Cybercriminals are once again targeting unsuspecting users through a phishing campaign known as the “Account Security Info” email scam. This scam leverages fear and urgency to manipulate victims into handing over sensitive login credentials via a fake web page. The fraudulent message is disguised as a legitimate security notification regarding a supposed account termination request.
Let’s explore how this scam works, what dangers it poses, and how you can recognize and report it.
What Is the “Account Security Info” Email Scam?
This phishing email pretends to come from an email support team. It falsely claims that the recipient has requested to terminate their email account and threatens to delete the account within 48 hours unless the request is canceled. The message includes a “CANCEL REQUEST” button, which redirects users to a fake login page.
The goal? To steal login credentials and compromise your email and any associated services.
Here is the text as seen in the scam message:
Subject: ACCOUNT TERMINATION REQUEST DO NOT IGN0RE
From: Account Security info
We received an instruction from your mail account requesting for your account termination, please ignore this message if the request was from you.
Your account would be deleted from our system in the next 48 hours.
Click on cancel request if the message wasn’t from you.
CANCEL REQUEST
Cancel the termination request if you didn’t authorize this request and protect your account.
Thanks,
The Support Team
This email is auto generated. Replies will not be answered
Once users click the “CANCEL REQUEST” link, they are taken to a counterfeit email login page. Submitting login details there sends the credentials directly to scammers. These credentials can then be used to access sensitive data, commit identity theft, or send more phishing emails using the compromised account.
Scam Summary
Category | Details |
---|---|
Threat Name | Account Security Info Email Scam |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
Associated Email | Varies (usually spoofed or untraceable addresses) |
Fake Claim | The recipient requested account termination |
Disguise | Email support team notification |
Symptoms | Unauthorized purchases, changed account passwords, identity theft |
Distribution Methods | Scam emails, deceptive links, rogue pop-up ads, typosquatting domains |
Danger Level | High – due to identity theft and potential account takeover |
Damage | Loss of login credentials, private info leaks, financial theft, data breach |
Detection Names | Phishing.EmailScam, EmailSpoof.Trojan, Scam.Phish.Generic |
Recommended Removal Tool | SpyHunter |
Why It’s Dangerous
The “Account Security Info” email scam is particularly dangerous because many users reuse the same credentials across multiple platforms. If scammers gain access to your email, they can infiltrate connected services—such as your social media, banking, and cloud storage—potentially resulting in:
- Data theft
- Loss of funds
- Long-term identity abuse
- Email used to propagate more scams or distribute malware
These phishing attacks are part of larger spam campaigns that often evade spam filters through email spoofing, urgent language, and cleverly designed fake interfaces.
How to Manually Identify and Remove Email Scams
Manually removing email scams involves recognizing fraudulent messages, securing your accounts, and taking precautions to prevent future attacks. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Identify Suspicious Emails
Before taking action, you need to identify scam emails. Common signs include:
- Unknown Sender: Emails from unfamiliar addresses, especially if they claim to be from banks, tech support, or government agencies.
- Urgency or Threats: Scammers often pressure you to act immediately (e.g., “Your account will be closed in 24 hours!”).
- Poor Grammar & Spelling: Many scam emails contain obvious grammatical mistakes.
- Suspicious Links & Attachments: Hover over links (without clicking) to check the actual URL. If it looks odd, don’t click.
- Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate companies will never ask for passwords, Social Security numbers, or credit card details via email.
Step 2: Do Not Click Links or Download Attachments
If you suspect an email is a scam:
- Do not click on any links.
- Do not open any attachments.
- Do not reply to the sender.
Step 3: Report the Email Scam
You can report the scam email to various authorities:
- Gmail/Outlook/Yahoo Users: Click the “Report Phishing” or “Report Spam” button in your email client.
- FTC (Federal Trade Commission, USA): Report to FTC Complaint Assistant.
- Google Safe Browsing: If the scam email contains a phishing website, report it here.
Step 4: Block the Sender
- Gmail: Open the email, click the three dots in the top-right corner, and select “Block [Sender Name]”.
- Outlook: Open the email, select “Junk” > “Block Sender”.
- Yahoo Mail: Open the email, click “More” > “Block Sender”.
Step 5: Check Your Accounts for Unauthorized Activity
If you accidentally clicked a link or shared sensitive information:
- Change your passwords immediately. Use strong, unique passwords for every account.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.
- Check your banking statements for unauthorized transactions.
Step 6: Scan Your Device for Malware
Some email scams contain malware hidden in attachments or malicious links. Run a full system scan using built-in tools:
- Windows Defender (Windows 10/11):
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
- Click “Quick Scan” or “Full Scan”.
- Mac Users:
- Use Malwarebytes for Mac or another security tool.
Step 7: Adjust Your Email Security Settings
- Enable email filtering to reduce spam and phishing emails.
- Add a third-party spam filter such as Mailwasher or Spamihilator.
- Educate yourself and others on phishing techniques to avoid future scams.
How to Remove Email Scams Using SpyHunter (Automated Method)
For users who prefer an automated, foolproof method to remove threats linked to email scams, SpyHunter offers an advanced security solution. SpyHunter is an anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove phishing-related threats, spyware, Trojans, and other cyber threats. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Download SpyHunter
- Visit the official SpyHunter download page: Download SpyHunter
- Click on “Download” and save the installation file to your computer.
Step 2: Install SpyHunter
- Locate the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe) and double-click to open it.
- Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
- After installation, launch SpyHunter.
Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan
- Open SpyHunter and navigate to “Malware/PC Scan”.
- Click “Start Scan Now” to begin a deep scan of your system.
- SpyHunter will analyze files, registry entries, and processes for any threats linked to email scams, phishing, and malware.
Step 4: Review and Remove Detected Threats
- Once the scan completes, SpyHunter will list all detected threats.
- Click “Fix Threats” to remove them.
- Restart your computer to complete the removal process.
Step 5: Enable Real-Time Protection
SpyHunter includes real-time protection features to help prevent future infections:
- Enable Active Guards: This monitors your system for malware in real time.
- Schedule Automatic Scans: Set up periodic scans to detect new threats early.
Step 6: Keep SpyHunter Updated
- Regularly check for updates to ensure SpyHunter detects the latest threats.
- To update SpyHunter, open the app and go to “Settings” > “Update”, then click “Check for Updates”.
Preventing Future Email Scams
Now that you’ve removed email scams, take proactive steps to prevent them in the future:
Use a Secure Email Provider
- Consider switching to a secure email provider like ProtonMail or Tutanota, which offer advanced encryption.
Be Cautious with Email Links
- If you receive an email with a suspicious link, verify the website’s legitimacy before clicking.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Activities
- Scammers can use public Wi-Fi to intercept your data. Use a VPN when accessing email on public networks.
Regularly Change Your Passwords
- Update your passwords every few months, and never reuse old passwords.
Use Anti-Phishing Extensions
- Install browser extensions like Bitdefender TrafficLight or Avast Online Security to detect phishing links in real-time.
Email scams are a serious cyber threat that can lead to financial loss, identity theft, or malware infections. By following the manual removal steps, you can effectively identify and remove suspicious emails on your own. However, for advanced protection, using SpyHunter ensures a more thorough and automated approach to detecting and removing phishing-related threats.
Recommended Action
For a fast and efficient way to remove email scams and related malware, download and install SpyHunter now: Download SpyHunter
By staying informed and proactive, you can protect yourself from future email scams and online threats!
Conclusion
If you receive an email resembling the “Account Security Info” phishing message, do not click any links or provide any information. Mark it as spam and delete it immediately. Stay vigilant and protect your digital identity from increasingly deceptive online threats.
For users who suspect they’ve interacted with malicious links or provided sensitive information, we recommend running a system scan using SpyHunter, a reliable anti-malware tool that can detect and eliminate threats stemming from phishing emails.