personal information, which the cyber-crooks will use to scam the same recipients.

The Outlook or Hotmail Phishing Email

From: Outlook Team database931@ outlook.com
Date: April 1, 2016 at 11:00:53 PM PDT
To: database@ hotmail.com
Subject: Account update
We are conducting a verification due to recent upgrade in our database. Reconfirm your email account so that it will be recorded in our new database system to avoid losing your account permanently.
Date of birth
Phone
Country

It is important that online or internet users know that in order to protect themselves against phishing scams, they should never click on a link to sign into your online accounts. They should instead, go directly to their online accounts’ website and sign into their accounts from there. If there is a problem with their accounts, they will be notified as soon as they have signed in.