Being sent unrequested verification codes, without sign in activity.

Question

For the past couple days I’ve been getting sent texts reading “use verification code ________ for Microsoft authentication.” I haven’t requested a code in any way. What I don’t get is my phone number isn’t linked to my account for one, but also I checked and there hasn’t been any suspicious sign in activity. I assume it’s a scam text that won’t stop for a while, but I want to be sure someone isn’t trying to get into my account.

Answer 1

Receiving unrequested verification codes can be concerning, especially if you believe your phone number is not linked to any account. This situation may indicate that someone is trying to access an account associated with your phone number, or it could be a scam. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Do Not Respond: Avoid replying to the text messages or engaging with them in any way.
2. Check Account Activity: Regularly monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity. If you have access to any Microsoft accounts, check the sign-in history.
3. Secure Your Accounts: If you suspect that your account may be compromised, consider changing your passwords and enabling additional security measures, such as two-factor authentication.
4. Report the Issue: You can report the suspicious texts to your mobile carrier and consider blocking the number.
5. Use Microsoft Authenticator: If you are using the Microsoft Authenticator app, it can provide a more secure method of authentication that does not rely on SMS.

If the issue persists, you may want to contact Microsoft support for further assistance to ensure that your accounts are secure.

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References:

• Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication
• Troubleshoot Azure Multi-Factor Authentication issues