Sending, receiving, and organizing email in Outlook.com
This is a phishing email, not a legitimate Microsoft Outlook or Outlook.com message.
Red flags in the message:
- The sender domain shown is
optimum.net, not a Microsoft account protection domain. - It uses pressure and threats such as mailbox deactivation and permanent data deletion to force a click.
- Microsoft does not require an “email version” or Terms of Service update through an email link to keep Outlook.com working.
- Similar scam messages have been reported that claim older Outlook or mailbox versions will be retired unless a link is clicked.
What to do:
- Do not click the link.
- Do not reply to the message.
- In Outlook.com, report it as phishing, then delete it.
- If the sender keeps appearing, add the sender to the blocked senders list.
- If the link was already opened or any information was entered, go directly to the Microsoft account Security page, change the password, review recent activity and security information, enable two-step verification, and run a full security scan.
A legitimate Microsoft email about account security is stated to come from domains ending in @accountprotection.microsoft.com.
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