Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

How Do I Report Scammers?

Jun 6, 2012 3:34AM PDT

Whilst probably not the best question title, I can't find out how to report a person (or bot) that is constantly trying to access my account.

In the last hour, I've had 23 emails from Live with the following message, which is sent out when someone uses the 'forgot password' system:

'Please use the code xxxxxxx to use your Windows Live ID from an unrecognized computer.'

How do I report this?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Back to Windows Live
Jun 6, 2012 3:48AM PDT
- Collapse -
..
Jun 6, 2012 4:04AM PDT

Thanks for the reply, Mark.

I should probably have mentioned that I don't have a hotmail/msn/live email account, but the account they're trying to access is my Live ID account, which is attached to a gmail account.

This isn't spam or unsolicited emails, but someone trying to force access to my account.

- Collapse -
I would still call it abuse
Jun 6, 2012 4:11AM PDT

I'm in my Windows Live ID account now and at the bottom of the page I see a link to "Report Abuse", then "People Abuse".

This is abuse. Someone appears to be attempting to access your account.

Mark

- Collapse -
I didn't say it wasn't abuse
Jun 6, 2012 4:33AM PDT

I only have 'Profile Abuse' and the ability to report myself.

What's the URL of the page you're looking at?

- Collapse -
I'm not sure mine will work
Jun 6, 2012 4:41AM PDT

because I am logging on from the UK.

But when I log in I see Report Abuse bottom right and the link for that is https://support.live.com/default.aspx?productkey=wlpeople

In the next page that list where you can see Profile Abuse. If you see the same list, can you see 3 above that, "People Abuse"? My link is https://support.live.com/default.aspx?productkey=wlpeopleabuse

I can only suggest that one because I tried some of the others and they didn't seem to fit.

But in People Abuse there are options to select the type of abuse, perhaps "Other", and also to state exactly what the abuse is.

The only sticking point there that I can see is "Location of Abuse". I can't see one that fits,so I would use Network.

Try that and see if you can send a report.

Mark

- Collapse -
Sorted Now
Jun 6, 2012 4:44AM PDT

My next question was your geographical location. Heh. I'm in the UK as well.

I've submitted a ticket now, so hopefully action will be taken soon.

Thanks for your help.

- Collapse -
That's great.
Jun 6, 2012 4:57AM PDT

Well, I mean you were able to submit a ticket.

Good luck again and I hope they can get this problem sorted for you.

Did you enjoy the Jubilee? I must admit I'm a bit of a softie and did enjoy it. Happy

Mark

- Collapse -
Bleeping Microsoft
Jun 6, 2012 7:15PM PDT

Just to update, I had a bot-generated response from Microsoft on how to reset my password. I've now replied with an explanation on why it's important to read support tickets carefully and how this type of attack works.

Yeah, I did enjoy the Jubilee. My local town council organised celebrations were very underwhelming, so we ended up in the pub, watching Gary Barlow's thing on TV. That made it all ok. I loved it when the whole pub stood for the anthem.

- Collapse -
Ohh that's not good.
Jun 6, 2012 8:04PM PDT

Automated responses, don't you just love them?

How about asking in their Microsoft Answers forums? You can do that with your Live ID login and searching for "Windows Live ID"

I managed to find the forum listing here; http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/Search/Search?SearchTerm=Windows+Live+ID&CurrentScope.ForumName=windowslive&CurrentScope.Filter=&askingquestion=false

But that might be specific to my login.

In fact they don't make it easy or intuitive. Microsoft Answers link (US, no UK), is http://i2.answers.microsoft.com/static/images/branding_answers_logo.png?ver=2.3.1.53

(Sorry, the link doesn't work for me now).

From there, in the search box, select "Ask a question", type in Windows live ID, then click Ask, and you should get a submission box for your question.

I've used them as a resource for answers for these forums often and many of the better answers are offered by Microsoft's Most Valued person (MVP) responses.

Other than that, what about a phone call to MS UK? http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/phone/contact.aspx?country=United%20Kingdom

I'm not sure what Derby did for the Jubilee but I had some friends round and we watched some of the concert. I watched Gary Barlow's journey around the Commonwealth later. Did you see where he got to escort the Queen to the concert stage? Wow, what an honour! Happy

Mark

- Collapse -
Sorry I forgot to ask
Jun 6, 2012 8:05PM PDT

Is this hacking attempt still happening?

Mark

- Collapse -
Yes
Jun 7, 2012 12:36AM PDT

Yep, though not as frequent. Every 4 hours, I get 20 emails within seconds of eachother, so clearly a brute-force attack.

I'm amazed at the slackness of Microsoft to be honest. That account isn't important to me, but it could happen to others that rely on their services.

- Collapse -
That's bad
Jun 8, 2012 6:08AM PDT

I would certainly consider calling Microsoft. At the very least they could tell you the proper procedure for reporting it.

Mark