Online users who have received email messages like the one below, which claim a request was made to deactivate their email accounts are asked to delete them. This is because the email messages are phishing scams that are being sent by cyber criminals trick the recipients into clicking on the links in them. The aim of the cyber criminals responsible for the fake email messages is to frighten the recipients in clicking on the links by claiming their email accounts will be permanently deactivated if they do not follow the instructions in the email messages to cancel the fake request. But, the links go to phishing websites that steal online account user names and passwords.
This why it is important that online users go directly to their email accounts using an app or use their web browsers by typing the web address of their email provider, instead of clicking on links to sign into email accounts. Once they have signed into their accounts, they will be notified of requests, updates, or other important notifications, if there are any.
A Sample of the "Email Deactivation Request" Phishing Scam
From: Email Admin <notification@emailsupport.com>
Date: 25 de agosto de 2017, 2:41:41 CEST
Subject: Email Deactivation Request
Server Message
Dear
You recently made a request to deactivate your email and this request will be processed shortly.
You are advised to cancel the request now, if this request was made accidentally and you have no knowledge of it.
Stop Deactivation Request
However, failure to stop this request will lead to permanent deactivation of your account and all your data will be lost permanently.
Regards
Email Administrator
Online users who have already been tricked by the phishing scam are asked to change their email account passwords before their accounts are hijacked and used fraudulently by cyber criminals.