“Check Failed Messages” Email Scam

Watch out for fake “quarantine” alerts stealing your email login

Getting an email that says some of your messages weren’t delivered can feel urgent—especially when those messages are supposedly invoices, tax documents, or client requests. That’s exactly what the Check Failed Messages email scam is counting on. This phishing campaign pretends to alert you about “undelivered emails” stuck in quarantine, then tricks you into clicking a link to retrieve them. But instead of helping you recover anything, it leads to a fake login page designed to steal your email credentials—and possibly much more.

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Threat Summary

Threat Type	Email Phishing Scam
Associated Email	Varies, spoofed or masked addresses
Detection Names	Phishing.Email.FakeAlert, Scam.Mail
Symptoms	Fake email delivery failure alerts, credential theft
Damage & Distribution	Identity theft, account compromise, email spoofing, financial loss
Danger Level	High
SpyHunter Link	SpyHunter Removal Tool →

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How Check Failed Messages Email Scam Tricks Users

This scam begins with an alarming message that appears to come from your email provider. The subject often warns about “pending notifications” or “failed message deliveries.” The body claims that certain emails—often labeled as invoices, shipping updates, or tax documents—have failed to reach your inbox and are sitting in a so-called quarantine folder.

A button labeled something like “RETRIEVE MESSAGES” urges you to take action. But clicking that link sends you to a fake login page that mimics your webmail or Microsoft 365 interface. The goal is simple: trick you into entering your email credentials so attackers can hijack your account.

These emails are crafted to look professional, often using real logos and formatting from common mail providers to appear legitimate.

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Full Text of the Check Failed Messages Email Scam

While message contents may vary slightly, most scams follow this structure:

Subject: [YourEmail] You have Pending Notifications

Body:
Several incoming messages failed to be delivered.
View your quarantine folder to recover (8) undelivered messages:

[RETRIEVE MESSAGES]

This message will expire in 48 hours.

After clicking the link, users are redirected to a convincing login page designed to steal usernames and passwords.

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What Happens If You Fall for the Check Failed Messages Email Scam

If you entered your credentials on the fake site, the attackers now have full access to your email account. From there, they can:

• Reset passwords for your linked accounts (banking, social media, cloud storage)
• Send phishing messages from your address to your contacts
• Steal sensitive data from emails, attachments, or saved drafts
• Launch broader attacks using your email as a foothold

In some cases, the phishing email may also include links or attachments that install malware—keyloggers, backdoors, or remote access trojans—on your device.

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What To Do If You Clicked the Link or Shared Info

If you interacted with the email or submitted credentials, take these steps immediately:

1. Change your email password — and any other accounts using the same one.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for all accounts that support it.
3. Scan your device for malware using a trusted tool like SpyHunter.
4. Check your sent folder and login history for suspicious activity.
5. Notify your contacts in case phishing messages were sent in your name.
6. Monitor financial and personal accounts for unusual activity.
7. Report the phishing email to your email provider and national cybersecurity authority.

Manual Removal Guide: How to Identify and Remove Email Scams Yourself

Step 1: Recognizing Scam Emails

Before taking action, learn to identify email scams. Some common red flags include:

• Unknown Sender: Emails from unfamiliar addresses, especially if they claim to be from banks, tech support, or government agencies.
• Urgent or Threatening Language: Messages pressuring you to act quickly (e.g., “Your account will be suspended!”).
• Poor Grammar & Spelling Mistakes: Many scam emails contain grammatical errors.
• Suspicious Links or Attachments: Hover over links to check if they lead to an unusual website before clicking.
• Requests for Personal or Financial Information: Legitimate companies will never ask for sensitive details via email.

Step 2: Avoid Interacting with Scam Emails

If an email appears suspicious:

• Do NOT click on any links.
• Do NOT download attachments.
• Do NOT reply to the sender.

Step 3: Report the Email Scam

Reporting scam emails helps prevent others from falling victim to them:

• Gmail/Outlook/Yahoo Users: Click “Report Phishing” or “Report Spam” in your email client.
• FTC (U.S. users): Report scams to the FTC Complaint Assistant.
• Google Safe Browsing: Report phishing sites at Google’s Phishing Report.

Step 4: Block the Sender

To prevent further scam emails from the same sender:

• Gmail: Open the email, click the three dots, and select “Block [Sender Name]”.
• Outlook: Open the email, select “Junk” > “Block Sender”.
• Yahoo Mail: Click “More” > “Block Sender”.

Step 5: Check Your Accounts for Compromise

If you’ve interacted with a scam email:

• Change your passwords immediately. Use strong, unique passwords.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Adds an extra security layer.
• Monitor your banking transactions for suspicious activity.

Step 6: Scan Your Device for Malware

If you accidentally clicked a link or downloaded a file, scan your system for malware:

• Windows Users (Windows Defender)
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
  • Click “Quick Scan” or “Full Scan”.
• Mac Users
  • Use security software like Malwarebytes for Mac to scan for threats.

Step 7: Strengthen Email Security

• Enable spam filtering in your email provider’s settings.
• Use a third-party spam filter such as Spamihilator or Mailwasher.
• Stay educated on phishing techniques to avoid falling for scams in the future.

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SpyHunter Removal Guide: Automated Solution for Email Scam Threats

SpyHunter is a powerful anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove phishing-related threats, Trojans, spyware, and other cyber threats. If you prefer a quick and automated solution, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

1. Visit the official SpyHunter download page: Download SpyHunter
2. Click “Download” and save the file.

Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Open the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe).
2. Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
3. Once installed, launch SpyHunter.

Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan

1. Open SpyHunter and go to “Malware/PC Scan”.
2. Click “Start Scan Now” to begin scanning.
3. SpyHunter will detect threats linked to email scams.

Step 4: Review and Remove Detected Threats

1. After the scan completes, SpyHunter will display a list of detected threats.
2. Click "Fix Threats" to remove them.
3. Restart your computer after removal.

Step 5: Enable Real-Time Protection

• Activate SpyHunter’s Active Guards for real-time malware protection.
• Schedule regular system scans for ongoing security.

Step 6: Keep SpyHunter Updated

• Regularly update SpyHunter to detect new threats.
• To update, go to "Settings" > "Update" and click "Check for Updates".

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How to Prevent Future Email Scams

To avoid falling for email scams in the future, follow these precautions:

Use a Secure Email Provider

Consider using encrypted email services like ProtonMail or Tutanota for enhanced security.

Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links

Always verify links before clicking by hovering over them to see the actual URL.

Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi

Scammers can intercept your data on public networks. Use a VPN for secure browsing.

Regularly Change Your Passwords

Use a password manager to generate and store secure passwords.

Install Anti-Phishing Browser Extensions

Use security extensions like Bitdefender TrafficLight or Avast Online Security to detect phishing attempts.

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Email scams pose a significant risk to personal and financial security. By following this manual removal guide, you can effectively identify and remove scam emails. For those seeking a fast and automated approach, SpyHunter provides a reliable solution to detect and remove email scam-related threats.

Take Action Now

Protect your device from scam-related malware with SpyHunter: Download SpyHunter

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Conclusion

The Check Failed Messages scam uses urgency and fake email alerts to manipulate users into giving up their login credentials. Falling for it can lead to widespread account compromise, privacy invasion, and even identity theft.

To stay safe, never trust unexpected delivery failure emails. Always log in to your email account through the official website or app—not through embedded links in a message. If you’re unsure whether an alert is real, verify it with your IT team or email provider directly.