Email users, please be aware of the phishing email message below, which claims that the recipients’ email accounts are in the process of being upgraded to new servers with an enhanced online email interface. The fake email message was sent by cybercriminals to frighten email users, especially Outlook and Hotmail users, into sending them their email account user names and passwords. Once the cybercriminals get hold of their potential victims’ email account user names and passwords, they will hijack their email accounts and use them fraudulently. Legitimate companies will never ask their users to send them their passwords via email message. Therefore, if an email message requests such information, it was sent by a cybercriminal.
Recipients of the fake email message, who were already tricked by it into sending the cybercrimes their email account user names and passwords, should change their email account passwords immediately before their accounts are hijacked.
The Phishing “Scheduled Maintenance & Upgrade” Email Message
Subject: Scheduled Maintenance & Upgrade
From: sleghissa@tesmec.com
Date: Fri, 20 May 2016 02:44:32 +0100
Help Desk
Scheduled Maintenance & Upgrade
Your account is in the process of being upgraded to a newest
Windows-based servers and an enhanced online email interface inline with internet infrastructure Maintenance. The new servers will provide better anti-spam and anti-virus functions, along with IMAP Support for mobile devices to enhance your usage.
To ensure that your account is not disrupted but active during and after this upgrade, you are required to kindly confirm your account by stating the details below:
* Domain\user name:
* Password:
This will prompt the upgrade of your account.
Failure to acknowledge the receipt of this notification, might result to a temporary deactivation of your account from our database. Your account shall remain active upon your confirmation of your login details.
During this maintenance window, there may be periods of interruption to email services. This will include sending and receiving email in Outlook, on webmail, and on mobile devices. Also, if you leave your Mailbox open during the maintenance period, you may be prompted to close and reopen.
We appreciate your patience as this maintenance is performed and we do apologize for any inconveniences caused.
Sincerely,
Customer Care Team