Yahoo users should be aware of email messages like the one below, which claim that their accounts will be closed down, deactivated, suspended or terminated if they do not click the link in them to verify. The email messages are phishing scam being sent by cybercriminals to steal Yahoo usernames and passwords, by tricking Yahoo users into visiting a phishing website that steals email account credentials.
Sample of a "Yahoo Mail Maintenance and Renewal" Phishing Scam
From: Administrator <geraldpaulasmith@sbcglobal.net>
Date: October 19, 2017 at 12:31:01 PM PDT
Subject: Mails on Hold/2017
Reply-To: Administrator <geraldpaulasmith@sbcglobal.net>
YAHOO! Mail
Dear Users,
We are currently on maintenance check and due to this your account is now on our watch list. You must renew it immediately or your account will be closed or wouldn't be incoming mail or outgoing mail, please verify HERE for verification to avoid account closure.
Sincerely,
YAHOO!
The link in the phishing email message goes to a fake or phishing Yahoo website, which will attempt to trick the potential victims into entering their usernames and passwords on it. If Yahoo users attempt to sign into phishing website with their Yahoo usernames and passwords, it will be sent to the cybercriminals behind the email scam, who will use the information to hijack their accounts. The hijacked Yahoo accounts will then be used by cybercriminals fraudulently.
Remember, if you have received email messages like these, please go directly to your email account at https://mail.yahoo.com, instead of clicking on the links in the email messages. If some needs to be done to your account, it will be shown to you after signing in. And, if you were tricked by one of these phishing scams, please change your password immediately before your Yahoo account is hijacked and used fraudulently.