Gmail users who have received emails like the one below, which claim that their requests to terminate their accounts are in progress, are asked to delete them because they are phishing scams. The fake email messages are being sent by cybercriminals to steal Gmail usernames and passwords, by tricking Gmail users into visiting a phishing website that steals email account credentials.
Sample of a "Gmail Account Termination Request" Phishing Scam
From: Update Account <robertmorgan@hotmail.co.uk>
Subject: Final Account Deactivation
Date: November 5, 2017 at 3:42:01 AM EST
To: "member@gmail.com" <member@gmail.com>
Google
We Received Your Request To Terminate Your Gmail Account And Your Request Is In Process Your Account Would Be Terminated Shortly.
If this request was sent to us mistakenly. Please Cancel the termination request now.
Proceed here to cancel termination request
The link in the phishing email message goes to a fake or phishing Gmail website, which will attempt to trick the potential victims into entering their usernames and passwords on it. If Gmail users attempt to sign into the phishing website with their 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 Gmail accounts will then be used by cybercriminals fraudulently.
Remember, if you receive email messages like these, please go directly to your email account instead of clicking on the links in the email messages. If there is anything wrong with 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 Gmail account is hijacked. If your account has already been hijacked, click here for help regaining access to it.