Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.
Scamming - Fraud
The email message below: "RESET ALERT CONFIRMATION 2017," is a fake. The fake email message was NOT sent by Microsoft, but by cyber-criminals, who created the fake email message to frighten their potential victims' into clicking on the link in it, which goes to a phishing website that steals Microsoft Hotmail, Live, or Outlook user names and passwords. So, recipients of the fake email message should not click on the link or follow the instructions in it. The link in the phishing email message will take recipients who have clicked on it to a phishing Microsoft Hotmail or Outlook website, where they will be asked to sign-in. Once the potential victims attempt to sign-in, their email account credentials(usernames and passwords) will be sent to the cyber-criminals behind the phishing scam. Once cyber-criminals are in possession of their victims' email account credentials, they will hijack and use their victims' email accounts fraudulently.
From: Outlook © no@prestold566.netSent: 10 January 2017 15:18Subject: RESET ALERT CONFIRMATION™ 2017Verify your accountHi user,Your Outlook.com Account needs to be verified to avoid De-activation.January 2017 00:28:50 -0500You have less than 24hrs.Click the button below to continue using this serviceContinue with VerificationAttention!! : ACCOUNT OWNER THAT REFUSES TO CONFIRM HIS/HER ACCOUNT AFTER 24 HRS OF RECEIVING THIS WARNING WILL LOSE HIS OR HER ACCOUNT PERMANENTLY. DO NOT IGNORE THIS NOTICE.Regards,Thanks for using OutlookThe Microsoft account teamCopyright © 2017 Microsoft.All the best,The Outlook Teams
From: Outlook © no@prestold566.netSent: 10 January 2017 15:18Subject: RESET ALERT CONFIRMATION™ 2017
Verify your account
Hi user,
Your Outlook.com Account needs to be verified to avoid De-activation.
January 2017 00:28:50 -0500
You have less than 24hrs.
Click the button below to continue using this service
Continue with Verification
Attention!! : ACCOUNT OWNER THAT REFUSES TO CONFIRM HIS/HER ACCOUNT AFTER 24 HRS OF RECEIVING THIS WARNING WILL LOSE HIS OR HER ACCOUNT PERMANENTLY. DO NOT IGNORE THIS NOTICE.
Regards,Thanks for using OutlookThe Microsoft account teamCopyright © 2017 Microsoft.All the best,The Outlook Teams
Microsoft users who were tricked into entering their user names and passwords on the fake or phishing Outlook website are asked to change their password immediately.
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Is this another phishing scam? (received April 17 2018):"Outlook.comDear User,Your email requires immediate verification for update . Click below to update your Hotmail accountSign InThank You for Being A Loyal Outlook Mail User We hope you enjoy the newest version of Outlook. Mail team! ©2018 All Rights Reserved"
Yes, it is a phishing scam.
Here is another scam: "From: MSN.com TEAM Sent: Thursday, April 5, 2018 11:22:58 AM To: securitycheck@microsoft.com Subject: ❶✉ Mail On Hold Microsοft Hi User, We received your request to change and reset the recovery email address of your account in another windows location. Complete your request below: Confirm request If you did not make this request, please Cancel request Nοte: Do nοt ignore this email to avοid account de-activation Thanks, Email Service."
I received the following email on 3 Jan 2017 which I believe to be a phishing scam:"RESET ALERT VERIFICATIONFrom: Account Update (alarooj_qila@hotmail.comTo: verification@outlook.com Security Info UpdateDear UserThis is to inform you for the final time that 10th January 2018, We will discontinue support on your account and security.If you choose not to renew your account on or before 5th January 2018, your email will be blocked and you will not be able to read and send emails from the 5th January 2018, and you will no longer have access to your email and many of the latest features for improved, conversations, contacts and attachments.Take a minute to renew your account for a faster, safer and full-featured experience. Renew Your AccountThanks for using serviceRegards,Customer Member Service"
Here is another scam: "From: Microsoft.com User Sent: Monday, December 11, 2017 6:26 PM Subject: RESET ALERT CONFIRMATION™ Outlook.com Dear User, Your email requires immediate verification for an update. Click below to update your account Sign In If you choose not to update your account on or before 15th Dec 2017, your account will be permanently deleted from our database. Thank You for Being A Loyal Outlook Mail User We hope you enjoy the newest version of Outlook. Mail team! ©2017 All Rights Reserved"
Here is another scam: "From: Microsoft.com Member Date: 3 December 2017 at 16:51:28 GMT Subject: RESET ALERT CONFIRMATION™ Outlook.com Dear User, Your email requires immediate verification for an update. Click below to update your account Sign In If you choose not to update your account on or before 7th Dec 2017, your account will be permanently deleted from our database. Thank You for Being A Loyal Outlook Mail User We hope you enjoy the newest version of Outlook. Mail team! ©2017 All Rights Reserved"
Please advise as I have already followed the instruction.
Change your password
Here is another scam: - Forwarded message - "From: Security info Date: Thu, Jul 6, 2017 at 1:37 PM Subject: RESET ACCOUNT CONFIRMATION™2017 Dear User You will be blocked from sending and receiving emails if not confirmed within 24hrs of receiving this automated mail. You are the Required You to Update through The Link below. Click Here Regards, Customer Care."
I received this notification at 8:23 on 5/17/17. It claimed to be from: Microsoft.com Member Services. The message informed me that my email account had reached or was about to reach its limit according to the administrator. The message went further to say that I would not be able to receive future emails until I re-validated my account. It requested that I click to "Re-validate your mailbox". Finding it suspicious, I did not reply. I reported it as a phishing scam.
Here is another scam: "From: Microsoft.com account team Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 1:40 AM To: member_service@outlook.com Subject: FINAL WARNING **Microsoft account Reset Alert OUTLOOK Dear member, We have received your request to close your email account and it's about to be processed, To cancel this request and retain your account kindly verify your account Verify My Account The link Above will expire in 24 hours OUTLOOK Team"
