Outline:
Email purporting to be from the “AOL Mail Team” claims that your AOL mailbox has expired and, therefore, some incoming email has been “placed on pending” until you click a “validate” link.
Analysis:
The email is not from AOL and the claim that your mailbox has expired is a lie. The message is a phishing scam that is designed to steal your financial and personal information.
If you click the “validate” link, you will be taken to a fraudulent website that asks you to provide your AOL account username and password. Online criminals can collect the information you submit and then use it to hijack your AOL account. Once they have gained access to your account, they can use it to send spam and scam emails in your name as well as collect even more of your personal information.
Criminals have distributed many similar AOL scam messages in recent years. If you receive one, do not follow any links or open any attachments that it contains.
It is always safest to login to all of your online accounts by entering the address into your browser’s address bar or via a trusted app. You can report AOL scam emails via the reporting details on the AOL website.
Subject: Mailbox Expired
AOl Mail
Hi AOL User,
Our record shows that your AOL Mailbox is Out-dated which has caused some incoming mails to be placed on pending.
Kindly VALIDATE your Mailbox in order to be able to receive new mails.
Best Regards,
The AOL Mail team
,
Last updated: December 1, 2016
First published: December 1, 2016
By Brett M. Christensen
About Hoax-Slayer
References
PHISHING – AOL Mail ‘Exceeded Storage Limit’ Email
AOL Update Billing Information Phishing Scam
Phishing Scams – Anti-Phishing Information
AOL Mail Security
