Microsoft Account Upgrade Scam

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Updated: Jan. 8, 2020 2020-01-08T19:02:38
Posted: Jan. 8, 2020 2020-01-08T18:57:52
Online Threat Alerts (OTA)

The "Microsoft Account Upgrade" email below, which claims the recipients' accounts will be closed and they must click the link within the same email to cancel the deactivation process, are asked to delete it. This is because the email is a fake and is a phishing scam created and sent by cybercriminals to steal Microsoft account usernames and passwords, with the intention of hijacking the email accounts and using them maliciously or fraudulently. Therefore, recipients of the same email message are advised to delete it, and not follow the instructions in it.

The "Microsoft Account Upgrade" Phishing Scam

From: mail Service - minger_19626@hotmail.com

Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2020 4:39 PM

To: account@update.com

Subject: MICROSOFT ACCOUNT UPGRADE

Microsoft Update

Dear user

This message is being sent to you to inform you that your account is to be closed on 7/1/ 2020

If you wish to continue using this account please upgrade to our services.

Ignoring this message will cause your account to be closed

Update your account

Note: Please take a few moment to update your account now

Thanks

Regards

Microsoft.com Team.

The link in the email message goes 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 message. And, if there is anything wrong with your account, it will be shown to you after you have signed into it. If you were tricked by the phishing email, please change your Microsoft Hotmail/Live/Outlook immediately. If you are unable to, click here to report it to Microsoft.