Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.
Request to Close your Google Account Phishing Scam

Google users who have received "Request to Close your Google Account" emails like the one below, which claim that a request to terminate their accounts will be processed, are asked to delete them because they are phishing scams. The fake email messages are being sent by cybercriminals to steal Google usernames and passwords, by tricking Google users into visiting a phishing website that steals email account credentials.

Sample of a "Google Account Termination Request" Phishing Scam

From: noreply_(G)oogle <drrafiqipi@gmail.com>

Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2018 1:10 PM

Subject: Update For

We have received your request to close your Google account @gmail.com and it's about to be processed,

To cancel this request and retain your account kindly verify your account

Verify Your Account

The link Above will expire in 24 hours

© 2018 Member Service Team.

The link in the phishing email message goes to a fake or phishing Google website, which will attempt to trick the potential victims into entering their usernames and passwords on it. If Google users attempt to sign into the phishing website with their usernames and passwords, it will be sent to the cybercriminals behind the email scam, who will use the information to hijack their accounts. The hijacked Google accounts will then be used by cybercriminals fraudulently.

Remember, if you receive email messages like these, please go directly to your email account instead of clicking on the links in the email messages. If there is anything wrong with your account, it will be shown to you after signing in. And, if you were tricked by one of these phishing scams, please change your password immediately before your Google account is hijacked.