According to this supposed warning message, which purports to be from ‘Email Account Protection”, there was an unusual sign-in on your email account.
The notification claims that an online service was granted access to your email account. It urges you to click a button to sign in and secure your account.
However, the message is not from your email service provider. It is a phishing scam designed to steal your email account login credentials.
If you fall for the ruse and click the link, you will be taken to a fraudulent website that hosts a fake login form. The form, which displays a “Session Expired” message, asks for your email account password.
Scammers can collect your email address and password and use it to gain access to your account. They can then use the compromised account to distribute scam, spam, and malware emails that look like you sent them. They may also be able to use the same login details to access linked services such as app stores and online file storage.
Genuine email service providers may sometimes send you notifications if they detect unusual or suspicious activity on your account. However, they will not instruct you to click a link and provide sensitive information such as account passwords.
It is best to login to your online accounts by entering the address into your browser’s address bar or via a trusted app.
A screenshot of the scam email:
A screenshot of the scam login page:
Transcript of the scam email:
WARNING: Unusual sign-in activity on your email account [removed]
Email account protection
… was granted access to your Email Account
[removed]If you did not grant access, you should check this activity and secure your account.
Sign In Email
You received this email to let you know about important changes to your Email Account and services.
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