Inundated with junk mail, no help from Microsoft

Question

Inundated with junk mail, no help from Microsoft

Rosemary and Keith Webster 0

During the past couple of months we have been inundated with junk mail, some of it going to the inbox (usually pretending to be from Microsoft which we never open) but mostly into junk, usually about betting (which we never do). We report the junk and delete it unread, but it still comes, about 30 a day. I have tried 3 times to get help from Microsoft, the last chap took over my computer but couldn’t help. The filters are at their highest apparently, and the safe senders list is as it should be. He told me I’d got on to the dark web but couldn’t tell me what to do about it. Ive changed the password but no difference. We pay a lot to Microsoft, but there seems to be no way of complaining. We are at our wits end. The only option seems to be to change our email address but this would be hugely inconvenient. Please help. Thank you. I do not understand the drop down options below, so I’ve chosen a parent and child randomly..

Rosemary and Keith Webster 0 Reputation points

2026-02-20T12:37:06.26+00:00

Thank you. I’ve done this, and it says there have been 7 data breaches since 2012 …. I can’t find specific details though, so please can you tell me what to do about it? I’ve already changed my password for outlook … and I have strong passwords for everything else …
Neil D 32,325 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-02-20T12:46:09.8466667+00:00

There isn't much you can do about it other than keep flagging the emails as spam or phishing. The fact your email is available to others after a data breach means it could have been sold along with thousands/millions of others.

Generally the amount of spam you get will reduce as you keep ignoring them. The senders will move on after some time has passed, but it could take many months. It doesn't mean you have a problem with your account. Changing passwords and using 2FA is a good idea for keeping your account safe. Also Microsoft offer an option for passwordless using their Authenticator app on a mobile/cell phone.

How to go passwordless - Microsoft

Microsoft Phone app
Rosemary and Keith Webster 0 Reputation points

2026-02-20T15:19:39.5366667+00:00

Thank you for your help.

3 answers

Your answer

Rosemary and Keith Webster 0 Reputation points

2026-02-20T12:37:06.26+00:00

Thank you. I’ve done this, and it says there have been 7 data breaches since 2012 …. I can’t find specific details though, so please can you tell me what to do about it? I’ve already changed my password for outlook … and I have strong passwords for everything else …
Neil D 32,325 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-02-20T12:46:09.8466667+00:00

There isn't much you can do about it other than keep flagging the emails as spam or phishing. The fact your email is available to others after a data breach means it could have been sold along with thousands/millions of others.

Generally the amount of spam you get will reduce as you keep ignoring them. The senders will move on after some time has passed, but it could take many months. It doesn't mean you have a problem with your account. Changing passwords and using 2FA is a good idea for keeping your account safe. Also Microsoft offer an option for passwordless using their Authenticator app on a mobile/cell phone.

How to go passwordless - Microsoft

Microsoft Phone app
Rosemary and Keith Webster 0 Reputation points

2026-02-20T15:19:39.5366667+00:00

Thank you for your help.

Answer 1

Jeronimo Fuerte 35,230 Independent Advisor

Hi! Sorry to hear about this situation. Are those emails coming from the same sender domain / mail server, or are they coming from different servers (but only from a few specific ones)?

If it’s only happening with one or a small set of servers/domains, the best next step is to block the sender domain and/or add it to a blocked list, because many of these “problem” messages come from bulk-mail systems that are mostly used for this purpose.

Rosemary and Keith Webster 0 Reputation points

2026-02-20T12:29:18.6166667+00:00

I’m afraid I don’t know how to find out the sender domain/mail server without opening the email, which I didn’t think it was wise to do. Please can you tell me more? Thanks
Jeronimo Fuerte 35,230 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-02-20T15:05:54.1033333+00:00

If you place the mouse pointer over the sender’s name, you can see the full email address. Then you can block the text after the @ (the domain), so emails from that server will be filtered as spam automatically.
Rosemary and Keith Webster 0 Reputation points

2026-02-20T15:20:11.2766667+00:00

Thank you
Jeronimo Fuerte 35,230 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-02-20T15:47:31.36+00:00

Its a pleasure.
Neil D 32,325 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-02-20T16:01:56.9266667+00:00

@Rosemary and Keith Webster

That method is a good idea for unknown domains. If the domain is Gmail.com or Outlook.com (or other known trusted domains) you could be blocking messages you want to receive.

Answer 2

Neil D 32,325 Volunteer Moderator

Enter your email address at Have I been Pwned - Check if your email address has been leaked in a data breach

Answer 3

CrazyKats 14,815 Volunteer Moderator

Hi,

I also get a lot of junk mail.

From what I've noticed it comes

from reading articles from the Widget

or MSN.

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Inundated with junk mail, no help from Microsoft

3 answers

Your answer