Single use code

Question

I have received two emails in last 3 days from Microsoft account team******@accountprotection.microsoft.com and the contains similar messages as below

"Hi ******@xxxxx.com,

We received your request for a single-use code to use with your Microsoft account.

Your single-use code is: xxxxxx

Only enter this code on an official website or app. Don't share it with anyone. We'll never ask for it outside an official platform.

Thanks,

The Microsoft account team

Privacy Statement: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=521839

Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052"

The two different codes are received on my two different emails. I have never asked for such a single-use code and hence, I have ignored the emails.

What is this?

Regards

Vinay

Answer 1

Those messages are legitimate Microsoft account security emails and indicate that someone (or something) tried to sign in to those Microsoft accounts and requested a verification/single-use code.

Key points:

1. The sender domain @accountprotection.microsoft.com is an official Microsoft domain used for account security notifications, including verification codes and account updates.
2. Receiving such codes without requesting them usually means:
   • Someone is trying to access the account using the email address, or
   • Someone mistyped their own email and entered these addresses by mistake, or
   • A previously requested prompt/code was delayed in delivery.
3. As long as the code is not entered anywhere and the email is ignored or deleted, the account remains safe. The code alone does not give access without the correct password and other checks.
4. If these emails were not requested:
   • Do not share or use the codes.
   • Ensure the Microsoft account password is strong and unique.
   • Consider reviewing security info and enabling additional protection (for example, Microsoft Authenticator) if not already in place.
   • Continue to deny or ignore any prompts or codes that were not initiated.

If verification codes stop arriving when actually needed, follow the guidance in the verification-code troubleshooting article to check junk folders, trusted senders, and other delivery issues.

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References:

• Can I trust email from the Microsoft account team?
• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• Using Outlook mobile to sign in