BellSouth users, be aware of email messages like the one below, which claim that a request to terminate your accounts is being processed. The email messages are phishing scams being sent by cybercriminals to steal BellSouth usernames and passwords, by tricking BellSouth users into visiting a phishing website that steals email account credentials.
The "BellSouth Account Cancellation or Deactivation Request" Phishing Scam
On Monday, April 9, 2018 9:20 AM, bellsouth Online Services <customerssupport@att.net>
There has been a request to cancel your bellsouth account.
The request was received from your bellsouth account on april 08, 2018 22:21 GMT.
Sometimes these requests are made in error. If this deactivation was not requested by you, we ask that you submit your password in reply to this email.
Once the current password on the account is verified the deactivation request will be canceled and your account will remain active.
Be advised, once an account is deactivated it cannot be recovered.
Thank You,
The bellsouth Team
The link in the phishing email message goes to a fake or phishing BellSouth website, which will attempt to trick the potential victims into entering their usernames and passwords on it. If BellSouth users attempt to sign into the phishing website with their BellSouth usernames and passwords, it will be sent to the cybercriminals behind the email scam, who will use the information to hijack their accounts. The hijacked BellSouth accounts will then be used by cybercriminals fraudulently.
Remember, if you receive email messages like these, please go directly to your account instead of clicking on the links in the email messages. If there is something wrong with your account, it will be shown to you after signing in. And, if you were tricked by one of these phishing scams, please change your password immediately before your BellSouth account is hijacked.
For victims whose accounts have already been hijacked, they should contact BellSouth for help.