The public has been warned to remain vigilant against potential scams during and following disruption to Microsoft 365 services.

The disruption is part of a widespread technical issue affecting Microsoft's services around the world, including its Outlook email platform, Microsoft Teams and other Microsoft 365 applications.

The problems began on Thursday (November 12) and have affected users and organisations across several countries, including businesses and government agencies.

The Cyber Security Centre for the Isle of Man has cautioned that criminals may attempt to exploit the outage by posing as Microsoft, IT support providers or other trusted organisations.

Users experiencing problems with Microsoft services, including Outlook, are being urged to be wary of unexpected emails, text messages or phone calls claiming there is an issue with their account or offering to restore access.

A spokesperson from the Cyber Security Centre commented: ‘Don't click unexpected links asking you to sign in or reset your password, never share passwords or verification codes, don't give an unsolicited caller remote access to your device and be wary of anyone requesting payment to restore your account or services.

‘If you're unsure, stop and verify the request using contact details you know and trust.’

The centre also highlighted Microsoft's advice that it does not make unsolicited calls offering technical support, and genuine Microsoft error messages will not contain a telephone number for users to call.

The Isle of Man Constabulary has also encouraged members of the public to share the warning, particularly with people who may be more vulnerable to this type of scam.

A spokesperson said: ‘Please take a moment to pass it on to friends, family members, or others who may be at higher risk.

‘It is especially important to reach those who may not use social media and could otherwise miss this warning. A quick phone call, text, or conversation can make all the difference in preventing someone from becoming a victim.’