‘Request To Terminate Outlook Account’ Phishing Scam
The original site is no longer online; links go to the Internet Archive copy.
The claim
Subject: Request to terminate your Outlook Account Dear Outlook User,
we received a request to terminate your Outlook Account, if you did not make this request view attach and cancel your request.
Thanks,
The Microsoft account team
(Attach Request.pdf)
What the fact-checkers found
According to this email, the ‘Microsoft account team’ has received a request to terminate your Outlook account. The email notes that, if you did not make such a request, you should open an attached file to cancel the pending termination.
However, the email is not from Microsoft and the termination request claims are untrue. It is a typical phishing scam and is quite similar to earlier versions that claimed that your Microsoft account was set to be terminated.
If you open the attached file, a PDF will be displayed. The PDF again claims that a termination request has been received and invites you to click a link to cancel the request (see screenshot below).
If you click the link, you will be taken to a fake Microsoft Account login page and asked to enter your login credentials. After entering your details on the fake form, you will be automatically directed to a genuine Microsoft webpage.
The ‘Microsoft Account login details you supplied will be collected by the scammers. A ‘Microsoft Account’ is the name for what was previously known as a ‘Windows Live ID.’ Criminals can use the same login credentials to hijack several Microsoft services and use them to perpetrate further fraudulent activities in your name.
If you receive this message, do not open any attachments or click any links that it contains.
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Browse the archive →PHISHING SCAM – ‘Request to Terminate Microsoft Account’
The email is not from Microsoft. It is a phishing scam designed to steal your Microsoft Account login details. Clicking the ‘cancel request’ link opens a fake login box designed to look like a genuine Microsoft login page.
‘Request to Terminate Your Google Account’ Scam Email
According to this email, which purports to be from Gmail Account Services, your request to terminate your Google Account has been accepted. It asks that you reply to the email if you wish to cancel the termination request or get further help.