Microsoft account users who have received email messages like the one below, which claim the recipients' email accounts are in the process of being deactivated and the recipients must click the link within the same email message to cancel the deactivation process or have their Microsoft accounts terminated, is a phishing scam. The fake and phishing email message was created and sent by cybercriminals to steal Microsoft Outlook or Hotmail user names and passwords, with the intention of hijacking the email accounts and using them maliciously or fraudulently. Therefore, recipients of the same email message are advised to delete it, and not follow the instructions in it.
A Sample of a Phishing Microsoft Outlook Email Message
From: ACCOUNT TEAM <mittalsonali@hotmail.com>
Subject: DE-ACTIVATION ALERT
Date: 5 September 2017 02:30:59 BST
Security Info Update
Dear E-Mail User,
On 12th September 2017, We are deactivating all email accounts that are not updated as we look forward to terminate all dormant accounts in our email service.
If you like to continue using your email address, Update your e-mail account below.
Confirm And Update Here
This is to reduce the number of dormant account.
Best Regards
Mail Service.
©2017 Mail Service. All Rights Reserved.
The link in the email message goes to a fake Outlook or Microsoft website, which will attempt to trick the cyber-criminals' potential victims into entering their usernames and passwords on it. If the potential victims enter their Microsoft Outlook, Hotmail, Live usernames and passwords on the fake website, it will be sent to the cybercriminals behind the email scam, who will use the information to hijack their accounts.
If you have received the same email message, please go directly to your email account instead of clicking on the links in the email message. And, if there is anything wrong with your account, it will be shown to you after you have signed into it. If you were tricked by the phishing email, please change your Microsoft Hotmail/Live/Outlook immediately. If you are unable to, click here to report it to Microsoft.
This scam is similar to the following: