Deal with the “Avoid Getting Locked Out” Phishing Email

Cybercriminals are constantly devising new ways to steal users’ sensitive information, and the latest phishing email campaign, titled “Avoid Getting Locked Out”, is another attempt to trick unsuspecting victims. This fraudulent email falsely claims that recipients must re-authenticate their email accounts due to a recent mail server update. The email threatens that failure to do so will result in being locked out of the account.

This phishing campaign is designed to steal email login credentials by redirecting users to a fake website that mimics a legitimate sign-in page. Once the credentials are entered, they are sent directly to scammers, who can then exploit the compromised accounts for identity theft, fraudulent transactions, and malware distribution.

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Threat Summary

Name	“Avoid Getting Locked Out” Phishing Email
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Encrypted File Extension	Not applicable
Ransom Note File Name	Not applicable
Associated Email Addresses	Varies, typically using spoofed legitimate domains
Detection Names	Phishing.Email.Scam, FraudulentEmail.Phishing, FakeLoginAttempt
Symptoms of Infection	Unauthorized access to accounts, password changes, identity theft, financial fraud
Damage	Loss of sensitive information, financial losses, identity theft, unauthorized transactions
Distribution Methods	Deceptive emails, malicious links, rogue pop-ups, search engine poisoning
Danger Level	High

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Fake Email Message Used in the Scam

Subject: Ref: Avoid getting locked out – New Request for – Friday, March 7, 2025
Sender: Webmail

Email Content:

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This is a mandatory service communication

Avoid Getting Locked Out

Due to a recent mail server update, we recommend you to re-authenticate to avoid getting locked out of your account.

Re-authenticate Now

Message ID: GIKIW-JS92JSN-E82-2MSMSMS
Email:
Date: Friday, March 7, 2025

This message from is an important communication.
One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052 USA

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How the Scam Works

This phishing email campaign follows a well-known pattern used by cybercriminals to deceive users:

1. Urgent Language & Fear Tactics: The email creates a sense of urgency by falsely warning users that they could be locked out of their accounts.
2. Impersonation of Legitimate Services: The email appears to be from a reputable email provider or service.
3. Fake Login Page: Clicking the “Re-authenticate Now” link directs users to a phishing website designed to look like an official email login page.
4. Credential Theft: Once victims enter their login details, the information is sent to scammers who can exploit it for malicious activities.

Potential Risks and Consequences

Victims who fall for this scam risk severe security and financial consequences, including:

• Unauthorized access to email, social media, and financial accounts.
• Identity theft and fraudulent transactions.
• Distribution of malware and spam emails using compromised accounts.
• Blackmail and data breaches.

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