I've just received this on my Hotmail account...its headed Microsoft
Dear MSN user
My email address
To continue sending emails, please use the MSN attached file
to upgrade & validate your 'my email' account
This helps automated programs from sending junk emails.
Then there is a notice that all inactive Microsoft accounts will be deactivated in 24 hours.
Clue 1: "Dear MSN user". The absence of your name in there is a dead giveaway that it's spam.
Clue 2: "Then there is a notice that all inactive Microsoft accounts will be deactivated in 24 hours". Anything that suggests it's vital you act within a very short time period is always suspect.
Clue 3: Asking you to open an attachment, which is something you should NEVER do from an untrusted source.