SCAM LIBRARY · PHISHING & LINKS

The 'verify your account' email

A message warns your account is locked and tells you to click a link to verify.

Hand-authored (ScamVet), reviewed · reviewed 2026-07-06

How it works

Posing as your bank, Amazon, Apple, or Microsoft, the message claims suspicious activity and tells you to log in via a link to fix it. The link goes to a convincing fake page that steals your password.

Red flags

• Urgent warnings that your account is locked or compromised.
• A generic greeting like 'Dear customer'.
• A login link instead of asking you to visit the site yourself.

What to do

• Don't click. Open the app or type the website address yourself.
• Turn on two-factor authentication where you can.
• If you entered a password, change it immediately and report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.