Microsoft has blocked my <PII removed> @outlook,com email because of suspicous log in attempts

Question

My <PII removed>@outlook.com has been blocked by Microsoft fbecause of suspicious log in failures.

To prove I am the correct uswer of my mail I have to submit a form that includes previous forgotten passwords, recent email addresses of people I have sent to, the ecact wording of the Subject and a security question "where my mother was born".

I have sent the form 3x and all have been rejected because "the information you provided was not sufficient for us to validate your account ownership."

Here are the problems

1. I had to create a new e-mail address so I could get people to reply/send me recent messages I had sent along with the exact wording in the Subject. When I created the new e-mail I was not prompted to provide a security question and I cannot recall ever being asked a security question. In other situations I have been asked and they were 1st car, High School, Name of 1st dog etc. I would have never picked My mothers birthp[lace as I am not sure where it wasand it would have been a guess which is what I did in this case, since if there was one that would have been my guess.
2. In the blocked e-mail when I creat a messgae, the address pops up after a few letters and I select it. I cannot remember if its ,com,.org or whatever other ones are used. As for the exact wording of the subject, impossible. So I copied and pasted the information so it was correct.
3. Previous Passwords. I hate changing passwords so the only time I do is when I have FORGOTTEN them. Now I am being ask to remember them. This e-mail account is critical to my work my volunyeer work as a 35 year EMS and Fire Fighter Volunteer, a 35 year volunteer to help individuals the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and spend summers removing Aquatic invasive species from lakes. This is day 5 of my trying to get my account unlocked and has caused a huge problem in my daily activities. W J. Hogan
4. <PII removed>

Answer 1

If your Outlook account has been blocked due to suspicious login attempts, it can be frustrating, especially when the recovery process is not yielding results. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Wait and Retry: Microsoft often temporarily locks accounts after multiple failed sign-in attempts. It is advisable to wait for about 24 hours before trying to recover your account again. During this time, avoid any further login attempts to prevent resetting the cooldown period.
2. Use Familiar Devices and Locations: When you attempt to fill out the account recovery form, do so from a device and location that you have previously used to access your account. This can help in validating your identity.
3. Review Security Information: If you can briefly access your account, check your security information, including recovery email addresses and phone numbers. Remove any unfamiliar information that may have been added without your consent.
4. Alternative Recovery Options: If you do not remember the answers to security questions or previous passwords, look for options like "I don’t have any of these" during the recovery process, which may trigger an alternative recovery method.
5. Contact Microsoft Support: If you continue to face issues, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support directly. You can explain your situation and seek assistance in recovering your account. Use any account you can access to contact support, or create a new one if necessary.
6. Document Everything: Keep a record of all attempts and communications you have made regarding the recovery process. This documentation can be helpful if you need to escalate the issue.

It’s important to remain patient and persistent, as account recovery can sometimes take time due to security measures in place to protect your information.

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References:

• Why can't I log in to my Outlook account? - Microsoft Q&A
• Unable to change password in my Outlook - Microsoft Q&A
• My Microsoft account is blocked. - Microsoft Q&A

Answer 2

Hello. I know this is extremely frustrating, especially when the account is important to your day-to-day life.

First, when you try signing in at https://account.microsoft.com, does it clearly say the account is locked for security reasons, or are you able to sign in but email will not send or receive?

For recovery, use this official form and take your time with it:

Note: This recovery method is completely different from the usual account recovery form and is specifically for accounts that have been compromised. Although it says it’s from Xbox, it works for your Microsoft account regardless.

https://support.xbox.com/en-US/forms/recover-your-microsoft-account

One section that many people unintentionally overlook is “Alternate emails or phone numbers associated with the account.” This is not asking for something new. It’s asking for anything that was ever linked to the account in the past, even if it’s no longer active. Examples include:

• A previous recovery email address
• An old phone number used for verification
• Another email account that ever received security codes from this Outlook account

Adding as much verified historical information there as you can gives Microsoft more signals to confirm ownership.

A few other important tips when completing the form:

• Be as accurate as possible. Guessing, especially on security questions, lowers the chance of approval.
• Submit the form from the same device, browser, and network you used in the past, if possible.

After submitting, watch for an email from msaccountsafety@microsoft.com with a case number that starts with SIR. Be sure to check Junk and Spam folders.