Microsoft Cashback

Question

I received an email about a Microsoft cashback account. It stated that I would be charged $5 as there is an unused balance in that account. Is this a scam? I'm not wanting to click on any of the links-

Thanks for confirming this is legitimate, or blocking these emails if they are not.

Much Appreciated, Julie

https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcashback.microsoft.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7Ca43e1902e21b48a3cbfd08def73cf3e1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639220038321218793%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=3fdmaF%2F%2B5RpVWxXUg6brUmzLqtiUvSDjs3kZ5Ilz1ks%3D&reserved=0

https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgo.microsoft.com%2Ffwlink%2Fp%2F%3FLinkID%3D823675&data=05%7C02%7C%7Ca43e1902e21b48a3cbfd08def73cf3e1%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639220038321234554%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pUK37IjSbpyXl94EPdY6claKkYU8iLPSnmRznFIdatQ%3D&reserved=0

Answer 1

Hello, thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A.

Microsoft has implemented several AI-powered filters to detect and block spam and phishing emails. However, some SPAM messages like these may occasionally get through these filters.

The message itself appears to be a phishing/scam email that "you will be charged a $5." Microsoft does not charge a maintenance fee for the services it provides. Even if the sender appears to be using a Microsoft domain address, please do not click any links or provide any personal or account information. The hackers can spoof any email address.

Report the message to Microsoft:

You can report the email to Microsoft by selecting the Report option and then choose Report phishing. Microsoft can then investigate the reported message and the sender.

And, move these emails to the Junk email folder.

Answer 2

This is likely a scam.

A message that says an unused Microsoft cashback balance will cause a $5 charge matches a common phishing tactic: creating urgency or fear to push someone into clicking links. Guidance for suspicious order or billing-style messages is to not click links, open attachments, or call numbers in the message.

Recommended actions:

1. Do not click either link in the email.
2. Do not reply to the message.
3. If verification is still needed, open a new browser tab and go to the organization’s official site independently, or sign in to the relevant account using a saved favorite or a manual search to see whether anything actually appears there.
4. In Outlook or Outlook.com, select the message and use Report > Report phishing. This removes it from the Inbox and helps improve filtering.
5. If preferred, simply mark it as junk/spam or delete it.

Useful signs that support treating it as suspicious:

• Unexpected billing or fee threats
• Pressure to act quickly
• Links that should not be trusted directly from the message
• If Outlook shows the sender as unverified, a ? in the sender image, or a via tag, that is another warning sign

If there is concern that the Microsoft account itself was accessed, check recent sign-in activity at the Microsoft account recent activity page.

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