Came across this useful Article on MSDN Blogs that might be interesting for you!

Six signs of a scam
1. Request for passwords and other personal information. Most scams are designed to trick people into turning over their passwords, user names, social security numbers, or other personal information. You should never send this information in an email message. For more information, see How to reduce the risk of online fraud.

2. Use of the Microsoft name. Cybercriminals often use the names of well-known companies, like Microsoft, to increase legitimacy and convince you to release your personal information.  For more information, see Avoid scams that use the Microsoft name fraudulently.

Logo for the Microsoft Corporation, used until...
Image via Wikipedia

3. Threats that require you to take action. In the scam above the cybercriminal claims that your account will be deleted if you do not respond with your personal information. Microsoft does not send threatening messages and will not ask for personal information in an email message.

4. Use of real information about Microsoft. The email above uses the correct Microsoft address and a link to the Microsoft privacy statement. Don’t be fooled by these details or others such as Microsoft logos or language you’ve seen on official Microsoft email.

5. Bad grammar and misspellings. Our copyeditors would never have allowed mistakes like the ones in this email to pass their desks. For more information, see How to recognize phishing emails or links.

6. Generic greeting. Legitimate messages are not often addressed to “Account Owner.”  If Microsoft needs to send you official correspondence about your email account, for example, we will address you by name. However, bear in mind that cybercriminals do have ways of getting your name from your email address. Check for other signs of a scam, even if an email is addressed directly to you.

Read Full Article on MSDN Blogs>>

Related articles by Zemanta