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Beware of "Microsoft E-mail Account Upgrade 2018" Phishing Email Scams

Updated: July 31, 2018 2018-07-31T14:00:39 -
Posted: February 5, 2018 2018-02-05T19:06:37
Views: 2,700
Comments: 8

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There is no "Microsoft E-mail Account Upgrade 2018". Therefore, Microsoft users who have received the email message below, which claims they won't be able to sign into their email accounts are asked to delete it because it is a phishing scam being sent by cybercriminals to steal Microsoft Windows Live or Outlook usernames and passwords. The fake email message tricks the recipients into visiting a phishing website where they will be asked to sign into their accounts, but any attempt to sign-in to the phishing website will result in their account credentials being sent to the cybercriminals behind the phishing email message.

Please continue reading below.

The "Microsoft E-mail Upgrade 2018" Phishing Email

From: Windows Live 2018 <joymaria.a@hotmail.com>

Sent: 05 February 2018 03:31

To: noreply@microsoft.net

Subject: ADMIN ALERT: WE ARE CLOSING YOUR MAIL TODAY!

E-mail Upgrade 2018

Starting from 06/02/2018 you won't be able to sign-in into your email account unless you fix this urgent issue now.

Please confirm this request to complete our deactivation process:

Yes, I would like to upgrade my account

No i will not complete this request, Cancel upgrade request

This restriction will be disabled intermediately we confirm update successful.

Thank you,

Account service Team.

The link in the email message goes to a fake Microsoft Hotmail website, which will attempt to trick the 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, the information will be sent to the cyber-criminals behind the email scam, who will use the information to hijack the victims' accounts.

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 or something needs to be done to it, it will be shown to you after you have signed into your account. If you were tricked by one of these malicious phishing scams, please change your Hotmail, Live or Outlook immediately. If you are unable to, click here to report it to Microsoft.

Please continue reading below.

Please share what you know or ask a question about this article by leaving a comment below. Also, check the comment section below for additional information, if there is any.

Remember to forward suspicious, malicious, or phishing email messages to us at the following email address: info@onlinethreatalerts.com

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Comments, Questions and Reviews

(Total: 8)

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Posted: Aug 9, 2018 at 4:07 AM by an anonymous user from or near: Bedford, England, United Kingdom
My wife had exactly the same wording on her Hotmail account 09/08/2018 0945hrs, fortunately we are computer literate and searched for scams?

My daughter was not so lucky, same sort of message from BT clicked the link instead of opening her BT account followed a very helpful agent and had her bank account emptied.
delete
Posted: Jul 13, 2018 at 10:58 PM by info
Here is another scam:

"From: Mail Server
Sent: July 13, 2018 11:58 AM
Subject: ADMIN ALERT: YOUR MAIL UPGRADE DEADLINE IS TODAY!

CLOSURE OF EMAIL

We are informing you that your account will be closed ON 15/07/2018 because you have been ignoring all our update messages sent you.

If you wish to continue using this account update now to continue using our service.

Click here to update

Notice: Ignoring this message will cause this account to be terminated without your permission.

Thanks ,

Sincerely

Mail Protector ©2018"
delete
Posted: Apr 19, 2018 at 3:51 AM by an anonymous user from or near: Norrtälje NV, Stockholm, Sweden
Here is another scam:

"Update alert

Dear User,

The deadline for updating all E-mail account is Today

You are advise to Update your account now

Update your account

Note: Your account will be suspended if not updated before the end of today.

Thank you

Security account team"
delete
Posted: Apr 10, 2018 at 2:58 PM by info
Here is another scam:

"From: Account Update!
Date: April 10, 2018 at 4:37:31 AM EDT
To: "security_drive@microsoft.com"
Subject: FINAL REMINDER: UPDATE YOUR ACCOUNT NOW!!

This message cannot be ignored!
Upgrade Notification

Your Email account version is outdated and require immediate upgrade
We might be forced to shut down your email if you do not upgrade
If you wish to continue using this account please take a few moment to upgrade your account

Update your account

Please performing this upgrade after receiving this message

Your security and safety is our primary concern.
Thank You
Email Management team"
delete
Posted: Mar 27, 2018 at 1:34 PM by info
Here is another scam:

"From: Microsoft.com Team
Date: March 25, 2018 at 12:09:17 AM CDT
To:
Subject: ❶✉ Mail On Hold

E-mail Upgrade!

Your security info is no longer working

Our system found that your security
info is no longer working.

User have 24hrs you won't be able to sign in to
your account unless you fix security info

To fix your security info,

E-mail Upgrade

Note: You are required to update within 24hours after receiving this message

If your security info is already fixed, you can cancel this request."
delete
Posted: Mar 12, 2018 at 6:00 PM by an anonymous user from or near: Córdoba, Cordoba, Argentina
I get the codes that do not let me change my password since I got a phising mail.....
delete
Posted: Mar 6, 2018 at 12:14 PM by info
Here is another scam:

"Subject: FINAL UPGRADE 2018 PROCESSED
From: Info Security
Date: Tue 3/6/2018, 11:32 AM

USER_SECURITY@OUTLOOK.DE;

E-mail Upgrade Request 2018

We are asking users to verify due to recent security incidents online.
This is for your own safety to continue using your account, click the Verify now button below.
Verify Nοw
To opt out or change where you receive security notifications, click here.

Nοte: Please do nοt ignore this email to avοid your account been closed
Thanks,
Account team."
delete
Posted: Feb 6, 2018 at 12:02 PM by info
Here is another scam:

-------- Original message --------
From: "Microsoft.com Team"
Date: 2/6/18 6:03 AM (GMT-06:00)
To: msn_members@outlook.com
Subject: Account Upgrade 2018

Account Upgrade 2018

This is to notify you for the final time that we have stopped processing incoming emails on your account

since you have refused to upgrade your account to our new service and we have been forced to block your account if this notice is ignored.

UPGRADE NOW

Note: This restriction will be disabled intermediately we confirm upgrade successful.

Thanks ,

Regards
Customer Care Team ©2018
delete

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