Windows Live forum: How Do I Report Scammers?

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Mark

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.

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!

Mark

Is this hacking attempt still happening?

Mark

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.

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

Mark