Problem redeeming reward points

Question

I have tried to redeem my Microsoft reward points for an Amazon gift card. I have been told my account is suspended and it won't allow me to redeem my points. I have noticed I sometimes have a message saying 'account may be restricted because of suspicious activity'. As I have no idea what this could be, I simply assumed it was an error, as I hadn't done anything 'suspicious'. How do I get my points redeemed?

Answer 1

Hi Amanda Dutton,

Thank you for reaching out Microsoft Q&A about the issue with your Microsoft Rewards account. I understand how frustrating it can be to see your account suspended or flagged for “suspicious activity,” especially when you haven’t done anything unusual.

To help you resolve this, I’d like to share a few suggestions that may help:

1. Switch to a Personal Hotspot

Sometimes, shared or public Wi-Fi networks may be associated with flagged activity, especially if multiple users have accessed Microsoft Rewards from the same IP address. Switching to a personal hotspot (e.g., from your mobile phone) gives you a fresh and private IP address, which may help bypass the restriction and allow redemption.

2. Try a Different Browser or Device

Sometimes browser settings or cached data can interfere with Microsoft Rewards. Try accessing the redemption page using a different browser (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox) or a different device altogether. This can help bypass any local issues that may be contributing to the restriction.

3. Check Your Microsoft Account Security

Visit https://account.microsoft.com/security and log in to your Microsoft account. Look for any alerts or unusual sign-in activity. If anything seems off, follow the prompts to secure your account. Ensuring your account is in good standing can help lift restrictions.

4. Contact Microsoft Rewards Support

Go to https://rewards.bing.com/support and submit a support request. When filling out the form:

• Clearly describe the issue (e.g., “My account is suspended and I cannot redeem my points”).
• Mention that you’ve switched to a personal hotspot and believe the restriction may be a false positive.
• Include your Microsoft account email and any relevant details (e.g., when the issue started, what you tried to redeem).

If the form appears greyed out or inaccessible, try using a different browser or clearing your cache and cookies.

Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions about these steps, I’m happy to assist further.

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Answer 2

Hi,

I'm Sumit, here to help with your query on the Microsoft Q&A forums.

Apologies for any inconvenience you are experiencing. I am happy to help you today.

It appears that your account is currently restricted. Since this is a user-to-user support forum, please file a ticket here so that our employees can review your account and inform you of the issue.

https://rewards.bing.com/support

It may take 4 to 5 days to reply though.

I hope you find this information useful. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to reach out. Otherwise, please take a moment to accept the answer. Wishing you good luck!