Online users who have received "Yahoo Account Placed on Temporary Block" e-mail messages (see sample below) claiming that their email accounts are outdated, should not click on the links in the same email messages. This is because cyber-criminals are sending out phishing e-mail messages to potential victims, in an attempt to frighten and trick them into clicking links in the same phishing e-mail messages that go to phishing websites created to steal email account credentials (usernames and passwords). Once the cybercriminals have stolen their potential victims' e-mail account credentials, they will use them to gain unauthorized access to their accounts, hijack the accounts, and use them fraudulently.
A Sample of the "Yahoo Account Placed on Temporary Block" Phishing Email
From: "Mail Delivery System" <knittedknockersmn@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 7:55 AM
Subject: ! Mail
Yahoo! Mail
Dear user
We noticed that your email account has been outdated .Your account has been placed on temporary block, it would be permanently Deleted if you do not Update within 48hours.
To cancel this termination, follow the Link Here to Verify your correct account info to update your mailbox for faster, safer and full featured Yahoo Mail experience.
Note: Failure to comply within 48hrs might lead to permanent deactivation.
Thank you,
Yahoo system administrator ©2018
Instead of clicking on a link to sign into their accounts, online users should always go directly to their e-mail account providers’ websites and sign into their accounts from there. Once they are signed-in, they will be notified of updates, changes or things they need to do.
Online users who have already been tricked by the phishing e-mails are asked to change their passwords immediately before their e-mail accounts are hijacked and used fraudulently. For those online users whose e-mail accounts have already been hijacked, are asked to contact their I.T support team or email providers for help.