Fake Microsoft 'account closure due to inactivity' phishing email

What is this scam?

Scam emails claim the recipient's Microsoft account will be permanently closed on a specific near-future date — currently '16/05/2026' — due to inactivity, warning that access to Windows, Microsoft 365, Teams, Xbox, OneDrive and Outlook will be lost unless immediate action is taken. The link leads to a fake Microsoft sign-in page designed to harvest login credentials and personal information. Microsoft will only close an account that has been genuinely inactive for more than two years and never sends unsolicited closure warnings containing clickable links.

Example scam message

Red flags to look out for

• The message creates urgency — threatening a fine, missed delivery, or account closure.
• Links lead to unofficial domains that don't match the real company's website.
• You weren't expecting this message and can't verify the event it references.
• It asks you to confirm payment details or personal information via a link.
• The sender's number or email address doesn't match the company's official contact.

What to do if you receive this

1. Do not call any numbers or click any links in the message.
2. Log in to your account directly via the official website or app to check for any real alerts.
3. Forward the message to 7726 or email report@phishing.gov.uk.
4. Report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.