I keep getting emails for a single-use code.

Anonymous
2023-08-07T16:14:20+00:00

Hi,

I keep getting emails for a single use code in my email. I probably receive 10 emails a day for the past few weeks. And I haven't been trying to request a code.

Email says:

We received your request for a single-use code to use with your Microsoft account.

Your single-use code is: 4*****7

If you didn't request this code, you can safely ignore this email. Someone else might have typed your email address by mistake.

Thanks,

The Microsoft account team

It's quite annoying. The email sender is from ___@___.___

I would like to stop getting these emails as I'm not trying request a code.

Outlook | Web | Outlook.com | Account management, security, and privacy

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2023-08-07T16:45:37+00:00

Hello Priscilla_A,

Welcome to the Microsoft community.

I'm a Microsoft user like you, I hope you're doing well?

I understand how discomforting it can be to receive a one-time security code for your account when you didn't initiate.

However, it's a good idea to ignore this code if you haven't requested it.

One-time code is an essential security feature that prevents unauthorized access to your account. One-time code is required to access your account. These codes can be used only once and has expiration time for their usage.

You may receive one-time code emails if:

  1. Signing into your Microsoft account from a new device or browser.
  2. Resetting your Microsoft account password.
  3. Making changes to your Microsoft account security information.
  4. Signing into your Microsoft account from a new location.
  5. Unusual and suspicious activity is detected on your Microsoft account.

If someone mistakenly enters your account email ID, you can't stop them, that's out of your control (you don't know who it is), All you can do is ignore it, as suggested in the email.

The same applies if someone may be trying to intentionally access your Microsoft account, a one-time code is a security feature that prevents this unauthorised access.

You don't control the actions of others, hence you can't stop it.

If there was a way to stop it, Microsoft would state it in an email rather than suggesting you to ignore it any one-time code you did not initiate.

I will suggest you check your Microsoft account sign-in activity to make sure there are no unauthorised access. You can see a list of devices and browsers that have accessed your account recently.

Microsoft account management website: https://account.live.com/Activity

Here are a few things you can do to make your Microsoft account more secured:

  1. Create a strong password for your account
  2. Use the Microsoft Authenticator phone app to sign in without a password
  3. Make your account easier to recover
  4. Make sure your operating system has the latest updates
  5. Never reply to email asking for your password
  6. Check your recent activity
  7. Keep your devices safe

Click link below for more information:

https://support.microsoft.com/help/628538c2-7006-33bb-5ef4-c917657362b9

If you are receiving blackmail emails, please report this issue to the nearest authorities.

Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

Give back to the community, help the next person who has this problem by pointing out if this answer solved your problem. Click "Yes" or "No" below.

Warm Regards

Was this answer helpful?

500+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

137 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2024-08-27T04:40:43+00:00

    I looked into this as extensively as I could, and I found no perfect solution. I took two steps that were fully within my control:

    1. I opened one of the notifications and marked it as spam. This stops ALL notifications that someone is trying to log in (including yours, so if you are ever logging in and need a one-time code, you will have to remember to check your spam for it.)

    It DOESN’T stop anyone from trying to login, but I am blissfully ignorant of them unless I open my spam.

    1. Since Microsoft hasn’t developed a solution to a clearly widespread and longstanding problem, I stopped using this account for anything going forward. It does not appear to me that any of the hundreds (thousands?) of login attempts on my account have been successful, but I’m taking my activity/use/content away because Microsoft clearly doesn’t care. Bye, Microsoft Outlook. Hello, new Gmail account 😁

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2024-08-27T02:02:21+00:00

    Been hitting me every hour today

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2024-08-27T00:08:21+00:00

    34 in the last couple of days.

    This is getting out of hand.

    Yes, my account has 2FA. Yes, my password is changed often. Yes, I used a secure, long, varied password.

    But this is silly that they can't/won't stop this or give us the option to say, "It's not me" vice just lying to us about "Oh, someone probably made a typo."

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2024-08-25T15:50:10+00:00

    I've had 5 of these already today. Obviously someone is trying to hack my account. Nothing I can do?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments