Yahoo users, be aware of fake "Don't Get Locked Out" phishing emails like the one below, which claim that you need to upgrade in order not get locked out. 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. And, Yahoo will never ask you to click on a link to run a virus scan, they will scan your emails automatically and remove any known viruses.
The "Yahoo Don't Get Locked Out" Scam
From: Yahoo!Mail Security® <tagaste_rh@yahoo.com>
To: noreply@yahoo.com <noreply@yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2019, 07:24:23 AM GMT-3
Subject: 🔓🚩✉: FINAL WARNING: Don't Get Locked Out!
Dear Valued Customer,
YAHOO! ✉ MAILBOX DUE FOR UPGRADE.
The security of your Email is important to us. In light of reported security issues or suspicious activity on this Email, please confirm the ownership of your Email to prevent shutdown of this account.
Kindly follow the verify button below to secure your account according to our terms of services and privacy poIicy.
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.