Outlook.com receiving hundreds of spam emails every few days – is something wrong with my account?

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for help because my Outlook.com/Hotmail account has started receiving an extremely high volume of spam emails.

I'm getting hundreds of spam emails every few days, which doesn't seem normal. While many of them are filtered into the Junk folder, the sheer volume has increased significantly and is becoming very difficult to manage.

I've already:

• Checked my Junk Email settings.
• Blocked senders where possible.
• Avoided interacting with the spam emails.
• Confirmed my account appears secure (no signs of unauthorized access).

I'm wondering:

• Has anyone else experienced such a large increase recently?
• Could there be an issue with Microsoft's spam filtering for my account?
• Is there a way for Microsoft to investigate whether my account has been placed on a spam list or whether the filtering isn't working correctly?

I also used to be able to contact Microsoft through live chat, but I can no longer find that option and every support link redirects me back to Outlook instead of a support agent.

I spoke to Microsoft a while ago as the emails were getting to my inbox and I was getting phone notifications every 5 minutes but I think Microsoft filtered it so that most emails now go into the spam folder and where I get so much spam sometimes I miss emails.

I also had lots of sign in activity from all over the world which has now stopped too.

Any advice from Microsoft moderators or anyone who has had this investigated would be greatly appreciated.

I feel like I may be the subject of a vicious attack.

Thank you.

Answer 1

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.   

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Hi unknown365

Please reply with only these details:

• Are the spam messages mostly in Junk Email, or are many still reaching Inbox?
• Are the messages from the same domains or completely different domains each time?
• Do legitimate messages get incorrectly placed in Junk?
• Is two-step verification already enabled on the Microsoft account?
• Did you try restricting sign-in to a new private alias?

Meanwhile try these remaining steps:

1) Report the messages instead of only deleting or blocking them

In Outlook.com, select one or more spam messages, then use Report and choose Junk or Phishing, depending on the message type.

2) Block domains instead of only individual sender addresses

If the spam comes from many changing addresses but the same domain pattern, block the domain instead of each sender.

• Go to Outlook.com.
• Select Settings.
• Go to Mail > Junk email.
• Under Blocked senders and domains, add the sender or domain.
• Select Save.

3) Protect important messages so they do not get lost in Junk

Since you are receiving a large amount of junk, add trusted senders or important domains to Safe senders and domains.

• Go to Settings > Mail > Junk email.
• Under Safe senders and domains, add trusted senders or domains.
• If a legitimate message is already in Junk Email, mark it as Not junk.

4) Create rules for spam patterns that keep repeating

If the spam has repeated words, subjects, or sender patterns, create a rule to move or delete those messages automatically.

• In Outlook.com, go to Settings > Mail > Rules.
• Select Add new rule.
• Add a condition, such as words in the subject or sender address.
• Choose an action, such as Move to Junk Email, Move to a folder, or Delete.
• Save the rule.

5) Review account security again

Since you mentioned earlier sign-in activity from different locations, review your Microsoft account activity again.

• Go to Microsoft account recent activity.
• Expand any suspicious activity.
• If the activity was not yours, choose This wasn’t me where available.
• Change the password and update security information if Microsoft prompts you.

6) Reduce future sign-in attempts by limiting which alias can sign in

If the Hotmail address is widely exposed and receives repeated sign-in attempts, you can add a new alias and manage how you sign in.

• Go to Manage how you sign in to Microsoft.
• Add a new Outlook.com alias.
• After the new alias is added and verified, review your sign-in preferences.
• Use the new alias privately for sign-in.
• Keep the old address for receiving mail if needed, but avoid using it as your public sign-in address.

7) Contact Outlook.com support from inside the mailbox if needed

Please contact Outlook.com support from inside the mailbox:

• Sign in to Outlook.com.
• Select Help.
• Type your issue, such as large increase in spam emails.
• If self-help does not solve it, scroll to Still need help? and select Yes.
• Include that most messages are going to Junk, that account security has already been reviewed, and that you want to check whether filtering is working as expected.

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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