Mailbox Usage Warning Email Scam

A recent campaign, dubbed “Mailbox Usage Warning”, surfaced in late June 2025. A user received an alarming email stating their mailbox was nearly full—complete with a storage bar showing “4.90 GB used of 5.00 GB limit.” Panic drives the click on the attached “Storage Management” link—only to end up on a convincing Gmail-lookalike that steals login credentials.

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Threat Overview

This is a phishing scam—a social engineering attack that preys on fear of service disruption to harvest email credentials. Scammers then exploit compromised accounts for identity theft, fraud, and spreading further phishing.

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In-Depth Analysis

Infection Vector

• A phishing email disguised as a mailbox storage alert arrives in your inbox.
• Users skeptical? The inclusion of storage stats (“4.90 GB of 5.00 GB”) adds urgency.
• The CTA directs to a phishing landing page replicating official mail login.

Behavioral Profile

1. Email with alarming subject and storage warning lands in inbox.
2. Victim clicks “Storage Management” button.
3. They’re sent to a spoofed login page, enter credentials.
4. Scammer captures credentials, then shows a generic error or real login redirect.
5. Acquired account credentials unlock access to private emails, contacts, and linked accounts.

Risk Assessment

Access to an email account gives attackers keys to reset passwords across banking, social media, cloud storage, and more. Phishers can impersonate victims to target contacts—triggering a domino of infected trust. With sophisticated, professional layouts, success rates are high.

Real-world example: Similar scam “Mailbox Storage Notification” reached 85% storage thresholds—complete with specious domains and targeted at business accounts.
Bottom line? A compromised email login can snowball into far-reaching data theft.

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Phishing Email Artifact

Subject: You will stop to send or receive messages shortly

Mailbox Usage Warning

Hello ********, your mailbox is almost full!
4.90 GB used  5.00 GB limit
Storage Management

Mailbox address: ********

This email is to notify you that you are reaching your mailbox storage limit.

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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

This scam weaponizes urgency and familiarity. It looks legitimate but aims to bait. Once an account is compromised, attackers exploit it across platforms. Proactive awareness—double-checking storage levels via actual mail settings and not email links—stops this threat. Early action prevents a breach from snowballing.