Outlook users are advised not to follow the instructions in fake email messages like the one below, which claim they need to confirm their Outlook or Hotmail accounts in order to restore access. The fake messages are 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 Confirm Your Mail" Phishing Scam
From: CUSTOMER CARE msn-services25@outlook.com
Sent: July 11, 2017 1:40 AM
To: no-reply0070@outlook.com
Subject: ?CONFIRM YOUR MAIL
Outlook Mail
You have reached the storage limit for your Mailbox. Please visit the following link to complete your e-mail access restore.
NOTE: your mailbox might be close down kindly
Follow this link to complete the process: Restore Now
System Administrator.
Outlook Team
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).