$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
password reset phishing scam
A fake password reset notification urges the recipient to click a link and enter their current credentials, which are captured by attackers.
“phishing email”
↑ 215%Key indicators
Usually targetsOffice workers
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$600
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~18%
Annual reports290,000
Scam breakdown
1
Attackers send emails mimicking password reset notifications from common services like Microsoft 365, Google, or corporate portals.
2
The link leads to a convincing replica login page that captures entered credentials.
3
Stolen credentials are used to access email, cloud storage, and connected business applications.
What to do first
Never click password reset links you did not request — navigate directly to the service's website.
Related terms
credential harvesting emailfake password expiry noticeaccount security phishingEmail phishing scamsEmailSurgingOffice workersRemote workersIT administratorsFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadacredential harvesting emailfake password expiry notice
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Samantha, 35, a office workers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate email phishing scams situation while using Email. Attackers send emails mimicking password reset notifications from common services like Microsoft 365, Google, or corporate portals.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The link leads to a convincing replica login page that captures entered credentials.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Stolen credentials are used to access email, cloud storage, and connected business applications.
The outcome
Samantha realized something was wrong when the email claims your password will expire or your account will be locked imminently. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Never click password reset links you did not request — navigate directly to the service's website. Samantha's experience shows why the email claims your password will expire or your account will be locked imminently and the reset link url does not match the official domain of the service are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- The email claims your password will expire or your account will be locked imminently
- The reset link URL does not match the official domain of the service
- The email was not triggered by any action you took
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Never click password reset links you did not request — navigate directly to the service's website.
- ✓Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts to limit the damage from stolen passwords.
- ✓Forward suspicious reset emails to your IT department and mark them as phishing.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- Phishing was the most reported cybercrime type to the FBI IC3 in 2023, with credential harvesting being the primary objective of most phishing campaigns.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Never click password reset links you did not request — navigate directly to the service's website.
- ✓Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts to limit the damage from stolen passwords.
- ✓Forward suspicious reset emails to your IT department and mark them as phishing.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
Phishing was the most reported cybercrime type to the FBI IC3 in 2023, with credential harvesting being the primary objective of most phishing campaigns.
FBI IC3 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Office workers, Remote workers, IT administrators
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany
Primary channel
Email — Email phishing scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Office workers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- Phishing was the most reported cybercrime type to the FBI IC3 in 2023, with credential harvesting being the primary objective of most phishing campaigns.
Source notes
- FBI IC3 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about password reset phishing scam
How does the password reset phishing scam work?+
Attackers send emails mimicking password reset notifications from common services like Microsoft 365, Google, or corporate portals. The link leads to a convincing replica login page that captures entered credentials. Stolen credentials are used to access email, cloud storage, and connected business applications.
What are the warning signs of password reset phishing scam?+
The email claims your password will expire or your account will be locked imminently The reset link URL does not match the official domain of the service The email was not triggered by any action you took
What should I do if I encounter password reset phishing scam?+
Never click password reset links you did not request — navigate directly to the service's website. Enable multi-factor authentication on all accounts to limit the damage from stolen passwords. Forward suspicious reset emails to your IT department and mark them as phishing.
Who is most at risk for password reset phishing scam?+
This scam primarily targets Office workers, Remote workers, IT administrators. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and typically appears on Email.
Is password reset phishing scam getting worse?+
password reset phishing scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, DE. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.