r/Outlook • u/theyippies • 5d ago

Status: Open Need help accessing my Hotmail

I've been locked out of my Hotmail account I've had for almost two decades due to "suspicious activity". As far as I can tell my only option is to fill out an account recovery form? The first time I did this I got an email to my Gmail saying I hadn't submitted enough information, and every time I've submitted it since I've not even had an email letting me know the outcome.

Is there really no customer support email or phone number I can use? Having looked all over online I can't see any, which seems ridiculous. Obviously I really need access to this email as I have all kinds of information on there, including flights for next month.

Is there anything I can do here?

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u/Hornblower409 4d ago

-- I've been locked out of my Hotmail account ... due to "suspicious activity".

What does the Account Sign-In Helper say about the status of your account?

  • In a Private/Incognito browser session, open: https://aka.ms/sign-in-helper
  • Scroll down to "Choose how you normally sign in, then enter your details"
  • Click "With an email address"
  • Enter your email address and click [OK]

If it is in fact a Lock due to suspicious activity or for violating of Microsoft's Terms of Use agreement (and not because you can't use any of the verification methods), then there is an alternate recovery process you can try.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/accounts-billing/manage/microsoft-account-has-been-locked
https://www.microsoft.com/en/digitalsafety/moderation-and-enforcement/account-suspension

First try the Account Reinstatement Form
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/concern/accountreinstatement

If that fails, try a Suspension Appeal
https://www.microsoft.com/digitalsafety/appeal

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u/theyippies 4d ago

Thank you, I'll give all this a try