Beware of "Your Microsoft Account has Reached an Upgrade" Phishing Scams

Updated: June 7, 2017 2017-06-07T09:54:48 -
Posted: June 7, 2017 2017-06-07T09:39:52
Views: 1,438
Comments: 13

The email message below which claims the recipients' Microsoft accounts have reached an upgraded stage, is a phishing scam sent by cyber criminals, and not by Microsoft. The fake email message was created by cyber criminals 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 cyber criminals 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 cyber criminals.

Please continue reading below.

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 cyber criminals.

Sample of the "Your Microsoft Account has Reached an Upgrade" Phishing Scam

From: Windows_live update <user-maintenance-team1001@outlook.com>

Sent: June 6, 2017 7:44 PM

To: member_service@outlook.com

Subject: Your Microsoft account has reached an Upgrade

E-mail Upgrade

Your Microsoft account has reached an Upgrade stage. Verify Your User Email to continue usage.

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

Update Now

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

Note: Please do not ignore this email to avoid your account been closed

Thanks,

The Microsoft account team.

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 steal account credentials.

Note: Some of the names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers in email samples on this website may have been impersonated.

Please share what you know or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below. Also, check the comment section below for additional information, if there is any.

Remember to forward suspicious, malicious, or phishing email messages to us at the following email address: info@onlinethreatalerts.com

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Comments, Questions, Answers, or Reviews

(Total: 13)

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Nov 2, 2018 at 10:55 AM by info
Here is another scam:

"From: Microsoft.com account team <adm-reply032452455667777@outlook.com>
Sent: 01 November 2018 10:58
To: Microsoft.com account team
Subject: Your account has reached an upgrading stage! (Verify)

Microsoft

Your Services Agreement made clearer

Improve Conversations, Contacts and Attachments
You’re receiving this email because we are updating the Microsoft Services Agreement, which applies to one or more Microsoft products or services you use. We’re making these updates to clarify our terms and ensure that they remain transparent for you, as well as to cover new Microsoft products, services and features.

You can also learn more about these updates on our FAQ page here, including a summary of the most notable changes. The updates to the Microsoft Services Agreement will take effect on November 5th, 20‍18. If you wish to continue to use our products and services UPDATE your account on or before November 5, 20‍18, to avoid service interruption,and your account being closed.

If you do not agree, you can choose to discontinue using the products and services, and close your Microsoft account before these terms become effective.

Thank you for using Microsoft products and services."
remove
Oct 29, 2018 at 8:29 AM by an anonymous user from Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Here is another email that looks as a scam received today:

"You’re receiving this email because we are updating the Microsoft Services Agreement, which applies to one or more Microsoft products or services you use. We’re making these updates to clarify our terms and ensure that they remain transparent for you, as well as to cover new Microsoft products, services and features.

You can also learn more about these updates on our FAQ page here, including a summary of the most notable changes. The updates to the Microsoft Services Agreement will take effect on November 5th, 20‍18. If you wish to continue to use our products and services UPDATE your account on or before November 5, 20‍18, to avoid service interruption,and your account being closed.

If you do not agree, you can choose to discontinue using the products and services, and close your Microsoft account before these terms become effective.

Thank you for using Microsoft products and services."
remove
Sep 12, 2018 at 4:58 PM by info
Here is another scam:

-------- Original message --------
From: Microsoft Office365 <taquanpinder95@hotmail.com>
Date: 13/9/18 1:55 am (GMT 10:00)
To: noreplyto@hotmail.com
Subject: 📬Your Mail-Box has reached an upgrade stage

CLOSURE OF EMAIL

You would be blocked from sending and receiving emails if you do not confirm within 24 hrs of receiving this automated mail.

If you wish to continue using your account update now to continue using our service.

Click here to update

Notice: Ignoring this message will cause your account to be terminated without your permission.

Thank you
2018 © Mail Team
remove
Jun 19, 2018 at 12:43 PM by info
Here is another scam:

"From: Mail Support <sjmasonryllc@hotmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2018 3:22:24 PM
To: Mail Support
Subject: 📬Your Mail-Box has reached an upgrade stage.

Account Update
Your account may be closed on 02/06/2018

Dear Attn User

This message is being sent to you to inform you that your account is will to be closed at 02/06/2018

If you wish to continue using this account please upgrade to our services. Ignoring this message will cause the account to be closed

Update your account

Note: This upgrade is required immediately after receiving this message

Thank you
Account admin"
remove
May 24, 2018 at 10:30 AM by an anonymous user from Birmingham, England, United Kingdom
Yes just received exactly that message you have published. Glad I checked here first.
remove
Apr 25, 2018 at 10:11 AM by info
Here is another scam:

"From: Microsoft.com team Outlook <outlookmembersgropus_noreply@systemteamsinfomation.com>
Date: 25 April 2018 at 8:42:11 am GMT 4
To: Microsoft.com account team <servingyoubetter.microsftoutllook@outlook.com>
Subject: Email Account Final Warning

Microsoft

Dear User,
This is to inform you that your account has reached the upgrade stage, due to you're using the old version of Microsoft. Take a minute to configure your account for a faster, safer and full-featured Microsoft account experience.

Your account will be closed in the next 48 hours if not configured to the new version.

Click here to configure your account

Thank you.
Microsoft Customer Support.
Copyright 2018 Inc"
remove
Feb 14, 2018 at 2:12 PM by info
Here is another scam:

"From: Admin Team
Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2018 2:16 AM
To: Admin Team
Subject: EMAIL DE-ACTIVATION !!

Microsoft

Dear Outlook User,

This is to inform you that your Your Microsoft Account has reached an Upgrade stage, due to you are using our old version of Microsoft Outlook

If you choose not to update your account on or before 1t5h of February 2018, your account will be permanently deleted from our database.

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

Click Here To Update Your Outlook Account

Thank You for Being A Loyal Outlook Mail User
We hope you enjoy the newest version of Outlook.

Thank you.
Windows Live ID Customer Support.
Copyright 2018 Inc"
remove
Feb 13, 2018 at 1:12 AM by info
Here is another scam:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Microsoft.com Office365" <dez_des@live.com>
Date: Feb 12, 2018 11:18 AM
Subject: Re: EMAIL DE-ACTIVATION !!
To: "Microsoft.com Office365" <dez_des@live.com>

Microsoft

Dear Outlook User,

This is to inform you that your Your Microsoft Account has reached an Upgrade stage, due to you are using our old version of Microsoft Outlook
If you choose not to update your account on or before 14th of February 2018, your account will be permanently deleted from our database.
Take a minute to update your account for a faster, safer and full-featured Microsoft Outlook experience.
ClickHere To Update Your Outlook Account

Thank You for Being A Loyal Outlook Mail User
We hope you enjoy the newest version of Outlook.

Thank you.
Windows Live ID Customer Support.
Copyright 2018 Inc
remove
Jan 12, 2018 at 5:00 AM by info
Here is another scam:

"From: Microsoft.com Office365 <thegentrys@hotmail.co.uk>
Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2018 10:48:53 PM
To: Microsoft.com Office365
Subject: Re: EMAIL DE-ACTIVATION!!

Microsoft

Dear Outlook User,

This is to inform you that your Your Microsoft Account has reached an Upgrade stage, due to you are using our old version of Microsoft Outlook
If you choose not to update your account on or before 13th January 2018, your account will be permanently deleted from our database.
Take a minute to update your account for a faster, safer and full-featured Microsoft Outlook experience.

ClickHere To Update Your Outlook Account

Thank You for Being A Loyal Outlook Mail User
We hope you enjoy the newest version of Outlook.

Thank you.
Windows Live ID Customer Support.
Copyright 2018 Inc"
remove
Jan 10, 2018 at 5:09 PM by info
Here is another scam:

"From: Microsoft.com Office365 <dez_des@live.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 9, 2018 10:14:01 AM
To: Microsoft.com Office365
Subject: Re: EMAIL DE-ACTIVATION !!

Microsoft

Dear Outlook User,

This is to inform you that your Your Microsoft Account has reached an Upgrade stage, due to you are using our old version of Microsoft Outlook
If you choose not to update your account on or before 13th January 2018, your account will be permanently deleted from our database.
Take a minute to update your account for a faster, safer and full-featured Microsoft Outlook experience.

ClickHere To Update Your Outlook Account

Thank You for Being A Loyal Outlook Mail User
We hope you enjoy the newest version of Outlook.

Thank you.
Windows Live ID Customer Support.
Copyright 2018 Inc"
remove
Sep 29, 2017 at 6:10 AM by info
Here is another scam:

"From: Microsoft.com member
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2017 6:14 AM
To: Microsoft.com member
Subject: RESET ALERT CONFIRMATION™

Microsoft

Dear Outlook User,

This is to inform you that your Your Microsoft Account has reached an Upgrade stage, due to you are using our old version of Microsoft Outlook

If you choose not to update your account on or before 30th September 2017, your account will be permanently deleted from our database.

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

Click Here To Update Your Outlook Account

Thank You for Being A Loyal Outlook Mail User
We hope you enjoy the newest version of Outlook.

Thank you.
Windows Live ID Customer Support.
Copyright 2017 Inc"
remove
Sep 6, 2017 at 1:11 PM by info
Here is another scam:

"From: Mail Notification <ali.sd89@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 6, 2017 11:16 AM
To: member_service@live.com
Subject: Your accοunt has reached an Upgrade stage

E-mail Upgrade

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 Update now button below.
Update Nοw
To opt out or change where you receive security notifications, click here.

Nοte: Please do nοt ignore this email to avοid your account been closed
Thanks,
The Micrοsοft account team."
remove
Jul 23, 2017 at 12:42 AM by info
Here is another scam:

"From: EMAIL ADMIN <personalsecurity@outlook.com>
Sent: July 21, 2017 2:14 AM
To: noreply@outlook.com
Subject: YOUR ACCOUNT HAS REACHED AN UPGRADE STAGE.

E-mail Upgrade

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 Update now button below.
Update Now
To opt out or change where you receive security notifications, click here.

Note: Please do not ignore this email to av?id your account been closed
Thanks,
The account team."
remove

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