The message below with the subject: "Microsoft Account Storage Limit Upgrade," which claims the recipients need to upgrade their Microsoft account because their account memory space is almost full, is a phishing scam sent by cybercriminal to steal their potential victims’ email account credentials. The link in the email message goes to a phishing website disguised as Microsoft Outlook website. If visitors to the phishing website attempt to sign-in, their account credentials will be sent to the cybercriminals behind the scam. And, once cybercriminals have stolen their victims’ email account credentials, they will gain access to their accounts, hijack and use them fraudulently.
A Sample of the "Microsoft Account Storage Limit Upgrade" Phishing Email
From: 0UTL00K security esuarybr@hotmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 12:15 AM
Subject: Microsoft account storage limit upgrade
Microsoft Storage Upgrade
Your Microsoft account requires upgrade. Your account memory space is almost full. Upgrade to the new memory space allocated to your account to continue enjoying unlimited Microsoft e-mail service
What do you need to do?
Kindly click "Upgrade now" below to restart account for upgrade process to avoid violating the Microsoft
Services Agreement.
UPGRADE NOW
Thank you for using Microsoft services.
Online users who have already been tricked by the phishing emails, are asked to change their passwords immediately before their accounts are hijacked or used fraudulently. For Microsoft users whose email accounts have already been hijacked, may click here for help to recover their accounts.