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Hotmail account being used for scam

Debbie Wells 20 Reputation points
2026-04-25T12:12:47.8566667+00:00

My non Microsoft email has been hacked and all emails were redirected to a hotmail account. How can I report this account? Or get it deleted? Or wrestle it from the grasp of the scammers?

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Email
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Answer accepted by question author

Alice-N 9,700 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-04-27T03:40:36.6166667+00:00

Please note that this is a user-to-user community. As moderators, I have limited access to internal development details. My role is to direct users to the appropriate support channels and resources. While I cannot provide backend analysis, I will do my best to assist you within my responsibilities.   

Hi Debbie Wells

I understand you’re dealing with a non‑Microsoft email account that was compromised, where the attacker set up forwarding/redirecting to a Hotmail address, and you’d like to stop the abuse and report the Hotmail account. I am happy to help. Could you confirm:

  • Which provider hosts the hacked non‑Microsoft email (Gmail, Yahoo, ISP, etc.)?
  • Have you already removed the forwarding/redirect/rule from that account?

Please kindly:

1) Stop the abuse first

The scam only continues as long as the attacker’s forwarding/redirect/rules are still active on your original mailbox.

  • Sign in to your email provider’s webmail/settings and remove any forwarding address, redirect, or mail rules/filters that send copies of your mail externally. (This must be done at your provider since the mailbox isn’t hosted by Microsoft.)
  • Before changing anything else, secure your device(s) (run a malware/antivirus scan) and then change the password for the hacked account. After you regain control, enable multi‑factor authentication (MFA/2‑step verification) with that email provider if they offer it.

2) Report the Hotmail account / content to Microsoft

  • If you have scam emails that show the Hotmail/Outlook.com sender, use Microsoft’s reporting options in Outlook on the web (if you received it there): 
  • If this is fraud/scam activity and you want to file a fraud report, submit a report through Microsoft’s fraud portal: Report Fraud - Microsoft

Please tell me how it goes. If the problem persists, please don’t hesitate to reply to this thread and I will be happy to help. Have a lovely day!  

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  1. AI answer

    2026-04-25T12:13:12.8933333+00:00

    The Hotmail account receiving the redirected mail belongs to Microsoft’s consumer service, so it cannot be deleted or reassigned on request if it is not owned. Focus instead on reporting it and protecting the compromised non‑Microsoft account.

    1. Report the Hotmail account and related phishing/scam activity
    • If scam or phishing emails from that Hotmail address arrive in any Outlook.com or Microsoft 365 Outlook mailbox:
      • Select the suspicious message.
      • On the ribbon, choose Report > Report phishing. This both reports the message to Microsoft and helps improve filters so fewer such messages get through in the future.
    • If the scam appears in Microsoft Teams (for those using it):
      • Hover over the malicious message → More options > More actions > Report this message → choose Security risk - Spam, phishing, malicious content → Report.
    • If a suspicious website is involved (for example, a link in the scam email):
      • In Microsoft Edge, select Settings and more (…) → Help and feedback → Report unsafe site, or use the unsafe-site reporting page referenced in the documentation.
    • If using a non‑Outlook email client but still receiving phishing from that Hotmail address:
      • Create a new email and attach the original phishing message (do not forward it) and send it to ******@office365.microsoft.com so Microsoft can examine the full headers.
    1. Secure the non‑Microsoft account that was hacked
    • Use that provider’s official account recovery and security guidance to:
      • Regain access and remove any forwarding rules that send mail to the Hotmail account.
      • Change the password to a strong, unique one.
      • Enable multi‑factor authentication (MFA/2FA) if available.
    • Once forwarding is removed and the account is secured, the scammers lose their ongoing access to new mail.
    1. Protect any Outlook.com or Microsoft account involved If any Microsoft/Outlook.com account is also at risk or used in the scam chain:
    • Follow the official hacked-account recovery path: How to recover a hacked or compromised Microsoft account. This uses Microsoft’s automated identity checks and is the only supported way to reclaim a compromised Microsoft account.
    • For Outlook.com accounts, review recent activity at the page referenced in the documentation to see sign-in locations and times, and add alternate email and phone security info so recovery is easier if it is ever compromised.
    • Keep devices updated and use antivirus software to reduce the chance of future compromise.

    These steps ensure the scam is reported to Microsoft, the forwarding path is cut off at the hacked non‑Microsoft account, and any Microsoft accounts in the chain are secured using the supported recovery and protection tools.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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