Hacked my email

Follow these steps immediately to secure the Outlook.com account and then deactivate it if desired.

1. Recover and secure the Microsoft/Outlook.com account

• Use the official Sign-in Helper to start hacked-account recovery and unblocking: Sign-in Helper.
• If sign-in is still possible, go to the Security basics page and:
  • Select Review activity and check the Recent activity page for sign-ins that are not recognized. Mark unknown activity as This wasn’t me or Secure your account as described in the unusual sign-in guidance.
  • Change the password immediately to a strong, unique one.
• If the account is blocked due to unusual activity, use the Sign-in Helper from the “Unblock my Outlook.com account” article to complete verification and unblock.

2. Check for ongoing hacker access Once signed in again:

• In Outlook.com on the web, check:
  • Settings → Mail → Rules and delete any suspicious rules (for example, rules that move mail to hidden folders or create drafts).
  • Mail → Forwarding and remove any unknown forwarding addresses.
• On the Microsoft account side, sign in to the security page and:
  • Use Sign out everywhere (or equivalent sign-out controls) to end active sessions.
  • Review and remove any unrecognized app permissions or connected apps.

3. Handle the threatening email

• Do not reply, click links, or open attachments in the threatening message.
• Delete the email after taking screenshots or copies if needed for law enforcement.
• Inform contacts from another email or channel that the account was compromised so they can ignore suspicious messages from the hacked address.

4. Fix language and security info

• After regaining access, change the display language in Outlook.com and the Microsoft account settings back to the preferred language.
• Add or update security info (alternate email and phone) so recovery is easier in the future, as recommended in the Outlook.com protection guidance.

5. Deactivate/close the Outlook.com/Microsoft account (if no longer wanted)

• If the account is accessible and secured, follow the “How to close your Microsoft account” process referenced from the Outlook.com close-account article.
• Be aware that closing the Microsoft account will affect all connected services (Outlook.com email, OneDrive, Xbox, purchases, etc.).

6. Protect devices and other accounts

• Run a full antivirus scan on all devices used with this account and install all OS security updates.
• Change passwords on any other services that used the same or similar password.

If sign-in is no longer possible even after using the Sign-in Helper and recovery flows, the automated recovery system is the only supported path; if it fails, the account may not be recoverable and should be treated as permanently compromised while securing other accounts and devices.

References:

• How to recover a hacked or compromised Microsoft account
• Unblock my Outlook.com account
• Help protect your Outlook.com email account
• What happens if there's an unusual sign-in to your account
• Close your Outlook.com account
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