Is This A Scam, If So

[trt]

what would they be trying to get, as I use them for hotmailcom?

Dear Email User,

This is to inform you that on 16th March, 2016, Microsoft Outlook will discontinue support on your account and security.


If you choose not to update your account on or before 19th March 2016, you will not be able to read and send emails, and you will no longer have access to many of the latest features for improved, conversations, contacts and attachments.

Take a minute to update your account for a faster, safer and full-featured Microsoft


Click Here To Update Your Account Now

Sincerely

Outlook.com Team

Microsoft respects your privacy. Review our online Privacy Statement.

Microsoft Corporation One Microsoft Way

[EDDIE51]

I have had the same non updated 'Hotmail' account for years and no problems yet.

[Old_Geezer]

"Click here" ? Trying to take over your PC I'd guess.

[woofgang]

when an email says “click here” NEVER EVER click unless you are expecting the email and sure what it is.

[Buenchico]

Simply clicking on the link could be enough to get malware onto your computer. Alternatively you could find that you're directed to a fake Microsoft web page which asks you to confirm your ID in some way (by revealing personal details or bank details).

The 'Dear Email User' (rather being addressed to you by the name you registered your Hotmail account with) is enough to indicate that it's dodgy!

Further, just copying a random sentence from that email and pasting it into a Google search shows that the same email has been received by countless people for at least a year:
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/outlook-discontinue-support-phishing-scam.shtml

[Ken4155]

I keep getting a 'popup' in the bottom right hand corner (no emails as yet) saying that i need to sign back in to my Microsoft account, with a "click here X". I've totally ignored it as my laptop does not seem to mind that i am (apparently) not signed in.

[fiction-factory]

Some are just mischief makers putting viruses on your computer because they know they can. some are putting viruses/malware'keyloggers on there because they are part of a gang that can profit in some way from it.
Others are scammers who will take you to a page where they can collect more info as Buenchico says.
It's a shame that there is no mechanism for charging everyone a nominal sum of 1 or 2 p for every email sent.

[Calibax]

I would be wary of anything that started "Dear Email User" rather than "Dear Mr trt"

[trt]

Thanks everybody

[Iggle Piggle]

run away, quickly !