When I try to sign in to Windows Live, I get a message that my account has been suspended. Microsoft support wants $150.00 to fix this problem. The man said I had many errors on my computer and that someone had been using my account. I tried yesterday to login to play Bioshock. Does anyone here have thoughts on this problem?

Who did you talk to? How would this person know you have errors on your computer? I hope you didn't allow anyone to have access to your computer. This sounds like a huge scam to me.

See if this link helps you...

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13956/microsoft-account-temporarily-suspended

Draclvr, That is the link I used yesterday. After I put in my phone number, I get this message. Usage limit exceeded. Try again tomorrow. Which is the same message I received yesterday.

Hmmm... have you run your antivirus software and your Malwarebytes yet?

And what "man" did you talk to and how did they "know" your computer was infected? Did you give them access to your computer?

Draclvr, I did not give him access to my computer. This is just what he told me it sounded like to him. He wanted access to fix problem for money. I said "No way" and hung up. The web site was a Microsoft site. I had a very difficult time understanding him. He tried to slide the access and cost in quickly, but I caught the words. I am old woman, but not senile yet. I have run my antivirus, but I do not have Malwarebytes, where is a safe place to download that item?

Boy, that whole thing just reeks!

I had a phone call like that before, and I told them I didn't have a computer.

https://www.malwarebytes.com/

I doubt this blocked account business has anything to do with what's on your computer though.

I doubt that it has anything to do with it either, but it can't hurt. I get aggravated too - I may be old, but I'm not an idiot!

Did this person call you? If so, then it was definitely a scam call.

I found several questions about this at the Microsoft forums. In this response, they suggested submitting a request to the Microsoft Help Desk. The link provided just takes you to a main page. Just click on Support at the top. In another question, someone suggested using a different phone number if possible.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outl...aa-3dc153d78af8

Jenny100, I ran Malwarebytes and it found 24 threats.

Draclvr, I place the call to Microsoft. I will read above link you provided. The link does not help me, as you have to sign into your account to make changes.

Me too. And that was exactly my response also

So, if you click on the link in the response from the Microsoft person, it doesn't take you to a Microsoft page where you can then click on Support?

Draclvr, I do not seem to be able to get support for Windows Live account, just Skype and I do not remember the other item. My computer works fine, I never knew there was a problem until I tried to sign in to Windows Live. I will purchase Malwarebytes and keep using my Webroot. If I never get into Windows Live I guess it will be okay, never use it anyway. I just will not play Windows Live games. I will wait several days and try again. Is Windows Live just the same as siging into normal Microsoft?

Yes, it is the same. Maybe try this link from that page???

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/products/microsoft-account

My Microsoft account has been hacked. That is why I can not sign into Microsoft. I have been trying all morning to set up a new account, just will not work. Do I really need this account,is it important? I have never bought anything from the store. If it is an important account, I will keep trying, if not, I have better things to do. Do I really have to sign into Windows to play Microsoft Windows Live games? My computer works fine. I purchased Malwarebytes and have a good antivirus and was sailing along beautifully until I discovered this malfunction.

It is certainly possible to live without a Windows Live account if you don't need any of its features.

Apparently your Bioshock game was linked to that account.
If you don't care about that game, you don't need the account for it.

It is up to you if you want one.
I'd still try to get back control of the old account, if only to permanently close it.

I don't know if this link will be any use.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/safety/online-privacy/hacked-account.aspx

If you have spyware on your computer, that may be how the hacker got your password and got control of your account. You said MalwareBytes found "24 threats." One of those could have been spyware.


Any spyware worth its salt will be good at hiding, so you'll never suspect something is wrong.

I agree with Jenny... you don't NEED a Windows Live account. However, games like Bioshock 1 and 2 and others are linked to a Live Account. And I agree about closing that old account. The link she just posted is the same one I was going to post.

I have also had issues with Live accounts and got absolutely zero support from Microsoft and finally had to give up for one lady.

Jenny100 and Draclvr, Thank you for your time and response. I have tried that link. When I get to the part where I put in my phone number, I get a message that I have exceeded my attempt limit and to try again tomorrow. I do not understand, I had just tried once. I will keep trying periodically and hopefully I will eventually be able to close this account. I have several Windows games, but playing them again is NOT this important.

And you won't get past that point... Were you ever able to get to the Support page I linked you to? You don't have to sign in to a Live account to use it. I did have some luck with getting help with that link when I was having issues with one of my Outlook.com email accounts.

Including this link from that page?
https://account.live.com/acsr?mkt=en-US&mn
where it says to use a different email than the one you want to recover?
Or if you don't have a second email, to create a new one with outlook.com?

It also says this procedure won't work if you've turned on two-step authentication (which is easy enough for a hacker to do after taking over your account).

Jenny100, I have tried this link. I have Outlook and gmail. Outlook is the one I am using trying to fix this problem, which works fine. My problem is all the information the form wants. Recent email address I have sent email to and the first two lines of that email. I do not send email often. I call and actually speak to people. The only one I have sent in months was to purchase Footsteps. My Skype name and old email address of that account, which I have and gave them the information. I do not have enough information to satisfy them that I am really me. I get a message back telling me this and to try again with more information and I do not have anymore. I do not know if I have two-step authentication turned on or not.

I wouldn't remember that, even though I do use email more often than that.

Maybe they'll agree to shut down the account though.

It's pretty obvious we shouldn't trust Microsoft with personal information -- or even email addresses. There are rants on YouTube, though mostly about XBox Live accounts being hacked.

One suggestion I read about is to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

Now you've got me a little nervous. How exactly do you know your account was hacked?

I was just in the middle of writing an email while in Outlook when I got the message that my time had expired (or something like that) and I had to sign in again. That has NEVER happened before in 17 years. I hope by signing in again I didn't just turn my computer over to somebody!

oldbroad,
Check that your account's default settings for timeout didn't change.

Um, where would I check that and why would it change?

oldbroad, I have no idea when my account was hacked, I would not know now, had I not tried to sign in to Windows Live. It could have been hacked last year for all I know. I never bought anything from the store. I never signed into the account for anything. After you mentioned your Outlook mail, I clicked on the mail envelope and no Outlook appears. I have to sign into my account to see the Outlook mail. I use gmail, so this is no problem, at least not for me. I guess when your Microsoft account is hacked, Outlook mail does not work in the normal way. I do know if I ever get into this account, I will close it soooo fast and never open another one.