How to spot scams like Your Password Expires Today email scam

What kind of scam is "Your Password Expires Today"?

We have examined this email and found that it is disguised as a letter from Microsoft regarding account password expiry. It contains a hyperlink that opens various untrustworthy websites (phishing pages, download sites for shady software, etc.). The actual Microsoft company has nothing to do with this email. Thus, it must be ignored.

"Your Password Expires Today" email scam in detail

The email contains a Microsoft logo, a "Keep Password" hyperlink, fake account ID, organization name. It claims that the account security validity period (for the recipient's email address) expires today. The purpose of this email is to trick visitors into believing that they must re-validate the Microsoft account using the provided hyperlink.

We have found that the "Keep Password" hyperlink opens cracked software download sites, various phishing pages, download pages for shady applications, etc. Downloading files/software from the pages opened via the presented link and providing information on those pages can lead to computer infections, financial losses, identity theft, or other issues.

Emails of this type in general

Typically, emails of this type are disguised as important/official/urgent letters from legitimate companies, institutions, or other entities. They encourage recipients to open the presented links (or attachments) and provide sensitive information. Scammers behind them attempt to obtain credit card details, account login credentials, and other personal details.

Examples of similar emails are "Signed In To From A New Windows Device Email Scam", "Request To Close Your Email Scam", "DHL Shipment Details Email Scam". Cybercriminals can use emails not only to extract sensitive information but also to deliver malware.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Emails used to distribute malware contain website links or attachments. The purpose of such emails is to trick recipients into executing malware (downloading and opening malicious files). Examples of files that threat actors use to deliver malware are PDF, Microsoft Office, other documents, archives, executables, JavaScript, and other files.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Always examine emails received from unknown or suspicious addresses. Especially the irrelevant ones containing links or attachments. It is very popular among threat actors to use email to distribute malware. Furthermore, avoid downloading opening files downloaded from questionable sources.

Download software and files from official pages. Do not use third-party tools to activate or update the installed software. Always use functions/tools provided by the official developers when willing to update or activate the software. If you've already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

The appearance of the "Your Password Expires Today" email (GIF):

Text in the email:

Subject: Ticket [AF270438] was opened 16_08 PM 07 Feb 2022

Microsoft

Your Password Expires Today

Your 90 day(s) account security validity period expires today for *******, you must re-validate your account today.

To avoid temporary issues relating to your microsoft account, you must re-validate your account.

Use the button below to keep current password or change it to a new one.

Keep Password>

Note: We will not be held responsible for any account loss.

Account information

Account ID: DA034250-R37
Organization name: -

Unsubscribe | Privacy Statement
Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052
Microsoft

Other examples of emails from "Your Password Expires Today" spam campaign:

Sample 1:

Text presented within:

Subject: Reminder: Password/ Renewal 4/5/2022 3:41:07 p.m. 

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the MOTOBINA Environment. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

********
Password for ******** expires today.
You can use Same Current Password
 
Use Same Password

********

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Sample 2:

Text presented within:

Subject: [Ticket ID:PTE-034-GHOhz4YtyNVR] IMPORTANT: You have 1 or more new messages for Your - Account Might Be Suspended!

 - Account

Important Notice

Hi -,

Your - password is set to expire in 1 day(s).

-

We encourage you to take the time now to maintain your password activity to avoid login interruption.

Keep My Password

Note: We won't be held responsible for any account loss

Thank you,
2022 - Support

Unsubscribe - Unsubscribe Preferences

Your Email Credentials Must be Valid to ensure you are the right Recepient.
This mails has been scaned and considered safe.

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Sample 3:

Text presented within:

Subject: Notification: ******** password expires tomorrow

At 6/14/2022 12:10:40 p.m. ,Your email account ******** Dear sales your password expires tomorrow.
You can change your password or keep using your current password.

Sync failures occur when an email user hasn't updated their email account in 30 working  days.

To prevent electronic De-activation of this email account, please click below to resolve the issues ones.

Click here to resolve

To verify your account in one step and prevent it from happening again, please click here.

******** ©2022 Microsoft

6/14/2022 12:10:40 p.m.

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Sample 4:

Text presented within:

Subject: EMAIL ACCOUNT VERIFICATION REQUEST **DO NOT IGNORE**

******** Support

ID: ********

Your ⁠passw⁠ord ⁠for "********" ⁠will ⁠expire ⁠to⁠day - Thursday, June 16, 2022
⁠kindly use ⁠current ⁠passw⁠ord t⁠o⁠ update ******** ⁠account.
keep ⁠Current ⁠Password
 
Source: ******** mail server.

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Sample 5:

Text presented within:

Subject: Password Will Expire Within 12 Hours!!

- - Password Expiring Soon

Your email password will expire 12 hours from 08/10/2022.

You will be logged out automatically and a new password sent.

Alternatively, use the button below to keep using your current password.
Keep Current Password

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Sample 6:

Text presented within:

Subject: Important Notice: Your Mailbox Password Will Expire- ******** - 2022

Your mailbox "******** " password is expiring!

The password to your mailbox ********  has expired.

A new password will be generated by the system.

You will be signed out automatically exactly 3 hours after this email is opened.

It is recommended to keep using your current password.

To keep using your current password, kindly use the button below.

Keep Current Password
 
Email is generated by ******** Email Server for ********

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Sample 7:

Text presented within:

Subject: Password for ******** expires today 9/6/2022 3:59:21 a.m.

Hello ******** ,

The password for ******** expires today 9/6/2022 3:59:21 a.m..

Please use the button below to continue with the current password     

KEEP SAME PASSWORD

********-Web- Support.
 
Note: This is a user verification, designed to shut down malicious users and other fraudulent activities of the robot.

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

Sample 8 (Spanish variant):

Text presented within:

Subject: ********renovar contraseña de correo electrónico ******** 

ID: ********

Your ******** la contraseña expira hoy 17/01/2023 1:16:36 a.m.

Use el boton de abajo para continuar con la misma contraseña

Continua

NOTA: Es posible que sus correos no se entreguen hasta que verifique su cuenta.

Saludos,

******** Support Team.

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site imitating the user's email service provider:

Sample 9:

Text presented within:

Subject: [Immediate Attention ********]: Account setup requires a mandatory update today(8/30/2026 9:18:55 p.m.)

Hello ********,

Your password for the account ******** expires today (8/30/2026 9:18:55 p.m.). Your session will be closed 3 hours after you open this email. You must change your password to avoid temporary suspension of your account.

To continue, you must select one of the following options:

Continue with your current password

Postponed for 6 months

Once the verification is complete, you will be redirected to -

Sample 10:

Text presented within:

Subject: Pemberitahuan Akhir Penangguhan Akses Tertunda

Account Maintenance

{user},

Final Reminder: ******** password expires today.

Access will be suspended by the end of today unless the password is updated.

Keep Same Password

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

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

---

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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

Typically, scammers send the same email to all recipients (addresses in their database). In other words, these phishing emails (and other email scams) usually are not personal.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by this email, what should I do?

If you have provided login credentials (such as username/email address and password), change all passwords immediately. Contact corresponding authorities if you have provided credit card details, social security number, ID card information, etc.

I have downloaded and opened a file attached to an email sent by cybercriminals, is my computer infected?

If that file was executable, it likely has infected a computer. It depends on the file type. For example, malicious Microsoft Office documents cannot infect computers just by being opened. They infect computers when users open them and enable macros commands.

I have read the email but did not open the attachment, is my computer infected?

No, opening an email by itself is completely harmless. Moreover, opening a file is not always enough to infect a computer.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections that were present in email attachment?

Yes, Combo Cleaner will scan your computer and remove malware. It is recommended to scan the operating system using a full scan feature. Otherwise, antivirus software may not detect high-end malware hidden deep in the system.