Review Your Recent Activity Email Alert Is a Scam – What You Need to Know

Have you ever received an alarming email claiming that someone has logged into your account from another country? The subject line might say something like “We detected recent login activity on your account – please confirm” or “Review your recent activity”. These messages often look legitimate, complete with company logos, timestamps, and a big blue “Secure Account” button.

But here’s the truth: in many cases, these are not real security alerts — they are phishing scam emails designed to steal your personal information, account credentials, or even your money. Cybercriminals use fear to push you into clicking malicious links, and many unsuspecting victims fall into the trap.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into how the “Review Your Recent Activity” scam works, how to recognize the warning signs, what to do if you’ve clicked on one of these emails, and how to protect yourself from future phishing attempts.

Scam Overview

The “Review Your Recent Activity” phishing scam is a classic example of social engineering — a technique that manipulates people’s emotions to make them act impulsively. In this case, scammers mimic legitimate login notification emails from services like Webmail, Google, Microsoft, cPanel, Outlook, or corporate IT systems.

These emails usually claim that:

• There have been suspicious login attempts on your account.
• The logins occurred in different countries (e.g., Nigeria, Spain, USA) to increase the sense of urgency.
• If the logins were not made by you, you should click “Secure Account” or “Review Activity” immediately.
• If you ignore the message, your account may be suspended, compromised, or blocked.

The scam relies on several key psychological triggers:

1. Fear and urgency – The fake alert makes it sound like your account is already under attack.
2. Authority – It appears to come from a trusted source (e.g., Webmail, Outlook, company IT).
3. Legitimacy – It often contains real company names, logos, and formatting similar to genuine alerts.
4. Convenience – The fake button (“Secure Account”) is positioned to look like the logical next step.

Many of these emails are crafted to bypass spam filters and look professional. They often include:

• Company logos (often copied from legitimate emails)
• A table listing fake login attempts (location, browser, time)
• A button or link urging the recipient to “Secure Account”
• Footer sections mimicking real corporate disclaimers (e.g., © 2025 Webmail / cPanel Services)

Once the victim clicks on the “Secure Account” button, they are taken to a phishing site that looks nearly identical to a real login page. The site may imitate:

• Webmail login portals
• Microsoft 365 sign-in
• Google Account sign-in
• Outlook Web Access pages
• cPanel or other email hosting services

When victims enter their username and password, the credentials are immediately sent to the scammers. In many cases, these stolen logins are used to:

• Access the victim’s email account
• Send more phishing emails to contacts (spreading the scam further)
• Reset passwords on other linked accounts
• Gain access to sensitive data or corporate systems
• Sell stolen credentials on the dark web

Why This Scam Is So Effective

Phishing emails like this one work so well because:

• Many people receive legitimate login alerts, making the scam more believable.
• The scammers use geo-locations like “Nigeria, Africa” or “New York, NY” to create urgency.
• The email design is simple and clean, mimicking the structure of real security alerts.
• Users are more likely to react quickly without verifying the authenticity.

Realistic Examples of Fake Login Alerts

Common subject lines include:

• “We have detected recent login activity on your account – please confirm”
• “Your account has been signed in from a new device”
• “Review your recent activity to keep your account secure”
• “Unusual sign-in attempt detected”
• “Secure your account now”

The email body often contains:

• Fake login details with time and location
• A call-to-action button
• Company branding and disclaimers
• Links to phishing websites

The attached screenshot is a perfect example of this scam in action: it shows three suspicious logins (Nigeria, Madrid, New York), each using “Safari on Mac”, and a blue “Secure Account” button below. Everything about the layout is designed to mimic a legitimate security email.

How the Scam Works (Step by Step)

Understanding how the “Review Your Recent Activity” scam works is critical to avoiding it. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the typical scam flow:

Step 1: The Phishing Email Arrives

The victim receives a fake security alert in their inbox. The email may appear to be from:

• Webmail
• Outlook / Microsoft
• Google Workspace
• Corporate IT Security Team
• cPanel / Hosting Provider

It usually contains:

• A list of fake login attempts with specific timestamps and countries.
• A “Secure Account” or “Review Activity” button.
• Threatening language (e.g., “If you do not act, your account will be locked.”)

Step 2: The Victim Feels Urgency and Clicks

Because the email appears to be from a trusted source and shows foreign login attempts, the recipient often panics and clicks the “Secure Account” button without double-checking.

This is exactly what scammers rely on: a split-second decision made under pressure.

Step 3: The Fake Login Page

The button leads the victim to a phishing website. This page often looks identical to the real login page of:

• Outlook Web Access
• Microsoft 365
• Gmail
• Webmail / cPanel portals

Technical tricks like:

• Copying CSS and HTML from legitimate sites
• Using similar domains (e.g., webma1l-secure[.]com instead of webmail.com)
• HTTPS certificates to make the site appear secure
  are commonly used to increase credibility.

Step 4: Victim Enters Credentials

The victim enters their email address and password into the fake login form. The site may even redirect them to the real login page afterward, so the victim might not even realize they’ve been phished.

Meanwhile, their credentials have already been:

• Logged by the scammers
• Stored in their phishing server
• Possibly sent to additional servers for later exploitation or resale

Step 5: Immediate Account Compromise

Once scammers have the victim’s credentials, they can:

• Log into their real email account
• Change the password to lock the victim out
• Access sensitive personal or business information
• Set up email forwarding rules to spy on future communications
• Reset passwords for linked accounts (e.g., PayPal, banking, social media)

Step 6: Further Exploitation

Depending on the target, attackers may:

• Use the account to send phishing emails to colleagues, customers, or family
• Launch business email compromise (BEC) schemes
• Sell the credentials on underground forums
• Harvest additional data for identity theft

Step 7: Spreading the Scam

Compromised accounts are often used to send out the same phishing email to contacts, making the scam appear even more legitimate because it comes from a familiar address.

This multi-layered attack is why these emails are considered one of the most dangerous and effective phishing strategies.

What to Do If You Have Fallen Victim to the “Review Your Recent Activity” Scam

If you clicked on a phishing email or entered your login credentials, act immediately. Every minute counts when responding to phishing compromises. Here’s a step-by-step recovery guide:

1. Change Your Password Immediately

Go to the legitimate website or service (not the email link) and:

• Change your password right away.
• Make sure the new password is strong, unique, and not used on other accounts.

If the attacker already changed the password, use the “Forgot password” option to regain control. If this fails, contact the service provider’s support team directly.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

If your account supports it, enable 2FA (e.g., via an authenticator app, SMS, or hardware token). This adds an extra layer of protection and can block unauthorized logins even if someone has your password.

3. Check for Suspicious Account Activity

Look for:

• Logins from unknown locations or devices.
• Unrecognized forwarding rules or auto-responders.
• Password reset emails or security notifications.
• Suspicious sent messages to your contacts.

Remove any unauthorized access or rules immediately.

4. Revoke Third-Party App Access

Scammers may have granted access to your account through OAuth tokens. Revoke any suspicious apps or services that you don’t recognize.

5. Warn Your Contacts

If your account was used to send phishing messages, notify your contacts immediately so they don’t fall for it too. A short, clear message works best:

“My email account was recently compromised. If you received any suspicious messages from me, do not click on any links or attachments.”

6. Run a Malware Scan on Your Devices

While these phishing scams often target credentials, some may also deliver malware. Use a reputable antivirus or anti-malware tool to scan your computer and phone.

7. Check Other Accounts for Compromise

If you used the same password elsewhere (which you should not), change those passwords too. Attackers often try the stolen credentials on other platforms, such as:

• Banking sites
• Social media
• Online stores
• Cloud services

8. Report the Phishing Email

Reporting helps prevent others from falling victim:

• Forward the email to your IT or security team if it’s a work account.
• For personal accounts, forward phishing attempts to the provider (e.g., reportphishing@apwg.org).
• If applicable, report it to your national cybersecurity agency.

9. Monitor Your Accounts Closely

For at least the next few weeks:

• Keep an eye on login activity.
• Check for unusual transactions.
• Watch for password reset attempts.

Early detection can prevent further damage.

10. Consider a Security Suite or Password Manager

To protect yourself in the future:

• Use a password manager to create strong, unique passwords.
• Keep your security software up to date.
• Consider enabling alerts for login attempts or changes on your accounts.

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.

The Bottom Line

The “Review Your Recent Activity” scam email is a sophisticated phishing attack designed to trick you into handing over your login credentials. Scammers exploit urgency, fear, and trust to get you to click a fake “Secure Account” button without thinking twice.

Here are the key takeaways:

• Always double-check the sender’s email address and the URL of any security alert.
• Never click on links in suspicious emails. Instead, log in directly to your account through your browser.
• Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
• If you fall victim, act fast — change passwords, enable 2FA, check account activity, and report the incident.
• Educate your team, family, or colleagues about these scams to help prevent further spread.

Phishing emails like this are becoming increasingly convincing, but awareness is your best defense. By staying informed and cautious, you can avoid falling into the trap and protect your online accounts from compromise.

FAQ: Review Your Recent Activity Scam Emails

What is the “Review Your Recent Activity” scam email?

It’s a phishing email designed to look like a legitimate login alert from your email provider. It tricks recipients into clicking a malicious link and entering their login credentials on a fake website.

Why do scammers use foreign locations in the email?

They list countries like Nigeria or Spain to create a sense of urgency and panic, pushing victims to click the link quickly.

How can I tell if an email is a phishing attempt?

Look for:

• Generic greetings (e.g., “Dear user”)
• Slightly altered domains (e.g., webma1l-secure[.]com)
• Urgent language and suspicious buttons
• Spelling or grammar errors

What happens if I clicked the link but didn’t enter my password?

If you didn’t enter any information, your account might still be safe. Clear your browser cache, close the page, and do not interact further. Run a malware scan to be safe.

Can these scams bypass spam filters?

Yes. Scammers constantly evolve their tactics to bypass spam detection by using clean HTML, HTTPS, and minimal text that resembles legitimate notifications.

What should I do if my account has already been hacked?

• Change your password immediately.
• Enable 2FA.
• Check for and remove suspicious forwarding rules.
• Warn your contacts.
• Report the incident to your provider or IT department.

How can I avoid future phishing scams?

• Don’t click on links in suspicious emails.
• Bookmark your login pages and access them directly.
• Use strong, unique passwords.
• Enable 2FA everywhere possible.
• Educate yourself on phishing techniques.

Are these emails only targeting personal accounts?

No. These phishing emails also target businesses, schools, and organizations. Corporate accounts are especially valuable to attackers.

Should I report the phishing email?

Yes. Reporting helps providers improve their spam filters and can prevent others from falling victim. Forward the email to security teams or report it through your email provider’s built-in tools.

Are “Secure Account” buttons in emails always dangerous?

No — some are legitimate, but you should never trust them blindly. The safest method is to open your browser manually and go directly to the service’s official login page.

Final Thoughts

Phishing scams like the “Review Your Recent Activity” email have evolved to look almost indistinguishable from legitimate security alerts. They use urgency, fear, and trust to manipulate people into giving away their credentials.

The good news is that with awareness, caution, and security best practices, you can protect yourself. Always verify before you click. Use 2FA wherever possible. Act fast if compromised. And most importantly — educate others so fewer people fall for these scams.

Staying alert is your best defense.