Expiration Notification Email Scam

Cybercriminals are once again impersonating Microsoft in a wave of phishing emails titled “Expiration Notification”, trying to scare users into clicking a fake login link. These emails claim your Microsoft account will be closed unless action is taken—when in reality, it’s a trap designed to harvest your login credentials.

Below, we’ll break down how the Expiration Notification email scam works, what the fake email looks like, and how to stay safe from this and similar phishing attacks.

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Expiration Notification Email Scam Overview

Threat Type	Phishing / Email Scam
Associated Email	Varies (spoofed or compromised accounts)
Detection Names	Phish:Email-FakeLogin, Trojan.Phishing, ScamDoc
Symptoms	Urgent email warning of Microsoft account deactivation
Damage & Distribution	Credential theft, email compromise, account hijack via mass phishing
Danger Level	High

👉 SpyHunter Link:
Remove Email Scam Threats with SpyHunter

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How Expiration Notification Email Scam Tricks Users

The phishing email is crafted to mimic a real Microsoft notice. It uses scare tactics—like claiming your account will expire or be deactivated in 48 hours—to pressure you into clicking a malicious button or link labeled “Keep Account Active” or “Review Activity”.

Once clicked, you’re redirected to a convincing fake Microsoft login page. This phishing page captures your email and password in real time. In many cases, victims are unaware they’ve been tricked until hackers begin accessing their account or using it to send spam.

Key red flags:

• Urgent tone with fake deadlines
• Misspellings or off grammar (e.g. “We will terminate your account in the next 48hours.”)
• Suspicious sender email addresses or mismatched domains
• Hovering over links shows non-Microsoft URLs

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Full Text of the Expiration Notification Email Scam

Here’s an example of what the scam message typically looks like:

Subject: Expiration Notification

Body:
Dear user,

We noticed your account is scheduled for deletion. If you wish to keep your account, please take action immediately.

Your account will be terminated in the next 48 hours.

👉 [Keep Account Active]

Microsoft Office365 ©2025

Note: The button or link leads to a fake Microsoft login portal.

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What Happens If You Fall for the Expiration Notification Scam

If you submit your credentials on the fake login page, here’s what can happen:

• Immediate account compromise – Hackers can access your Microsoft account, including Outlook, OneDrive, Teams, and other linked services.
• Email hijacking – Attackers often use compromised accounts to forward the same phishing scam to your contacts.
• Sensitive data exposure – Documents, emails, billing info, and even saved passwords may be accessed or stolen.
• Business risk – If your account is part of an organization, the attack could escalate into a broader breach.

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 Expiration Notification email scam is another example of how cybercriminals weaponize fear and urgency to trick users into giving up valuable credentials. If you received this email, do not click the link. Delete it immediately and report it to your email provider.

If you think you’ve entered your credentials, change your password immediately, enable 2FA (two-factor authentication), and monitor your account for suspicious activity.

💡 Tip: Use a trusted anti-malware scanner like SpyHunter to detect hidden phishing loaders or backdoors if you clicked a suspicious link.