Yahoo users, be aware of fake "Avoid Mailbox Interruption" emails like the one below, which claim that you need to update or upgrade your Yahoo account or else your account will be terminated. The fake emails are phishing scams being sent by cybercriminals to steal Yahoo usernames and passwords, by tricking Yahoo users into visiting a phishing website that steals email account credentials.
The "Avoid Mailbox Interruption" Phishing Scam
From: Yahoo Mail <shueliao@yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2019, 10:21:27 AM CDT
Subject: Avoid Mailbox Interruption
We have a new unified Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Dear Yahoo Mail Member,
Starting July 29th, 2019, the classic version of Yahoo Mail that you’re using on your computer will no longer be available.
To ensure continued access to your Yahoo Mail account, we need you to upgraded to the latest version of Yahoo Mail or Basic Mail, and avoid being disconnection from our server
Please Click Here to upgrade to the latest version now
Thank you for being a loyal Yahoo Mail member.
The Yahoo Mail Team
The link in the phishing email message goes to a fake or phishing Yahoo website, which will attempt to trick the potential victims into entering their usernames and passwords on it. If Yahoo users attempt to sign into the phishing website with their Yahoo 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 Yahoo 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 something 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 Yahoo account is hijacked.
For victims whose accounts have already been hijacked, click here for help.