single use code

Question

On Thursday, May 21st, my gmail inbox received an email from Microsoft account team, stating "we received your request for a single-use code to use with your Microsoft account." Then it gave me a link to click regarding a Privacy Statement.

I had been camping since the 20th and I had not touched my computer at all since then. I did NOT request a single use code from you and I know I hadnt logged into my Microsoft account several days before then.

I wanted to know if someone was trying to hack into my Microsoft account because I didn't request this one time code ever.

Please respond.

Answer 1

Sign into the account here: https://account.microsoft.com, then go to Security to review the sign in activities. When you reviewed the account's sign in activities, Click into those labeled as "unsuccessful sign in", you can click on it to expand it to review the Session activity. If it is incorrect password, it won't generate a code. And there's nothing to worry about. If it is request denied xxx, that means this activity had your password entered correctly, and a code was generated, but it didn't pass the two factor verification. In the latter scenario, you want to change the password asap.

If you can NOT find any unsuccessful sign-in with the "request denied" labeling, it can mean that someone else left your contact information as their security info, usually due to typo. In this case, your account is not in any danger. Unfortunately there's also nothing you can do about it until this other user realized they needed to update their contact info.

Another way to find out which scenario is yours is to go to the account https://account.microsoft.com click on Security > Advanced Security options, set up authentication app instead. That way, if you continue to receive code via text or email instead, you would know 100% that it is NOT about your account, but someone else left your phone/email as their contact info due to typo.

Answer 2

Yes, this can indicate that someone tried to sign in to the Microsoft account and requested a verification/single-use code, even though the sign-in was not completed.

Key points based on the behavior described:

1. When Microsoft detects a sign-in attempt or a request for a verification/single-use code, it sends an email or text to the security contact methods on file. This is designed to protect the account and alert the owner to unusual activity.
2. If a verification code or single-use code email arrives and it was not requested, one of the following is likely:
   • Someone is trying to access the account.
   • Someone accidentally entered the email address when trying to sign in to their own account.
   • A previously requested code was delayed in delivery.
3. The email is genuine if it is from the Microsoft account team using the domain @accountprotection.microsoft.com or from ******@accountprotection.microsoft.com. These are legitimate Microsoft senders for account security notifications.
4. If the code was not requested, do not use or respond to that code. Without the code, an attacker cannot complete the sign-in.

Recommended actions:

1. Verify the email sender:
   • Confirm the message is from @accountprotection.microsoft.com or ******@accountprotection.microsoft.com.
   • If needed, view the email’s message headers to confirm it originated from Microsoft.
2. Review recent sign-in activity:
   • Go to the Security basics page.
   • Select Review activity to open the Recent activity page and check for unusual sign-ins (unknown locations, devices, or times).
   • If any activity is not recognized:
     • For entries under Unusual activity, expand the event and select This wasn’t me.
     • For entries under Recent activity, expand the event and select Secure your account.
3. Secure the account immediately if anything looks suspicious:
   • From the Security basics page, select Change password and set a strong, unique password not used on other sites.
   • Ensure security info (phone numbers, alternate emails, and sign-in methods) is up to date and belongs only to the account owner.
4. Consider going passwordless for stronger protection:
   • Set up Microsoft Authenticator, Windows Hello, or a security key as a sign-in method. These methods are more resistant to guessing, theft, or phishing than passwords.

If future verification or single-use code messages arrive without being requested, continue to ignore the codes, monitor Recent activity, and keep password and security info updated.

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References:

• Can I trust email from the Microsoft account team?
• Troubleshoot Microsoft verification code issues
• What happens if there's an unusual sign-in to your account
• Check the recent sign-in activity for your Microsoft account