The "Hotmail Accounts Have Been Hacked" email message below, which claims unusual activities have been detected on the recipients' Hotmail accounts, is a fake. The fake email message was NOT sent by Microsoft, but by cybercriminals, to steal Microsoft, MSN, Hotmail, Live or Outlook usernames, and passwords. Therefore, recipients of the fake email message are asked not click on the links or follow the instructions in it. Microsoft email users who have received similar emails and who want to know if there is something actually wrong with their accounts should go directly to www.outlook.com or hotmail.com and sign into their accounts. If there is something wrong, or if there is something that needs to be done on their accounts, they will be notified after signing in.
It is recommended that Microsoft Hotmail, Live or Outlook users never click on a link to sign into their accounts. They should go directly to www.outlook.com, www.hotmail.com or www.live.com sign-in from there instead.
The "Hotmail Accounts Have Been Hacked" Phishing Scam
From: lwhitefield@greenexpress.trade <lwhitefield@greenexpress.trade>
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2018 5:57 PM
Subject: ALERT Hotmail Accounts Have Been Hacked
You need to call now 1 855-499-5629
We Have Detected Unusual Activity With Your Computer
Your Private Information Is At Risk
Login Has Occurred on 3/19/2018 @ 12:33 PM EST
From IP: 36.174.12.1 Geo Location Found: Eastern Russia
If This Was Not You Please Call Now
1 855-499-5629
Microsoft users who have already been tricked by the phishing scam are asked to change their passwords immediately before their accounts are hijacked and used fraudulently.