Watch Out for Fake “Your Messages Couldn’t Be Delivered” Emails
Written by: Stelian Pilici
Published on:
The “Your Messages Couldn’t Be Delivered” phishing scam aims to steal email account credentials by tricking users into logging into a fake website. This fraudulent email informs recipients that their recent outgoing messages failed delivery due to an expired mailbox password or lack of account updates.
This article contains:
Overview of the Scam
This phishing campaign uses social engineering techniques to manipulate unsuspecting email users. The scam email appears legitimate and conveys a sense of urgency to initiate action.
The message states that outgoing emails could not be delivered recently. This supposed undelivered mail is blamed on the recipient’s account being outdated or having an expired password.
To allegedly resolve the delivery failure issues, the recipient is instructed to click on a link that redirects to a phishing site masquerading as a password reset page. However, this malicious website is designed to steal login credentials and other sensitive information.
Once the victim enters their email address and password into the fake portal, the scammers gain full access to the compromised account. They can then leverage this access for various cybercrimes.
Sender Details Appear Genuine
The “Your Messages Couldn’t Be Delivered” scam email is crafted to seem authentic. The sender name, email address, and subject line are formulated to look like official correspondence from a legitimate service provider.
Common sender identities include well-known tech companies, email providers, social media platforms, and financial institutions. For example:
support@account.gmail.com
maildelivery@outlook.com
Facebook Notification Center
Apple Support
Even the email subject line is deceptive. Some examples are:
Your account has been limited
Important Notice: Delivery Failure Detected
Urgent: Mailbox Password Expired
By making the scam appear to come from an authoritative source, victims are more inclined to trust the content and urgently take action.
Convincing Content Included
The scam email body contains convincing text about undelivered messages and expired account passwords. This content preys on reader’s concerns over potential account security issues.
In most variations, the phishing email claims that recent outgoing messages could not be sent successfully. This lack of delivery is blamed on the recipient’s mailbox password expiring or account details being outdated.
The text creates a sense of urgency and need for the recipient to update their login credentials immediately. If not, additional emails risk non-delivery.
A “Click Here” hyperlinked button is prominently displayed. This links to the phishing site where victims enter the requested login and personal details.
Phishing Link Leads to Fake Login Page
The hyperlinked button or text redirects to a cleverly designed phishing portal mimicking a real password reset page. This fake login portal is hosted on a compromised website or domain registered by the scammers.
All reputable email providers and online platforms have security measures in place on their official websites. However, the scam version lacks the normal security features.
When victims enter their email address, current password, and other personal details into the fake portal, all this sensitive information is harvested directly by the scammers.
With the stolen login credentials, cybercriminals can access and take over the victim’s email account. They can also leverage this account access for further criminal activity.
How the Scam Works
The “Your Messages Couldn’t Be Delivered” phishing scam is orchestrated using the following process:
1. Victims Receive the Fraudulent Email
The scam begins with victims receiving an unsolicited email supposedly from a legitimate company. The sender name, email address, and subject line are designed to appear authentic.
Common versions mimic major tech brands, email providers, social networks, online retailers, and financial institutions.
2. Recipients Open the Deceptive Email
When recipients open their inbox, the scam message blends in seamlessly. The sender name seems official, and subject line grabs attention.
Curious readers open the email, not realizing it is a scam aimed at stealing personal information.
3. Scam Email Content Arouses Concern
The email body contains well-crafted text about undelivered messages and expired passwords. This content stirs up worries over potential account security issues.
A sense of urgency is conveyed emphasizing the need to update account details immediately before more emails fail to send.
4. Phishing Link Clicked to Fake Login Page
A prominent “Click Here” hyperlinked button in the email body redirects to a fake password reset portal. This mimics a real login page from the company the scam is impersonating.
Victims click the link anxious to resolve the supposed delivery issues impacting their email account. But instead, they are led straight into the phishers trap.
5. Login Credentials and Personal Details Entered
Without realizing the page is a scam, victims enter their email address, current password, and other requested personal details into the fraudulent login portal.
Since the site looks legitimate, users complacently provide the data thinking it is needed to update their account.
6. Sensitive Information Harvested by Scammers
With the victim’s login credentials and personal information now stolen, the scammers have full access to the compromised email account.
The phishing site was designed to collect and transmit all submitted data directly to the cybercriminals. Their attack has succeeded.
7. Account Takeover and Further Criminal Misuse
In their new role as the account owner, the scammers can access the inbox, sent items, contact lists, and more.
They commonly change account passwords and security settings to maintain control. Further criminal misuse of the compromised account is also likely.
What to Do If You Have Fallen Victim
If you entered your details into a fake login portal linked from the “Your Messages Couldn’t Be Delivered” scam email, promptly take these steps:
Change Passwords Immediately
Quickly go to the real website of the compromised account and create a new, strong password. Make sure it is at least 12 characters mixing numbers, symbols, uppercase and lowercase letters.
Enabling two-factor authentication is also recommended as an added security layer. This requires users enter a randomly generated code from their phone when logging in.
Contact Support Teams
Notify the customer service teams for all accounts possibly compromised by the phishing attack. Ask them to flag your account as hacked so they can monitor for suspicious activity.
Provide details of how, when, and what phishing email led you to divulge your login information. The more info they have, the better they can respond to the security breach.
Scan Devices for Malware
Hackers sometimes embed malware into phishing sites to infect the devices of users who visit. Scan your computer, phone, and any other web-enabled devices with a quality antivirus program to detect potential threats.
Delete anything deemed suspicious that could be tied to the scam website domain. Phishers may leverage malware payloads for data theft, crypto mining, distributing spam, and other motives.
Monitor Accounts Closely
Carefully scrutinize all the accounts that may have been compromised moving forward. Watch for any messages, posts, or transactions you didn’t authorize.
Also be alert for signs of identity theft, such as suspicious charges or inquiries on your credit reports. Promptly report any concerning activity to the appropriate institutions.
Learn From This Experience
Use this phishing encounter as motivation to be more vigilant against such scams going forward. Learn to identify subtle warning signs like poor spelling and grammar, threatening demands, and unfamiliar sender addresses.
When contacted unexpectedly about account issues, don’t click links. Instead, log into the official website directly or contact customer support for confirmation.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes stands out as one of the leading and widely-used anti-malware solutions for Windows, and for good reason. It effectively eradicates various types of malware that other programs often overlook, all at no cost to you. When it comes to disinfecting an infected device, Malwarebytes has consistently been a free and indispensable tool in the battle against malware. We highly recommend it for maintaining a clean and secure system.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
After the download is complete, locate the MBSetup file, typically found in your Downloads folder. Double-click on the MBSetup file to begin the installation of Malwarebytes on your computer. If a User Account Control pop-up appears, click “Yes” to continue the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, the setup wizard will guide you through the process.
You’ll first be prompted to choose the type of computer you’re installing the program on—select either “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” as appropriate, then click on Next.
Malwarebytes will now begin the installation process on your device.
When the Malwarebytes installation is complete, the program will automatically open to the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen.
On the final screen, simply click on the Open Malwarebytes option to start the program.
Enable “Rootkit scanning”.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware will now start, and you will see the main screen as shown below. To maximize Malwarebytes’ ability to detect malware and unwanted programs, we need to enable rootkit scanning. Click on the “Settings” gear icon located on the left of the screen to access the general settings section.
In the settings menu, enable the “Scan for rootkits” option by clicking the toggle switch until it turns blue.
Now that you have enabled rootkit scanning, click on the “Dashboard” button in the left pane to get back to the main screen.
Perform a Scan with Malwarebytes.
To start a scan, click the Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its antivirus database and begin scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Quarantine detected malware
Once the Malwarebytes scan is complete, it will display a list of detected malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. To effectively remove these threats, click the “Quarantine” button.
Malwarebytes will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the program’s quarantine.
Restart your computer.
When removing files, Malwarebytes may require a reboot to fully eliminate some threats. If you see a message indicating that a reboot is needed, please allow it. Once your computer has restarted and you are logged back in, you can continue with the remaining steps.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
What is the “Your Messages Couldn’t Be Delivered” scam?
This is a phishing scam where victims receive an email claiming your outgoing messages failed delivery due to an expired password or outdated account details. It tricks users into clicking a link to a fake login page to harvest their credentials.
How does the phishing email look legitimate?
The sender name, email address, and subject line are designed to mimic correspondence from a real company. The content convinces readers that urgent action is needed to avoid more failed email deliveries.
What happens when you click the link?
The link goes to a spoofed login page that collects any email address, password, or other details entered. The scammers then use this information to access and take over your account.
What should I do if I entered details into the phishing page?
Immediately change the password for that account and any other accounts that may be compromised. Contact customer support about the incident. Scan devices for potential malware from the scam site.
How can I identify phishing emails in the future?
Look for poor grammar, threats demanding quick action, sender email addresses from mismatched domains. Verify urgently with companies directly instead of clicking links.
Are there any other signs an email is a phishing scam?
Additional red flags include generic greetings, suspicious links, requests for sensitive data, spelling mistakes, threats of account suspension, and unexpected password reset notices.
How can I protect myself from phishing scams?
Be wary of unsolicited messages and avoid clicking links or attachments. Check web URLs carefully. Use strong anti-phishing and antivirus software. Enable multi-factor authentication when available.
What should I do if I’m unsure about a suspicious email?
When in doubt, contact the company directly through their official website or customer service line to verify legitimacy. Report phishing attempts to your email provider.
Can I recover stolen information or money lost in phishing scams?
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to recover compromised data or lost money. This is why education on identifying and avoiding scams is so important.
The Bottom Line
The phishing scam labeled “Your Messages Couldn’t Be Delivered” aims to hijack email accounts and identities by tricking users into visiting fake login pages.
Always scrutinize unsolicited messages claiming to be from companies regarding account issues. Instead of clicking any links, reach out directly to the institution’s official customer service for help.
Carefully check that web addresses begin with ‘https’ and look legitimate before entering any sensitive information online. Avoid complying with urgent requests in messages from unverified senders.
With fraudsters constantly updating their tactics, ongoing awareness against phishing threats is key. Be proactive in safeguarding your email accounts, online identities, and other sensitive information.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
Meet Stelian Pilici
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.
