Fake email NOT from Microsoft Account team but from HACKERS

I've been advised to check my Microsoft Recent Activity but, as usual, there's yet another problem. The mobile phone number there is now wrong - that was easy to change but I now have to wait 30 days before I can view the Report!!

Is there really nothing else that can be done?

It's clearly a fake email so doesn't that increase the possibility that someone else is trying to access my account?

Surely if Microsoft has detected an unusual sign-in attempt from an IP address from Namibia (with or without your correct password) Microsoft will have logged it somewhere as a security challenge.

I've changed my password in the meantime.

"I've changed my password in the meantime."

No I haven't - I can't because it's part of the 30 days embargo as above.

Come on Microsoft - there MUST be a way that I can change my password now.  I really would appreciate some urgent help.

My wife has just had this text: "Someone started a process to replace all of the security info for the Microsoft Account *** Email address is removed for privacy ***. If this was you, click the button below to bypass the waiting period by using your existing security info."

She clicked on THIS WAS ME and was asked to log into her Microsoft Account. She hasn't got one. Her email address is in the security check only because MS insisted at that time on two ways to contact us. The prime way is via her mobile phone to enable them to text the four-digit code needed when changing details.

If the Microsoft system would have enabled her to bypass the waiting period if she had a Microsoft Account (and so change my password immediately to stop a possible hack) why do I have to wait 30 days? It's my blasted account.

I know you're all busy but this is areal security risk as far as I can see so will someone PLEASE tell me what I must do?

We're coming up to three days since I posted what for me is a real security risk, and still no-one from the forum has helped me. That is so disappointing, to say the least.

I still have a Live mail account - will it be easier for you if I ask them?

A helpful expert in another community suggested that I first try checking the recent activity vis two routes:

1. THIS MICROSOFT ARTICLE - that won't help me because I've tried to change my password (what you tell me is the first thing that I must do) and I'm now blocked until the 21st MARCH because of your procedures, and

2. Via my Account settings but I get this:

presumably linked to the 30 days embargo. The only help I've got so far is from someone in another Company's forum.

Edited to add: I wonder how long it will be before scammers figure out how to fake this shield icon and pop-up message as well.

Also to move to emails forum to see if someone there will help me.

Why won't you reply to a plea for Help regarding a serious security risk? Is there an Insider passing by who can escalate this, please?

She clicked on THIS WAS ME and was asked to log into her Microsoft Account. She hasn't got one. Her email address is in the security check only because MS insisted at that time on two ways to contact us. The prime way is via her mobile phone to enable them to text the four-digit code needed when changing details.

She should login to your Microsoft Account.  There would be no reason to login to a different Microsoft account.

I went to View Recent Activity, got the Embargo page and cancelled my Password Change request. Input the texted security code and was then sent a Recovery code in the format

ANANA-AAAAA-NAAAN-AAANA-NANAA. (I'll swot up on this tomorrow.)

Finally got to the Activities page - all UK, none from Namibia - and the only security concerns were related to this episode.

But I will change my password - I do it for all of my other passwords and I'm horrified that I've forgotten about the Microsoft account password.

On the Activities page was this heading "Learn how to make your account more secure" but its link goes to a Cannot be found page. You may wish to pass that on.

So before I change my password, I need to change the email address and contact phone numbers. How do I get to that screen please.

Here are a couple of emails that I received at 3:28 and 3:29 Pacific Daylight time (UTC-8:00).  I do not have a Microsoft account under that ID, so I am warning you!  Do not click on the link.. 

**Pictures removed that contained PII**

For the life of me I cannot understand WHY no one here, nor a Microsoft rep hasn't mentioned when you get a fake microsoft email like that, FORWARD IT to *** Email address is removed for privacy ***. It's the same as any other phishing email sent from a bank, store, etc... They all have an email like this, phishing@blah blah bank .com and so on for the stores too  that you forward the fake emails to. This has been common knowledge for over a decade now with fake emails supposedly sent from companies.

Its actually common knowledge phishing emails exist, hence we should learn more about it via this link from some MS support team gave me a couple of months ago when my msn email has daily phishing attacks.

Protect your Microsoft/Outlook.com/Hotmail/Live ID account

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/help-protect-account

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What should I do if my Microsoft/Outlook.com/Hotmail/Live ID account has been hacked?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/outlook/hacked-account

HOW TO Get your Microsoft/Outlook.com/Hotmail/Live ID account back if it's been blocked or hacked
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/get-back-blocked-account