"Outlook Account Security Issue" Phishing Scams

Outlook users are advised not to follow the instructions in email messages like the one below with the subject "Outlook Account Security Issue", which claim they need to confirm, verify or authenticate their Hotmail account to prevent permanent closure of their email addresses. This is because the email messages are fakes being sent by cyber criminals to trick Outlook users into clicking on the links in the fake email messages that go to a phishing website that steals Outlook, Hotmail or Microsoft account usernames and passwords.The phishing website, which looks exactly like Microsoft Outlook' sign-in page, will ask potential victims to sign-in with their Outlook or Microsoft accounts’ credential, but once the information is submitted, it will be sent to the cybercriminals responsible for the fake website. The cybercriminals will then use the information to hijack their victims’ Microsoft Outlook accounts and use them fraudulently.

The "Outlook Account Security Issue" Phishing Scam

From: OutIook <e-Documents@1gas.co.uk>
Sent: 07 June 2017 16:41
Subject: OutIook account security lssue
Outlook.com
Welcome to a bolder, smarter Outlook.com
Outlook Security Issue
This message is from Hotmail Customer care messaging center, to all Hotmail account owners. We are currently upgrading our data base servers, and e-mail account center.
We are deleting all unused Hotmail accounts to create more space for new accounts.
You will have to Authenticate your Hotmail Account below to show you are human and to prevent a permanent closure of this email address, you need to confirm your email adress and log-in using the following link:

Microsoft account users should never click on a link in an email message to sign into their accounts. It is recommended that they go directly to www.outlook.com, www.hotmail.com, or www.live.com, and sign into their accounts from there. This is the best way to protect against phishing scams created by cyber criminals to steal online account credentials (usernames and passwords).