"Gmail Account Deletion Request" Phishing Scam
Gmail users are asked to be beware of fake account deletion request emails like the one below, which claim that they need to confirm the deletion of their accounts. The fake email messages are being sent by cybercriminals, who are attempting to steal Gmail usernames and passwords, by tricking Gmail users into visiting a phishing website that steals email account credentials. Therefore, recipients of the fake emails are asked not to follow the instructions in them, and if they are in doubt, are asked to sign into their Gmail at www.gmail.com.
A "Gmail Account Deletion Request" Scam
From: Security Support Team - xzU0t4UFcBE8@xzU0t4UFcBE8.centauro.com.br
Date: October 21, 2019 at 7:34:44 AM PDT
Subject: Confirm Gmail Account Deletion ([]@gmail.com)
Confirm Gmail Deletion ([]@gmail.com)?
Please read this carefully. It's not the usual yada yada.
Before you delete Gmail from your Goole Account, remember that you'll no longer be able to send, receive, or access email from your []@gmail.com account.
You also could lose access to services outside of Google where you use []@gmail.com. For example, if you use this email address as a recovery email for your other services, you may have difficulty resetting your password. If you proceed, you'll need to update your email address everywhere you use it outside of Google.
When you delete Gmail, your mailbox will be closed, all of its contents will be permanently deleted, and you'll lose access to your email address within 2 business days.
All of your conversations will be deleted.
☑ Yes, I want to delete []@gmail.com permanently from my Google Account or click Cancel.
DELETE GMAIL Cancel
Gmail Support Team
The link in the phishing email message goes to a fake or phishing Gmail website, which will attempt to trick the potential victims into entering their usernames and passwords on it. If Gmail 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 Gmail 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 Gmail account is hijacked. If your account has already been hijacked, click here for help regaining access to it.
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Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.