When phishing scams are reported to Outlook what happens to them?

Hi JEANNEBATACAN,

How are you? I hope that you are doing well.

I'm Wayne from Microsoft Community. I know that you have some questions and opinion regarding to what really happens to those email addresses that are being reported by users.

First, once an email address is reported, we have to conduct a thorough investigation regarding the reports being sent. Of course, that all those email addresses that are being reported are doing something wrong so we really need to investigate.

Also, in the first place, Microsoft's email programs has a built in anti-phishing detection. We have a tight security when it comes to this and detection helps prevent fraudulent emails from reaching you.

But once an email address is tagged as a legitimate scam/threat to users, we don't just block them in your end. They are blocked in every way possible from Outlook.com users. Not just you but to other users as well.

It's true that they can create another email address but again, Microsoft's tight security would not permit these kind of fraudulence reaching our users. Like what I have mentioned earlier, we have a built in anti-phishing detection that protects and shields users from scams.

If you have further questions or if you need any clarifications, just post back. We're just here for you.

Have a nice day and take care now.

You block them only "after" your team investigates?

When someone I do not know is asking me to help them put money into my account [and asks for my personal information] or wants to "update" an account of mine, or any other request to get personal information from me, I consider that a pishing scam.

If you block that person from my Outlook account only after an investigation......I'd rather just dump them into my block sender option right from the get-go.

I was under the impression that these scammers were being delt with in some way.

So......if my attempt to report them does not result in punishment or fines or some other action, I will simply block them myself - and save you the trouble.

Correct me if I am wrong.

I had the same question. If that's all that happens with my pishing "reports", I could just as easily place them in my blocked folder myself.

Having that option gives "us" a false sense that something is being "done" about scammers.

I'm disappointed Outlook.

Hi oli merge,

I understand that you want to ensure the privacy and security of your account.

In addition to the post of my colleague, Denise T., a reported phishing website must be confirmed by reputable sources as fraudulent. One of our support team shall investigate the website and/or email address/es thoroughly before we block them. For more information about this issue, I suggest that you visit this link.

If you have other questions or clarifications, please let us know.

Thank you.