"Update to 2017 Outlook - Microsoft Security info" Phishing Scam

Update to 2017 Outlook - Microsoft Security info Phishing Scam

The email message below with the subject: "Update to 2017 Outlook," which claims the recipients need to update their accounts to prevent some of their incoming and old messages from getting deleted automatically, is a phishing scam sent by cybercriminals, and not by Microsoft. The fake email message was created by cybercriminals to frighten and trick the recipients into clicking on the link within it. The link goes to a phishing website or a fake website looking like Microsoft’s website, created by cybercriminals to trick potential victims into entering their Microsoft account usernames and passwords on it, by asking them to sign in. But, any attempts to sign into the fake website, will result in the victims’ Microsoft account usernames and passwords being sent to cybercriminals.

Once cybercriminals have gotten their potential victims’ account credentials (usernames and passwords), they will use it to hijack their Microsoft accounts and use them fraudulently. Therefore, recipients of the phishing email message (see below) who were tricked into clicking on the link within it and have attempted to sign into the phishing or fake website that they were taken, are asked to change their Microsoft account passwords immediately, before they are hijacked and used fraudulently by cybercriminals.

The "Update to 2017 Outlook - Microsoft Security info" Phishing Scam

From: Microsotf Account Team ptsteelfab@hotmail.com

Date: 10/01/2017 23:55 (GMT+07:00)

To: noreply@hotmail.com

Subject: Update to 2017 Outlook

Microsoft Security info

Your Microsoft Account needs to be updated, and this will cause some of your incoming and old messages to get deleted automatically.

If you are still an active user please Verify Your User Email to continue usage.

This is to protect your account from spam, click the button below.

Update your account

Note: Please do the ignore the this Email Not to Avoid Blocking of messages, failure to do SO Within 48hrs your Account Suspended Till Verified Will BE ..

Thanks.

The Microsoft account team.

2017 the Microsoft . Support. All Rights Reserved ..

Microsoft users should never click on a link to sign into their accounts, they should instead, go directly to https://account.microsoft.com/ and sign-in from there. If there is something that needs to be done to their accounts, they will be notified. This is will prevent Microsoft users from visiting phishing websites disguised as legitimate Microsoft website that steals account credentials.

Check the comment section below for additional information, share what you know, or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below. And, to quickly find answers to your questions, use our search Search engine.

Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.
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Comments, Questions, Answers, or Reviews

Comments (Total: 29)

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  • April 6, 2018 at 10:02 AM by an anonymous user from: Brainerd, Minnesota, United States

    Received the following message on cell phone with Verizon.

    "Sign in attempted was blocked for your link XXXXXXXXX@hotmail.com. Someone just used your password to sign into your account."

    Then tells to check activity on account. Then wants me to view account and,make changes to preferences. The email is from Mountain View CA. Is this a scam. It was sent to my 97 yr old mother. Thanks.

    • April 6, 2018 at 11:50 AM by info

      We need the actual message to determine if it is a scam. Please forward it to us at info@onlinethreatalerts.com

  • March 20, 2018 at 10:50 AM by an anonymous user from: Humble, Texas, United States

    I get an email asking for phone number or my outlook account will be terminated.

    • March 20, 2018 at 1:56 PM by info

      It is a scam.

  • February 9, 2018 at 7:19 AM by an anonymous user from: Plainfield, New Jersey, United States

    I got a similar notice (not the exact wording) today. I will mark it phishing scam as usual.

  • November 3, 2017 at 12:15 PM by an anonymous user from: Sunnyvale, California, United States

    I don't use my computer very often. Today a message was left via telephone message telling me my Microsoft Windows system needed upgrading and this is a very serious message. The number left to contact their technicians is 1- 877- 801 -4940. Maybe someone better at computer stuff than me can get word to Microsoft about this.

  • November 2, 2017 at 7:04 AM by an anonymous user from: Zurich, Switzerland

    How do I BLOCK THESE emails coming. I GET the same email every couple of weeks AND THEN everyday for a week.

    • November 2, 2017 at 7:27 AM by info

      Flag them as spam or phishing scam so they are automatically sent to your spam/junk folder or deleted.

  • November 1, 2017 at 9:19 AM by an anonymous user from: Hicksville, New York, United States

    The email was from hyde-d@hotmail.com and said I needed to click the "Update Account" link. I did not.

  • October 24, 2017 at 3:20 PM by an anonymous user from: Wellington, New Zealand

    I received this today. It was entitled "Final Notice"

    - start of scam -

    From MAIL2017 roofingandbuildingsolutions@Outlook.com

    To update teams01@hotmail.com

    Your mailbox will expire on October 30th, 2017

    Dear User,

    We are currently updating the windows services agreement and privacy statement. Please keep your security information updated. This is for your own safety.

    DO NOT IGNORE THIS NOTICE!

    UPDATE NOW

    NOTE: YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WILL BE CLOSED IF NOT UPDATED. (UPDATE IS FREE)

  • October 17, 2017 at 5:59 AM by an anonymous user from: Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    I havé received a message. Email block is processing from a pseudo Microsoft team and asking to update security before October 20th. What is about? Scam? Phishing?

    • October 17, 2017 at 7:31 AM by info

      It is a phishing scam.

  • July 24, 2017 at 7:05 AM by an anonymous user from: Port of Spain, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago

    "Upgrade 2017 processed

    Account Update

    Mon 7/24/2017 3:47 AM

    no_replyuser@outlook.com

    Account Upgrade 2017

    We are asking users to upgrade due to recent security incidents online.

    This is for your own safety to continue using your account, click the button below.

    Update Nοw

    To opt out or change where you receive security notifications,click here.

    Please do nοt ignore this email to avοid your account been closed.

    Thanks,

    Account Upgrade 2017

    copyright Reserved..."

    I got this in my email. Is this genuine?

    • July 24, 2017 at 8:34 AM by info

      No, it not genuine, it is a phishing scam.

  • May 14, 2017 at 7:17 AM by an anonymous user from: Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan

    "From: Email Admin Team <rcby54@hotmail.com>

    Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2017 4:32 PM

    To: Microsoft

    Subject: Fw: Notification

    Dear user,

    We noticed that some of your incoming emails was placed on-hold due to you are still operating on our old version.

    Take a minute to update your account below to enjoy our full security protection.

    Continue and update

    Note: Failure to update your account on or before 16th May will lead to permanent disable of your account from our database.

    Thank you

    Copyright © 2017 Member team"

    I have received this email please guide if this is scam or original? Many thanks.

    • May 14, 2017 at 7:33 AM by info

      It is a scam. Delete the email message.

  • May 9, 2017 at 11:25 AM by an anonymous user from: Petah Tikva, Merkaz, Israel

    Hi, I've just received this email, saying my account will be blocked. True or false?

    Thank you, Gali

    "FINAL-WARNING UPGRADE

    MT

    Mail team ‏<h_chami@hotmail.com>

    16:32

    notificationmail@outlook.com

    Your Account Will Be Blocked!

    Your Account will Expire within 48hours

    If you would like to continue using your Email Address,

    Upgrade Your Account Now

    YOU WILL LOSE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IF YOU DO NOT

    YOUR ACCOUNT

    UPGRADE IS FREE OFF CHARGE.

    Thanks.

    Microsf account team! ©2017 All Rights Reserved"

    • May 9, 2017 at 12:25 PM by info

      False. All emails which claim your account will be blocked are phishing scams. Just delete them.

  • March 29, 2017 at 7:28 PM by an anonymous user from: Auckland, New Zealand

    Received the following scam:

    "From: a-tavor@spni.org.il

    To:no-reply@microsoft.portal

    MICROSOFT OUTLOOK NOTIFICATION

    Your email box account needs to be verify now for irregularities found in your email box account or your email box account will be suspended now immediately

    Microsoft Outlook Copyright © 2017"

  • March 17, 2017 at 12:37 PM by an anonymous user from: Newark, New Jersey, United States

    I have had a hotmail account for decades. I few days ago, I was unable to sign in, and was forced to change my hotmail account to an Outlook account. However, none of my e-mails, folders and contacts from my hotmail account were transferred, and I could no longer access them. I started an online chat with Outlook support, and suddenly got a message asking for my phone number. I wondered about that but entered my number. I received a call from someone asking me to do a huge number of things, and finally told me that the only way he could transfer my hotmail account information into the Outlook account is if I upgraded my Apple computer to a newer version of their Sierra OS. It came with a price tag (I forgot how much). I said under no circumstances would I pay anything, period. The caller hung up abruptly. I googled that Sierra OS, and Apple upgrades for free. I know was a scammer trying to extort money, but don't know how it worked, or how I can protect myself from these people, or even if I am talking to a true Support Person or a scammer. I trust no one at this point.

    • March 17, 2017 at 2:43 PM by info

      A legitimate technical support will never ask you for your account password. And, never give out your credit card information over the phone. Also, it is important that you never follow the instructions of someone who calls you claiming he/she is a technical support representative. This is because technical support doesn't call people, it is people who call technical support.

      You should never call telephone numbers you find on the internet that people claim are Outlook or Microsoft technical support numbers. Always go to Microsoft's website for information.

  • February 21, 2017 at 2:36 AM by an anonymous user from: Singapore, Central Singapore, Singapore

    I got this email:

    "Dear Outlook Account User,

    Your e-mail will expire soon.You would be blocked from sending and receiving emails if not confirmed within 24hrs of receiving this automated mail. Update through the link below to avoid deactivation.

    Please confirm your email by clicking this Link.

    The Outlook Team

    Copyright © 2017"

    Is this a fake email?

    • February 21, 2017 at 5:11 AM by info

      Yes, it is a fake.

  • February 10, 2017 at 7:13 PM by an anonymous user from: Wheat Ridge, Colorado, United States

    While I didn't get the scam email, I now cannot open Outlook. What to do?

    • February 10, 2017 at 8:04 PM by info

      Try reinstalling it.

  • February 6, 2017 at 11:06 AM by info

    Here is another scam:

    "From: Microsoft account team accountsecurityteam@btinternet.com

    Sent: Wednesday, 14 December 2016 6:52 PM

    To: noreply@hotmail.com

    Subject: Action required

    Hi User,

    Your incoming mails were placed on pending status, due to our recent updated latest features for improved service.

    Please you are required to help us protect your account due to recent cyber crime.

    In other to get the pending messages delivered.

    Follow the link below to resolve issue. sorry for the inconveniences caused to you.

    Continue with Verification

    Sincerely,

    Microsoft Team Copyright 2016"

  • January 28, 2017 at 2:56 PM by an anonymous user from: Toluca de Lerdo, Mexico, Mexico

    Is Outlook IT Security Team 2017 bogus?

    • January 28, 2017 at 3:35 PM by info

      Yes, there is no such team.

  • January 14, 2017 at 11:45 PM by info

    Here is another scam:

    "From: microsoft account team [postservice00026@outlook.com]

    Sent: Friday, January 13, 2017 3:29 AM

    To: no_reply@outlook.com

    Subject: Microsoft 2017 update request/ warning alert!

    Microsoft account

    Security update alert

    Dear Outlook User,

    We noticed that your incoming emails was placed on-hold due to you are still operating in our old version.

    Take a minute to update your account below for safer and full-featured Outlook experience.

    Click here for your new update

    Failure to update your account on or before 15th. Jan. 2017 will lead to permanently shutdown of your account from our database.

    Thanks,

    Microsoft Account Team

    ©2017 Microsoft Inc. All Rights Reserve"

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"Update to 2017 Outlook - Microsoft Security info" Phishing Scam