Lookout for the "Microsoft Mailbox will Shutdown" Phishing Scam
Microsoft account users are asked to delete email messages which claim that their mailboxes will be shut down. This is because the email messages are phishing scams that have been created by cyber criminals to steal Microsoft Hotmail/Live/Outlook usernames and passwords. The intention of the cyber criminals is to hijack email accounts and use them fraudulently. So, recipients of the same email messages are not to follow the instructions in them and just delete them.
The "Microsoft Mailbox will Shutdown" Phishing Scam
From: Security Team Email - zambiawade@hotmail.com
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2018 7:44:07 AM
To: Security Team Email
Subject: [IMPORTANT NOTICE]:Mailbox Database Update
Mailbox Database Update
Mailbox will shutdown today
Your Account has reached an Upgrade stage, Verify Your User Email to continue usage. This is for your own safety to continue using your account, click the button below ..
Continue
This help protects your email from spam
Thanks,
Email account team
The links in the email messages go 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 messages. And, if there is anything wrong with your account, it will be shown to you after signing into it.
Now, if you were tricked by the phishing email, please change your Hotmail/Live/Outlook immediately. If you are unable to, click here to report it to Microsoft.
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Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.