Determine if two classic emails are really from Microsoft or not?

Question

I've received two emails that says they're turning off my classic outlook unless I follow their instructions. I'm hesitant to open up the emails unless you can confirm that they're legit or not.

If I had the option, I can send a screen shot of what I consider two suspicious emails. Who may I send it to? Thx, Erik

Answer 1

To determine if the emails you received are genuinely from Microsoft, follow these steps:

1. Check the Sender's Email Address: Microsoft support emails typically come from specific domains. Verify that the sender's email address ends with one of the following domains:
   • microsoft.com
   • microsoftsupport.com
   • mail.support.microsoft.com
   If the email is from a different domain, such as ******@outlook.com or ******@microsoft.net, it is likely a phishing attempt.
2. Look for Common Signs of Phishing: Be cautious of emails that:
   • Request personal or financial information.
   • Contain links that do not match the domain of the sender.
   • Have poor grammar or spelling mistakes.
   • Ask you to enable macros or adjust security settings.
   • Are unsolicited or unexpected.
3. Do Not Click Links or Open Attachments: If you suspect the emails are not legitimate, do not click on any links or open attachments included in the emails.
4. Report Suspicious Emails: If you believe the emails are phishing attempts, you can report them to Microsoft. You can use the built-in report feature in Outlook or submit them through the Microsoft submission portals.
   • For Outlook, you can use the built-in Report button to report the message.
   • Admins can report messages through the Microsoft Defender portal.
5. Seek Further Guidance: For more detailed information on how to identify phishing emails and report them, refer to Microsoft's guidelines on protecting yourself from phishing.

If you have screenshots of the emails, you can report them directly to Microsoft for analysis, but do not share them publicly or with unverified sources.

---

References:

• How do I know if an email from Microsoft support is genuine?
• How do I report a suspicious email or file to Microsoft?

Answer 2

Is Microsoft abandoning classic Outlook this year? Erik S.