Beware of "Deactivation Alert and Update Confirmation" Microsoft Outlook or Hotmail Phishing Scams

Updated: September 5, 2017 2017-09-05T03:49:15 - Posted: September 5, 2017 2017-09-05T03:44:45 - Views: 6,125 - Comments: 11 +

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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.

Please continue reading below.

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:

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Posted: Jun 28, 2018 at 9:46 AM by an anonymous user from or near: Los Angeles, California, United States
Beware of this!

"FINAL WARNING: Your Email Will Be De-activated

Your account will be TERMlNATED/BL0CKED on Friday 29/06/2018.

This is due to non-verification and multiple spam mails sent from your account.

Notification ID: Z-X2pGsgf9t
Click on the below button to authenticate and verify your account now.

From this email,
member_service@outlook.com"
delete
Posted: May 26, 2018 at 9:01 AM by an anonymous user from or near: Dodge City, Kansas, United States
I got emails from the "Outlook Team" asking for my birth date and social security number. I responded with a vulgarism. Later, I received a text to my cell phone containing a "Code" number to send to the "Outlook team". That was followed by an email from the "Outlook Team" asking for that code. The email address used by the sender was database637@outlook.com

I reported the phishing emails to Microsoft. I am certain this is happening to many people.
delete
Posted: May 1, 2018 at 8:01 AM by an anonymous user from or near: Brooklyn, New York, United States
I've received two messages from the following email address "Microsoft.com team" on 4/30/2018 and 5/1/2018

"Subject line: "Microsoft Account Deactivation Confirmation"

Our record indicates your account is not updated, which may lead to the close down of your account.
If you don't update your account, you will not be able to send and receive emails again, and you will no longer have access to many of our latest features for improved Conversations, Contacts and Attachments.

Take a minute to update your account for a faster and full featured mail experience
Re-sign in and cancel deactivation process
Note: Failure to update your account might lead to permanent deactivation of your account.

Thanks,
The Security team."
delete
Posted: Mar 20, 2018 at 5:21 AM by an anonymous user
And another one:

"Update Your Account

Our records indicates your account is not updated, which may lead to the close down of your account.
If you don't update your account, you will not be able to send and receive emails again, and you will no longer have access to many of our latest features for improved Conversations, Contacts and Attachments.

Take a minute to update your account for a faster and full featured mail experience
Re-sign in and update your account
Note: Failure to update your account might lead to permanent deactivation of your account.

Thanks,
The Security team."
delete
Posted: Mar 15, 2018 at 10:28 AM by info
Here is another scam:

"From: Microsoft.com Office365
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 1:46 PM
Subject: Re: EMAIL DE-ACTIVATION
To: Microsoft.com Office365

Outlook.com
Dear User,

Your email requires immediate verification for an update. Click below to update your account

Sign In

If you choose not to update your account on or before 20th March 2018, your account will be permanently deleted from our database.

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

Mail team! ©2018 All Rights Reserved"
delete
Posted: Mar 12, 2018 at 4:22 PM by an anonymous user from or near: Toorak, Victoria, Australia
Hello,
I was sent this email. It’s a scam isn’t it?

"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 22nd of March 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
delete
- Posted: Mar 13, 2018 at 12:47 AM by info
  Yes, it is a scam.
  delete
Posted: Feb 12, 2018 at 10:05 AM by an anonymous user from or near: Ione, California, United States
I received this message from:

outlook.com Accounts

Is this scam?

"Hello,

This is to inform you that your request on: 2018-02-12 08-53-45 to remove your account from outlook.com Servers has been approved and will initiate in one hour from the exact time you open this message.

Ignore this message to continue with email removal or

If this deactivation was not requested by you Please reply to this mail directly without altering the subject.

Regards,

outlook.com"
delete
- Posted: Feb 12, 2018 at 2:32 PM by info
  Yes, it is a scam.
  delete
Posted: Jan 22, 2018 at 10:57 AM by an anonymous user from or near: Newton Abbot, England, United Kingdom
dear Microsoft, been having E-mails come through from account team Microsoft to say for the final time we have stopped processing incoming emails since I have refused to upgrade my account and they will be forced to lock my account if this is ignored. it comes from info@servicelubo.com. Is this a scam?
delete
- Posted: Jan 22, 2018 at 12:25 PM by info
  Yes, it is a scam.
  delete