A program that grants points for using Bing search, which users can redeem for gift cards, sweepstakes entries, or charitable donations.
Microsoft accounts and related services such as Microsoft Rewards can be locked when unusual or suspicious activity is detected or when activity appears to violate the Microsoft Services Agreement.
To address a lock or suspected compromise:
- Check for unusual sign-in activity
- Go to the Security basics page: https://account.microsoft.com/security
- Select Review activity and check the Recent activity page for unfamiliar sign-ins or locations. If activity is not recognized, expand it and choose This wasn't me or Secure your account as appropriate.
- If someone else may have accessed the account, return to Security basics and select Change password, then set a strong, unique password.
- If sign-in is blocked as unusual activity
- Follow the instructions on the sign-in screen and choose where a security code can be sent. After receiving the code, enter it to unlock the account.
- If traveling or unable to access the usual email/phone, try signing in from a trusted device or usual location that was previously used with the account. Trusted devices can help regain access.
- If the Microsoft account is locked and “Next” does not appear when signing in
- This indicates the account has been locked due to suspicious activity or a possible violation of the Terms of Use.
- Use the link in the lock message that begins with aka.ms/ and follow the instructions to submit the account reinstatement form.
- After submission, a Microsoft Online Safety support agent reviews the request and responds by email. Submitting multiple forms can slow the response, so only one request should be active.
- If the account appears hacked or taken over
- Use the official guidance for compromised accounts: follow the steps in How to recover a hacked or compromised Microsoft account (malware checks, password reset, and security review).
- If security info (email/phone) was changed by an attacker and the recovery form fails, there is no other supported method to regain access; Microsoft Support cannot override the automated recovery process.
- If the primary email (e.g., Yahoo) is inaccessible
- Recovery of the Microsoft account still depends on successfully completing the Microsoft account recovery and security flows. If the original mailbox cannot be accessed and the recovery form cannot be passed with sufficient correct information, the account may remain unrecoverable.
If the lock was triggered by a hacker’s activity, completing the security checks, reviewing recent activity, changing the password, and submitting the reinstatement form via the aka.ms link are the supported ways to restore access and clear the lock.
References:
- Microsoft account has been locked
- What happens if there's an unusual sign-in to your account
- Hello , welcome to Account help & learning
- my microsoft account has been compromised - Microsoft Q&A
- My account got hacked. - Microsoft Q&A
- My account got hacked - Microsoft Q&A
- How do I send an email to Microsoft about my account being hacked and taken over by <removed> ? - Microsoft Q&A
- Need help with hacked microsoft account - Microsoft Q&A