Ignore the Verify Your Email Account phishing email

What is Verify Your Email Account scam?

As a rule, cybercriminals behind phishing emails try to trick recipients into providing some sensitive information. Most cybercriminals try to extract information such as credit card details (e.g., cardholder name and surname, card number, CVV code, expiry date), social security numbers, login credentials (usernames and passwords), or other personal data.

Usually, phishing emails look like official letters from legitimate, well-known organizations, companies, or other entities. Scammers behind this email pretend to be the email service provider's team members. Their goal is to extract email account login credentials.

As mentioned in the introduction paragraph, this phishing email is disguised as a letter from the email service provider team. It claims that the email account has been blacklisted due to subsequent verification failure.

Scammers behind this email attempt to trick recipients into believing that they need to verify their email account within 24 hours. Otherwise their account will be terminated.

The "VERIFY ACCOUNT NOW" button in the email opens a phishing website designed to look like a sign-in page. This website asks to enter the email address and a password.

It is used by scammers to steal email account login credentials. Usually, cybercriminals behind phishing emails like this one use stolen accounts to deliver malware, send spam, trick other users into transferring them money, or for other malicious purposes.

Also, they check messages for personal information that could be monetized using one or another method. Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to log into websites without being completely sure that they are official and can be trusted.

It is important to mention that cybercriminals can try to use stolen login credentials to access other accounts (e.g., social media, banking account) as well. Therefore, victims who use the same credentials for multiple accounts are likely to lose access to more than one account.

A couple of examples of other phishing emails are "Secure Your Email Scam", "Nexi Email Scam", and "Account Service Email Scam". As a rule, they contain a link designed to open a deceptive website where visitors are asked to provide their login credentials or other sensitive information.

In some cases, recipients are asked to provide personal information directly via email. In one way or another, such emails have to be ignored.

It is noteworthy that cybercriminals often use email as a channel to deliver malware. Some examples of emails used to trick users into installing malware on their computers are "SALAMA Email Virus" and "FedEx Express Email Virus".

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Typically, emails used to trick recipients into installing malware on their computers contain a malicious attachment or a download link for a malicious file. In both cases, recipients infect computers after opening a malicious file that they have downloaded via received email.

Some examples of files that are commonly used to deliver malware via email are Microsoft Office documents, PDF documents, executable files like .exe, archive files (like ZIP, RAR), JavaScript files. It is important to know that documents opened with Microsoft Office 2010 or later do not infect computers unless users enable macros commands (editing or content).

However, older MS Office versions do not have the "Protected View" mode that prevents malicious documents from installing malware without additional permission.

How to avoid installation of malware?

It is strongly advisable to ignore irrelevant emails that are sent from an unknown sender and contain some website link or attachment (or multiple attachments). it is common that cybercriminals use such emails as a channel to deliver their malware.

Usually, emails of this type are disguised as official letters from legitimate entities. Also, it is recommended to avoid opening files that are downloaded through or from third-party downloaders, unofficial pages, Peer-to-Peer networks like torrent clients, eMule, and so on.

Files (and programs) should be downloaded from official websites via direct links. Furthermore, it is important to update and activate installed software using tools and (or) implemented functions that its official developers have created.

It is common that users who use third-party tools unknowingly install malicious software on their computers. Moreover, it is illegal to use 'cracking' tools to activate licensed software.

One more way to avoid malware is to have a reputable anti-spyware or antivirus software and scam the operating system with it on a regular basis. If you've already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the Verify Your Email Account email:

Subject: Verify Email Account : Message is from a ******** trusted source

Verify your email Account
Atn: ******** ,

Your ******** has been BLACKLISTED under the ******** network service due to subsequent verification failure on your Account.
Our service team will terminate your mail account within 24hours, if proper verification is not done.
VERIFY ACCOUNT NOW
Thanks,

The email Account Team

Screenshot of the website used to steal login credentials:

Another variant of email verification-themed spam promoting a phishing website:

Text presented within:

Subject: MailBox De-activation

 

MailBox De-activation

dear ********
We are doing a account  verification survey, which
your e-mail account  was listed  and has  recently not  been updated  verify your account  to help us secure
your email account better.
Verify Your Account Now

If verification is not gotten from you in the next 24hr, we will assume shut down for your email account,   
Thanks.
******** Admin !   2020 All Rights Reserved
This email was generated  with reference no.  27916310
This is an automated message replies cannot be answered

Screenshot of the promoted phishing website:

Yet another email verification-themed spam email promoting a phishing website:

Text presented within:

Subject: ******** WARNING: This Email Account Is Due For Upgrade

 

Hello ********,
You are receiving this message because your mailbox has not passed the current verification update. Your mailbox ******** needs to be verified. Failure to do that may result in shutdown or inability to receive emails. To continue using your mailbox securely and effectively, you need to upgrade and verify your mailbox.
VERIFY
This service is free.
Webmail © 2021 All rights reserved.

Screenshots of the promoted phishing websites:

Yet another example of verify email account-themed spam promoting a phishing site:

Text presented within:

Subject: Re-verify your email account; -

 

Hello info

We noticed that you need to re-verify your email account.

Just click the button below (just a few seconds).
For security reasons, we are verifying that the ownership of this email address is valid.

Confirm your email address: -

Failure to verify your email address may result in account suspension until verification is complete.

Thank you for being our customer.
-  @ - 2021.

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Another example of email verification-themed spam promoting a phishing site:

Text presented within:

Subject: ! ******** verification review {3 pending emails}

********
Unverified email server for ********
User: ********

Your email has suddenly stopped the delivery of [3] important incoming new messages on 03/21/2022 11:36:59 am

To avoid shut down and loss of unsaved data. Please click the button below to validate your service.
VERIFY NOW
 
Report a Problem     Copyright 2022 Mail support⁠. All rights reserved
********

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Yet another variant of "Verify Your Email Account" spam:

Text presented within:

Subject: EMAIL UPDATE

*********     (Auto Generated @*********)

Dear *********  

To continue using your address info, please confirm ownership
approve
    or     
Refuse
For more details, please log in to the link below.
Login URL: click here

*********

* This is a system generated *********. Please do not reply.

Yet another example of "verify your email account" spam email promoting a phishing site:

Text presented within:

Subject: ACCOUNT VERIFICATION FOR YOUR MAILBOX ********

Customer ID:  4388222
 
Email Verification
VERIFY YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT
 
YOUR DOMAIN:     ********
YOUR EMAIL ID:     ********
Mailbox STATUS:     Pending Emails not delivered, Verification needed.
Verify Your Mailbox
 
Why verify your account?
 
Verifying your account means you enjoy an uninterrupted service with ******** . Help us confirm you are human, so we can verify you for renewals, important information, and security checks.

NOTE: Emails will be deleted automatically after 12 days by our admin.

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site designed to imitate the appearance of user's email provider:

Yet another example of email verification-themed spam promoting a phishing site:

Text presented within:

Subject: Your Email: ******** will be blocked

 

Dear ********,

Due to recent updates on our server, your email: ******** will stop sending and receiving emails if not verified within 24 hours.
To maintain your account with us, check below.
VERIFY

Email Administrator Team
©2022 ********  All Rights Reserved

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Types of malicious emails:

If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file from a suspicious email, run a full system scan with Combo Cleaner. If you only received the email and didn't engage with it, you don't need to scan anything - just identify the scam and delete it. The full procedure below covers both situations and what to do if you already clicked, replied, or sent money.

Credential theft Phishing emails

Fake login pages disguised as PayPal, Microsoft, Apple, banks, or social networks. The email pushes a link to a near-perfect copy of the real login screen. The moment you type your username and password, the attacker has them.

Common subject lines

• "Action required: confirm your account"
• "Your password expires today"
• "Unusual sign-in attempt detected"
• "Verify your billing information"

Malware delivery Emails with malicious attachments

Trojans hidden inside fake invoices, faxes, shipping confirmations, or Office documents. Opening the attachment runs the payload and infects the system - often with an info-stealer or remote-access trojan.

Common subject lines

• "Invoice INV-2026-XXXX attached"
• "Fax received - 3 pages"
• "Your shipping document is ready"
• "Voicemail from +1-XXX-XXX-XXXX"

Extortion Sextortion emails

Fake claims of webcam recordings demanding cryptocurrency. Almost always a bluff: the attacker pulls a real password from an old data breach to make the threat look credible, then claims to have video of you. They have no recording and no access.

Common subject lines

• "I know your password is XXXX"
• "Your account has been hacked"
• "I have recorded you - 48 hours to pay"
• "You have been compromised"

Callback fraud Refund & callback scams

"Your subscription was renewed for $499 - call to cancel." Norton, McAfee, Geek Squad, PayPal, and Wells Fargo variants are all common. There's no real subscription. The phone number in the email connects directly to the scammer, who walks you through "refunding" yourself - which is actually them stealing money from your bank.

Common subject lines

• "Norton subscription auto-renewed - $499.99"
• "McAfee Total Protection invoice"
• "Geek Squad order confirmation"
• "Your PayPal payment is being processed"

Credential theft Account suspension & verification scams

"Your account will be deleted in 24 hours - verify now." The artificial deadline is the whole point: it pressures you to click before checking details. The "verify" link goes to a phishing page styled to look like the real provider.

Common subject lines

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Suspicious activity detected - verify now"
• "Final warning: account closure"
• "Action required to keep your account active"

Mixed payload Delivery & package scams

Fake DHL, USPS, UPS, or FedEx tracking, customs fees, or "package undeliverable" notices. Targets anyone expecting a parcel - the timing alone catches many people. The link hides either phishing (asking for card details to "release" the package) or a malware download.

Common subject lines

• "Your DHL package is held at customs"
• "USPS - delivery attempt failed"
• "FedEx tracking update - action required"
• "Pay $2.99 redelivery fee to release your parcel"

Remote access Tech support scams

Fake Microsoft, Apple, or "Windows Defender" security alerts pushing a phone number. Real Microsoft and Apple never email a phone number to call. The number connects you to a scammer who asks for remote access to "fix" the imaginary problem and then demands payment.

Common subject lines

• "Microsoft Defender expired - renew now"
• "Apple ID security alert"
• "Critical: virus detected on your PC"
• "Windows license expired - call now"

Wire fraud Advance-fee scams

Inheritance, lottery wins, romance, or business deals that ask for a small fee to release a much larger sum. The classic "Nigerian prince" 419 family of frauds. Once you pay the first fee, more fees appear (taxes, lawyer, transfer charges) until you stop paying. The promised money never exists.

Common subject lines

• "Inheritance from a relative you didn't know about"
• "You won the international lottery"
• "URGENT - business proposal worth $XX million"
• "Compensation fund release for fraud victims"

Wire fraud Business email compromise (BEC)

CEO impersonation asking employees to wire money or buy gift cards, or fake supplier invoices with newly "updated" bank details for payment redirection. The email often spoofs a real internal executive's display name and uses an external lookalike domain.

Common subject lines

• "Quick task - need you to buy gift cards"
• "Updated banking details for invoice payment"
• "Wire transfer request - urgent"
• "Are you available?" (CEO impersonation opener)

How to spot a malicious email?

Phase 1~ 2 min

Spot - identify the red flags

---

1

Check the sender's actual address, not the display name

30 sec

The display name (the human-readable part) is trivial to fake. Always check the full address that comes after it. Common red flags:

• Domain mismatch - service@paypa1.com, support@micros0ft-help.com, look-alike domains using digits or extra hyphens
• Free-email impersonation - any "official" message from a bank, courier, or platform sent from a @gmail.com, @outlook.com, or @yahoo.com address
• Reply-To mismatch - the From address looks legitimate but Reply-To points somewhere completely different

Why this matters

Real companies own their domains and send mail from them. A "DHL" message from a Gmail address is never legitimate, regardless of how convincing the body looks.

2

Watch for urgency, threats, and generic greetings

30 sec

Scams almost always rush you. The point is to make you act before you think. Treat any of the following as a strong signal:

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Final notice" / "Immediate action required"
• "Dear Customer" or "Dear User" instead of your real name
• Threats of fines, account closure, legal action, or arrest
• Promises of refunds, prizes, or money you didn't earn
• Spelling and grammar mistakes in messages claiming to come from a major brand

3

Hover over every link before clicking

30 sec

On a desktop, hover the mouse over the link without clicking. The real destination shows in the bottom-left status bar of your browser or email client. On a phone, long-press the link to preview the URL.

• Real Microsoft, PayPal, or bank links go to those exact domains, not redirects through unrelated sites
• Shortened URLs (bit.ly, tinyurl, t.co) hide the real destination - never click them in unsolicited mail
• The visible link text and the actual URL must match - mismatches are the single biggest phishing red flag

Pro tip

When in doubt, don't click the link. Open a new browser tab and type the company's address yourself, then log in normally. If there really is an issue with your account, you'll see it there.

4

Treat unexpected attachments as hostile

30 sec

If you didn't ask for the file, don't open it - even if it appears to come from someone you know. Categories that should never be opened from email without verification through another channel:

• .exe, .scr, .iso, .img, .vbs, .bat - executables, never legitimate attachments
• .docx, .xlsx, .pptx with "Enable macros" prompts - the macros run the malware
• .pdf with "Click here to view" buttons - usually a phishing redirect, not a real document
• .zip, .rar, .7z archives, especially password-protected ones - the password defeats the email scanner

Phase 2~ 2 min

Report and delete - if you haven't engaged

---

If you only received the email and didn't reply, click, or open anything, the steps below are all you need. Your computer is not infected.

5

Don't reply, don't click "unsubscribe"

30 sec

Replying confirms your address is real and monitored, which gets you added to higher-value scam lists. The "unsubscribe" link in a scam message is rarely a real opt-out - it usually leads to a phishing page or downloads a tracking pixel.

Instead, mark the message as junk or phishing inside your email client (this trains the spam filter), then block the sender.

6

Report the scam to your email provider and authorities

1 min

Inside your email client:

• Gmail: open the message → ⋮ menu → Report phishing
• Outlook / Outlook.com: ⋯ menu → Report → Report phishing
• Apple Mail / iCloud: Move to Junk, then forward to reportphishing@apple.com

Forward or report to authorities:

• International: forward to reportphishing@apwg.org
• United States: ic3.gov (FBI)
• United Kingdom: forward phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk (NCSC SERS); for financial loss report at reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
• Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
• Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
• EU: your national CERT - find yours via the ENISA CSIRT map

After reporting, delete the email and empty the Trash folder so you don't accidentally open it later.

Phase 3~ 10–60 min

Recover - if you already engaged with the scam

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Pick the step below that matches what you did. If multiple apply, work through them in the order they appear - the steps are arranged from lowest to highest risk.

7

You only clicked a link (didn't enter anything or download anything)

Scenario: clicked link only10 min

Close the page right away. Don't enter any information, even if the page looks legitimate.

• Clear your browser cache and cookies for the last hour - Chrome/Edge: Ctrl+Shift+Del → Last hour → check Cookies and Cached files
• Run a quick scan with Combo Cleaner in case the page tried to drop a file silently (drive-by download)
• Update your browser to the latest version - most drive-by exploits target outdated browsers
• Watch for new browser pop-ups, redirects, or unfamiliar notifications over the next few days

Why this matters

Modern browsers block most drive-by attacks, but a single click on a phishing page can still be enough on an outdated browser or unpatched plugin. A quick scan catches anything that landed silently.

8

You opened an attachment or downloaded a file - run a full malware scan

Scenario: opened attachment⚠ Highest risk60–90 min

Opening an attachment is the most common path to actual infection. Treat the system as compromised until the scans below come back clean. Work through these sub-steps in order:

8.1Disconnect from the network

Unplug Ethernet and turn off Wi-Fi. If the attachment was an info-stealer or remote-access trojan, this stops it from sending data out or receiving commands. Keep the network off until you've booted into Safe Mode (next step) - you'll reconnect there briefly to download the scanners.

8.2Boot into Safe Mode with Networking, then download the scanners

Windows 11: Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 5 or F5.

Windows 10: hold Shift, click Power → Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press F5.

Once Safe Mode has loaded, turn Wi-Fi back on and download Combo Cleaner (used in 8.4) and Microsoft Safety Scanner (used in 8.5). Safe Mode loads only minimal drivers, so most malware can't auto-run while you're getting the tools. Save both installers to your Desktop.

8.3Run Microsoft Defender Offline

Reboot to normal Windows. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. The PC restarts into a stripped-down environment and scans the disk before Windows fully loads - this is what catches rootkits and bootkits.

Recommended antivirus

Combo Cleaner

VB100 certified. Includes anti-trojan, registry/persistence scanning, and anti-spyware in one pass. The 7-day free trial is available.

Download Combo Cleaner

8.4Run a full Combo Cleaner scan

Install Combo Cleaner and run a full system scan (not the quick scan). Let it complete fully, review what it found, and apply the recommended actions. Combo Cleaner will quarantine known trojans and remove their persistence in the registry.

8.5Run Microsoft Safety Scanner as a second-opinion scan

Download Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe). The binary expires every 10 days, which means every download has the latest signatures. Run a full scan after Combo Cleaner to catch anything one engine alone might miss.

8.6Reset browsers and clear notification permissions

Many email-borne trojans drop adware that hijacks browsers. Reset each browser you use:

Chrome: chrome://settings/reset → Restore settings to their original defaults. Then chrome://settings/content/notifications - remove unfamiliar sites.

Edge: edge://settings/reset. Then edge://settings/content/notifications.

Firefox: about:support → Refresh Firefox.

8.7Re-enable Defender, Tamper Protection, and update everything

Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and confirm Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Tamper Protection are all on. Then run Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates and update browsers and applications.

Important

If the scans keep finding new threats on each run, or files reappear after deletion, you may have a deeper compromise that needs a clean Windows reinstall. See pcrisk's full manual malware removal guide for the extended procedure (Process Explorer, Autoruns, hosts file inspection).

9

You entered credentials on a fake login page

Scenario: shared password⚠ Act fast20 min

Assume the attacker has your password and is using it right now. Speed matters.

1. Change the password from a different, known-clean device (your phone is fine if it's not infected). Don't reuse the old password anywhere else.
2. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already. Prefer an authenticator app or hardware key over SMS.
3. Sign out of all sessions - most platforms have a "sign out everywhere" option in security settings, which kicks the attacker out.
4. Review recent activity - look for unfamiliar logins, new devices, forwarding rules, or app permissions. Remove anything you don't recognize.
5. Check your other accounts - if you reused that password anywhere else, change it there too. Check your exposure at haveibeenpwned.com.
6. Update security questions - the attacker may have seen the answers in your account profile.

Why email comes first

If you only have time to change one password, change your primary email password - it's the recovery hub for every other account. An attacker who controls your email can reset everything else.

10

You sent money or shared bank, card, or ID details

Scenario: financial loss⚠ Contact bank now30 min

Time is the single biggest factor in recovering money. Banks can sometimes recall a wire or reverse a card transaction within the first few hours.

1. Call your bank or card issuer immediately. Use the number on the back of the card, not any number from the scam email. Ask them to freeze the card, reverse the transaction if possible, and flag the account for fraud monitoring.
2. If you sent a wire transfer or used a money-transfer service (Western Union, MoneyGram, Zelle, Wise), call them directly and request a recall. Some can be reversed within minutes if reported fast.
3. If you sent cryptocurrency or gift cards, recovery is unlikely - but report it anyway, since law enforcement tracks these patterns.
4. File a police report. You'll need the report number for any insurance, bank, or credit-bureau claim. Save the report number.
5. File with the right authority for your country:
   • US: ic3.gov + reportfraud.ftc.gov
   • UK: reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
   • Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
   • Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
   • EU: your national CERT or police cybercrime unit
6. Set fraud alerts on all major credit bureaus if you shared any ID details. US: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion (Cifas Protective Registration is a stronger option).
7. Save all evidence - the original email (with full headers), screenshots of the fake site, transaction records, any phone numbers or chat logs.

Phase 4~ 15 min + 30 days

Verify & monitor

---

11

Final scan and startup-app check

15 min

Reconnect to the network and run one final full scan with Combo Cleaner, followed by a Windows Defender quick scan. Then open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and switch to Startup apps - disable anything unfamiliar.

Make sure Windows, browsers, and any applications you use are fully up to date. The infection vector that worked on you once usually involves outdated software.

12

Monitor accounts and credit for 30 days

5 min/day · 30 days

Most fraud follow-ups land in the first month. Until that window closes, keep watching:

• Bank and card statements - daily for the first week, then weekly
• Email - watch for password-reset confirmations or login alerts you didn't trigger
• Credit report - US: free at annualcreditreport.com; UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion all have free tiers
• Breach alerts - sign up at haveibeenpwned.com to be notified when your email appears in new leaks

If anything new appears in any of those, treat it as a continuing compromise: change passwords again, contact the bank again, and update the police report.

Important: If you didn't click anything, didn't reply, and didn't open any attachment, your computer is not infected - just delete the email and move on. If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner and Windows Defender and stop there. That path catches the vast majority of email-borne malware without the risk of breaking Windows by deleting the wrong file.