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A new wave of phishing emails is targeting users with fake "password expiration" warnings, aiming to steal your login credentials and compromise your online security. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself.

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What Does the Scam Look Like?

You might receive an email like this:


Subject: ACCOUNT DEACTIVATION IN PROGRESS 
From: "yourdomain.com" <ai@badgirl.co.jp> 

Password expires today, [date]

Your you@yourdomain.com will be considered dormant and closed within 24 hours, if no action is taken. 

You can keep your password using the link below. 

[Keep Current Password] [Confirm Password] 

Account Information Concerned: 
Email address: you@yourdomain.com 
Password status: Expired


The email pressures you to click a button or link to "keep" or "confirm" your password, claiming your account will be deactivated if you don't act immediately.

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Why Is This a Scam?

• Fake Urgency: Scammers use threats of account deactivation to create panic and prompt quick action without thinking.
  
• Phishing Links: The buttons or links lead to a fake login page designed to steal your email address and password.
  
• Impersonation: The sender's address and branding may look similar to your real provider, but often uses a suspicious or unrelated domain.
  
• Generic Content: These emails rarely address you by name and often have awkward phrasing or grammar mistakes.
  

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What Happens If You Click?

If you enter your credentials on the fake site, attackers can:

• Take over your email account and lock you out.
• Access sensitive information, impersonate you, or contact your friends and colleagues for further scams.
• Attempt to access other accounts where you use the same email and password combination.

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How to Spot and Avoid These Scams

• Check the sender's address: Is it from your actual provider or a suspicious domain?
  
• Look for generic greetings and urgent language: Real providers rarely use threats or urgent deadlines in email.
  
• Hover over links: Don't click! Hover to see if the URL matches your provider's official website.
  
• Watch for spelling and grammar errors: Many phishing emails have awkward or incorrect language.
  
• When in doubt, don't click: Go directly to your provider's website by typing the address manually, or contact your IT department or provider support.
  

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What to Do If You See One Of These

• Do not reply to the email. 
• If you see a button "Display External Images", do not click it, as doing so will alert the sender they have a phishing nibble and may continue to target you as a known qualified account.
• Move it to Spam folder (or Report_spam for future prevention training)
• Contact us so we can evaluate the message and block the sender.

What to Do If You Fell for the Scam

• Change your password immediately on the affected account and any other accounts using the same password.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if available, for added security.
• Notify us (or your IT department) or provider so they can monitor for suspicious activity.
• Warn your contacts—attackers may use your account to target others.

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Summary

Password expiration phishing emails are a common and dangerous scam these days. Stay vigilant, verify suspicious messages, and never click links or provide credentials in response to unsolicited emails. When in doubt, contact your host or it admin directly and report the phishing attempt.

Stay safe. Think before you click.