Hotmail account verification

[wiseheart]

I got the message behind the tag to my alternate e-mail address. My Smart Screen filter threw it into Junk, and it does seem a bit suspicious - OTOH, I wouldn't want my account closed. Can anybody say whether it's genuine or just a hacker trying to get my data?



From: customerservice12110@hotmail.com
>
> Dear Account User
>
>
> VERIFY YOUR HOTMAIL ACCOUNT NOW TO AVOID IT CLOSED !!!
>
>
> This Email is from Hotmail Customer Care and we are sending it to every Hotmail Email User Accounts Owner for safety. we are having congestions due to the anonymous registration of Hotmail accounts so we are shutting down some Hotmail accounts and your account was among those to be deleted. We are sending this email to you so that you can verify and let us know if you still want to use this account. If you are still interested please confirm your account by filling the space below.Your User name, password, date of birth and your country information would be needed to verify your account.
>
> Due to the congestion in all Hotmail users and removal of all unused Hotmail Accounts, Hotmail would be shutting down all unused Accounts, You will have to confirm your E-mail by filling out your Login Information below after clicking the reply button, or your account will be suspended within 24 hours for security reasons.
>
> * Username: ..............................
> * Password: ................................
> * Date of Birth: ............................
> * Country Or Territory: ................
>
> After following the instructions in the sheet, your account will not be interrupted and will continue as normal. Thanks for your attention to this request. We apologize for any inconveniences.
>
> Warning!!! Account owner that refuses to update his/her account after two weeks of receiving this warning will lose his or her account permanently.
>
> Sincerely,
> The Windows Live Hotmail Team
>
> Personalize your email by changing the color of your inbox
> Hotmail is part of Windows Live
> For more information or for general questions regarding your e-mail account, please visit Windows Live Hotmail Help.Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399, USA © 2011 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.



Update: Thank you all; it was my suspicion, too.

Comments

[jenn-calaelen.livejournal.com]

I'd say spam - I doubt that hotmail customer service would have such a weird email address nor that they would use multiple exclamation marks.
I know that in the past there were a lot of hotmail scams of this form and so I doubt that it would be real.

[remydesire.livejournal.com]

It's fake. Never give out your password. Any legit company online would never ask for your password. I usually automatically take those dotted lines as from scammers. I've gotten plenty of practice spotting these from scammy job ads.

Also check out the email address. Hotmail wouldn't need to put those additional numbers.

[lissas-elves.livejournal.com]

No, the sender is definitely not Microsoft. In fact, I'd report it to Hotmail as spam.

Bet this is one of those scams they use to set up innocent users' PCs as bot hosts - or worse! :-(

[elmey.livejournal.com]

This is not legitimate. I agree, report it to Hotmail, I'm sure you're not the only one who got it, and there are plenty of people who won't know to ask.

[songfire3.livejournal.com]

This is a phishings scam, your email provider would never ask for your password, never mind your date of birth! I'd report it to hotmail!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

It looks like a hacker to me. Delete it.

[scarlet1061.livejournal.com]

TRUE

No legit customer care (or even support on the phone - my experience) ever ask for password.

Beware (as you obviously are) :-)

[joygoddess.livejournal.com]

Don't react. I did and found out too late that it was a hacker. Since that I have been very suspicious. So if I were you I'd totally delete it. Hugs!