Windows Hotmail Scam?

magicart


Joined: 05/10/2008
Posts: 985

Message Posted:
14/07/2010 08:43

Hi,



Just received an e-mail from hotmail customer service asking me to confirm my e-mail details together with my password.If I fail to confirm these details within 48 hours we will loose the e-mail facility.



Has anyone else had the same request?



Thanks



Art

babygirl


Joined: 13/02/2010
Posts: 109

Message Posted:
14/07/2010 08:50

I had same thing beginning of May and was concerned but decided to ignore it, at the same time I did make a copy of my e-mail contacts just in case!!! Just did not ring true, why would they do that? Also the reply address was not a hotmail customer address. To date I have been fine and expect you will be too. My advice is to ignore it but do make a copy of your e-mail contacts if you do not have already.

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
14/07/2010 09:40

Never respond to any e-mail asking for such info, from anybody.



No genuine contact will ever ask for personal details and definitly will NEVER as for your password.



Best not to even keep a copy, delete and forget that way you stand less chance of being scammed.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
14/07/2010 10:29

If you have an up to date internet browser and free anti-virus software you will normally be warning of the email being suspicious



I keep being told that my credit card has been used fraudulently and to stop in being cancelled I must prove who I am and change the password !!



Normally a clue is I don't bank with that organisation - they are just hoping you do..



Another one is a letter from the Royal Mail saying I have to collect a parcel - they want me to download a pdf



Simple rule . DON'T respond to any such emails.. CALL the institution and ask if it is genuine - DON't use the number in the email or website they suggest..



A tip fraudster can make a website look like that of a (say) bank.. but look at the website address.. hold your mouse over the link that that WANT you to click..



Does it lead to an httpS site? .. Does the address end in the name of the institution.. ? ( e.g blabla.lloydstsb.com [genuine] ... lloydstsb.blablabla.com [ FAKE] )

CarrieRBag



Joined: 23/12/2008
Posts: 1374

Message Posted:
14/07/2010 11:21

Go to a site called HoaxSlayer.com and you can find out if any of these things are real or not. Very useful site.

LaptaMike


Joined: 07/10/2009
Posts: 1679

Message Posted:
14/07/2010 11:42

Banks, email service providers etc will never ask for your password. The best thing is to forward the email to the relevent institutions customer services. That way they can issue a warning to other customers and tell the police about the person(s) that have sent the email in the first place.

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
14/07/2010 12:23

I use hotmail and there is a phising filter.

If you mark the e-mail as a phising scam it is supposed to be directed to MSN.

journey1


Joined: 05/12/2009
Posts: 134

Message Posted:
14/07/2010 12:33

Follow the advice given and always ignore any requests for passwords etc- I have had the same a number of times. Must say though that the ones flyinng in from Windows Live really did look the part!

spangles


Joined: 22/10/2008
Posts: 411

Message Posted:
14/07/2010 12:46

Our friends had similar last week from yahoo. They, unfortunately, responded and it resulted in a bogus e-mail being sent to all their contacts - including me. The gist of the e-mail was that they had an emergency, no phone contact and were needing cash. I presume if anyone had replied to this e-mail they would have been given a bank account somewhere to send the money to.



Our friends have since had to close their yahoo account.



As stated - Don't Reply.

magicart


Joined: 05/10/2008
Posts: 985

Message Posted:
14/07/2010 18:23

Our thanks to everyone for making a very useful contribution.



Art