potential scam-email from Microsoft email account deactivation

Roger Gemeinhardt 30 Reputation points
2026-01-21T18:04:30.08+00:00

I have gotten several emails from Microsoft stating that my account will be deactivated permanently due to lack of maintenance. A link is provided to update my account. I am afraid to go to this link thinking it is a scam. What should I do?

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home

Locked Question. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

Answer accepted by question author

AI answer

2026-01-21T18:04:36.39+00:00

If you are receiving emails claiming that your Microsoft account will be deactivated and they include a link to update your account, it is important to be cautious. These emails could potentially be phishing scams. Here are steps you can take to verify the legitimacy of the emails:

  1. Check the sender's email address: Microsoft support emails typically come from domains like microsoft.com, microsoftsupport.com, or mail.support.microsoft.com. If the email is from a different domain, it is likely a scam.
  2. Do not click on any links: Avoid clicking on links or providing any personal information in response to the email. Instead, go directly to the official Microsoft website to check your account status.
  3. Contact Microsoft Support directly: If you are unsure about the email's legitimacy, contact Microsoft Support through their official channels to verify whether there is any issue with your account.
  4. Report the phishing attempt: If you determine that the email is indeed a phishing attempt, you can report it to Microsoft.

Always be cautious with unsolicited emails and verify their authenticity before taking any action.

AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.

0 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest