Discussion:
Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
(too old to reply)
SteveS
2007-11-27 07:02:02 UTC
Permalink
My hotmail got hacked last week and after dozens of emails and online forms,
no response. Actually, I did get one email from someone when I thought I just
forgot my security question. I've sinced replied with the hackers IP and an
email from the hacker (he's replying to emails!).

On some forums I see where the UK has a Hotmail support phone line. Do we
have anything like that? I'd love to get my account and 3,000 messages back.

Steve
SteveS
2007-11-27 07:06:01 UTC
Permalink
PS - no word back from the support guy and his email box was cancelled.
Post by SteveS
My hotmail got hacked last week and after dozens of emails and online forms,
no response. Actually, I did get one email from someone when I thought I just
forgot my security question. I've sinced replied with the hackers IP and an
email from the hacker (he's replying to emails!).
On some forums I see where the UK has a Hotmail support phone line. Do we
have anything like that? I'd love to get my account and 3,000 messages back.
Steve
StephenB
2007-11-27 09:54:19 UTC
Permalink
Post by SteveS
PS - no word back from the support guy and his email box was cancelled.
Post by SteveS
My hotmail got hacked last week and after dozens of emails and online forms,
no response. Actually, I did get one email from someone when I thought I just
forgot my security question. I've sinced replied with the hackers IP and an
email from the hacker (he's replying to emails!).
On some forums I see where the UK has a Hotmail support phone line. Do we
have anything like that? I'd love to get my account and 3,000 messages back.
Steve
Someone hijacked your account by changing the password?

Hotmail support is only via email - http://support.live.com unless you are a
paid subscriber for Windows Live Hotmail Plus, MSN Premium or dial-up and
similar. In that case, you can go to http://support.msn.com to see your support
options.

-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org
Dave the Red
2007-11-27 15:11:01 UTC
Permalink
Stephen,

There's phone and chat support for Hotmail Plus customers!!!??? This is news
to me!

I've followed your link and indeed there is! Microsoft has done a terrific
job in keeping this well hidden. I've been a paying customer for years and I
never knew about this until now. Go to the Hotmail interface (or the Windows
Live page) and all you see is a Feedback feature. This leads to a form to
fill out and submit. Where is there any indication on my Hotmail (Live
Hotmail or whatever it's supposed to be called) that there is phone and chat
support? Nowhere.

Thanks alot, Microsoft, for your great service!

Dave
Post by StephenB
Someone hijacked your account by changing the password?
Hotmail support is only via email - http://support.live.com unless you are a
paid subscriber for Windows Live Hotmail Plus, MSN Premium or dial-up and
similar. In that case, you can go to http://support.msn.com to see your support
options.
-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
StephenB
2007-11-28 01:25:44 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dave the Red
There's phone and chat support for Hotmail Plus customers!!!??? This is news
to me!
I've followed your link and indeed there is! Microsoft has done a terrific
job in keeping this well hidden. I've been a paying customer for years and I
never knew about this until now. Go to the Hotmail interface (or the Windows
Live page) and all you see is a Feedback feature. This leads to a form to
fill out and submit. Where is there any indication on my Hotmail (Live
Hotmail or whatever it's supposed to be called) that there is phone and chat
support? Nowhere.
Phone support is actually very expensive. I used to be a support supervisor and
was involved in some of the cost and staffing models. About 12 years ago, we
figured that the average call cost about 12 US$ to handle. That took into
account a slew of "how do I do..." calls that took a minute or two to handle.
Talk time was typically under 10 minutes on average. If the call was escalated
as a problem log to my level, the cost went to US$ 120 per incident. I'm sure
that these prices have risen dramatically, despite most of it being outsourced
overseas. It is much more cost effective to handle support via email, though not
as satisfactory for customers, unfortunately. Anyway, I have found that any
Microsoft service that you pay for - MSN, xbox, Zune, OneCare - has phone and
chat support available in the US. It may differ for other parts of the world,
but phone numbers are no longer published unless they are pay per incident
support lines.

-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org
N. Miller
2007-11-27 11:51:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by SteveS
My hotmail got hacked last week and after dozens of emails and online forms,
no response. Actually, I did get one email from someone when I thought I just
forgot my security question. I've sinced replied with the hackers IP and an
email from the hacker (he's replying to emails!).
On some forums I see where the UK has a Hotmail support phone line. Do we
have anything like that? I'd love to get my account and 3,000 messages back.
Even if you get it back, it is unlikely that the thief would leave those
3,000 messages intact.
--
Norman
~Shine, bright morning light,
~now in the air the spring is coming.
~Sweet, blowing wind,
~singing down the hills and valleys.
SteveS
2007-11-27 14:46:02 UTC
Permalink
Thanks. Anyone else?
Post by N. Miller
Post by SteveS
My hotmail got hacked last week and after dozens of emails and online forms,
no response. Actually, I did get one email from someone when I thought I just
forgot my security question. I've sinced replied with the hackers IP and an
email from the hacker (he's replying to emails!).
On some forums I see where the UK has a Hotmail support phone line. Do we
have anything like that? I'd love to get my account and 3,000 messages back.
Even if you get it back, it is unlikely that the thief would leave those
3,000 messages intact.
--
Norman
~Shine, bright morning light,
~now in the air the spring is coming.
~Sweet, blowing wind,
~singing down the hills and valleys.
Earle Horton
2007-11-27 14:53:43 UTC
Permalink
Please describe how your Hotmail account got hacked. It may be
instructive.

Cheers,

Earle
Post by SteveS
Thanks. Anyone else?
Post by N. Miller
Post by SteveS
My hotmail got hacked last week and after dozens of emails and online forms,
no response. Actually, I did get one email from someone when I thought I just
forgot my security question. I've sinced replied with the hackers IP and an
email from the hacker (he's replying to emails!).
On some forums I see where the UK has a Hotmail support phone line. Do we
have anything like that? I'd love to get my account and 3,000 messages back.
Even if you get it back, it is unlikely that the thief would leave those
3,000 messages intact.
--
Norman
~Shine, bright morning light,
~now in the air the spring is coming.
~Sweet, blowing wind,
~singing down the hills and valleys.
StephenB
2007-11-28 01:26:51 UTC
Permalink
That was my original question, Earle. Having that information may help determine
if it can be recovered.

-steve
Post by Earle Horton
Please describe how your Hotmail account got hacked. It may be
instructive.
Cheers,
Earle
Post by SteveS
Thanks. Anyone else?
Post by N. Miller
Post by SteveS
My hotmail got hacked last week and after dozens of emails and
online forms,
Post by SteveS
Post by N. Miller
Post by SteveS
no response. Actually, I did get one email from someone when I
thought I just
Post by SteveS
Post by N. Miller
Post by SteveS
forgot my security question. I've sinced replied with the hackers
IP and an
Post by SteveS
Post by N. Miller
Post by SteveS
email from the hacker (he's replying to emails!).
On some forums I see where the UK has a Hotmail support phone
line. Do we
Post by SteveS
Post by N. Miller
Post by SteveS
have anything like that? I'd love to get my account and 3,000
messages back.
Post by SteveS
Post by N. Miller
Even if you get it back, it is unlikely that the thief would leave
those
Post by SteveS
Post by N. Miller
3,000 messages intact.
--
Norman
~Shine, bright morning light,
~now in the air the spring is coming.
~Sweet, blowing wind,
~singing down the hills and valleys.
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org
Earle Horton
2007-11-28 04:26:09 UTC
Permalink
Quite, but I am thinking of instructive value, to deter other people
from "hacking" my Hotmail account, for example. I am thinking, "Don't
tell anyone your password" as a start.

Cheers,

Earle
Post by StephenB
That was my original question, Earle. Having that information may help determine
if it can be recovered.
-steve
Post by Earle Horton
Please describe how your Hotmail account got hacked. It may be
instructive.
Cheers,
Earle
Post by SteveS
Thanks. Anyone else?
Post by N. Miller
Post by SteveS
My hotmail got hacked last week and after dozens of emails and
online forms,
Post by SteveS
Post by N. Miller
Post by SteveS
no response. Actually, I did get one email from someone when I
thought I just
Post by SteveS
Post by N. Miller
Post by SteveS
forgot my security question. I've sinced replied with the hackers
IP and an
Post by SteveS
Post by N. Miller
Post by SteveS
email from the hacker (he's replying to emails!).
On some forums I see where the UK has a Hotmail support phone
line. Do we
Post by SteveS
Post by N. Miller
Post by SteveS
have anything like that? I'd love to get my account and 3,000
messages back.
Post by SteveS
Post by N. Miller
Even if you get it back, it is unlikely that the thief would leave
those
Post by SteveS
Post by N. Miller
3,000 messages intact.
--
Norman
~Shine, bright morning light,
~now in the air the spring is coming.
~Sweet, blowing wind,
~singing down the hills and valleys.
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
spencer2
2007-12-05 14:21:00 UTC
Permalink
HOTMAIL has a major security problem!
Not only was my hotmail account hacked but my ebay account as well.
I have never given my passwords to anyone.
It appears that there is a bad security breach somewhere.
The Microsoft support is useless.
I sent a request and got a reply asking for personal details so the password
coould be reset. When I replied to the email it was bounced by the microsoft
postoffice!!
I have tried three times to get someone to actually read what the problem is
but still no success.
The email to reset the password goes to the email address that I cannot
access. Catch 22!!

ebay has an efficient chat method of dealing with the problem and my ebay
account is now closed.
StephenB
2007-12-06 00:35:05 UTC
Permalink
Post by spencer2
HOTMAIL has a major security problem!
Not only was my hotmail account hacked but my ebay account as well.
I have never given my passwords to anyone.
It appears that there is a bad security breach somewhere.
The Microsoft support is useless.
I sent a request and got a reply asking for personal details so the password
coould be reset. When I replied to the email it was bounced by the microsoft
postoffice!!
I have tried three times to get someone to actually read what the problem is
but still no success.
The email to reset the password goes to the email address that I cannot
access. Catch 22!!
ebay has an efficient chat method of dealing with the problem and my ebay
account is now closed.
Did you not provide the Secret Questions and Answers and an alternate email
address for your LiveID?
Without that, you need to deal with the issue you have right now and that is
contacting support via email. It can be painful, but if your first reply
bounced, open a new case and reference the new case.
-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org
Earle Horton
2007-12-06 01:25:48 UTC
Permalink
Post by StephenB
Post by spencer2
HOTMAIL has a major security problem!
Not only was my hotmail account hacked but my ebay account as well.
I have never given my passwords to anyone.
It appears that there is a bad security breach somewhere.
The Microsoft support is useless.
I sent a request and got a reply asking for personal details so the password
coould be reset. When I replied to the email it was bounced by the
microsoft postoffice!!
I have tried three times to get someone to actually read what the
problem is but still no success.
The email to reset the password goes to the email address that I
cannot access. Catch 22!!
ebay has an efficient chat method of dealing with the problem and my
ebay account is now closed.
Did you not provide the Secret Questions and Answers and an alternate
email address for your LiveID?
Without that, you need to deal with the issue you have right now and
that is contacting support via email. It can be painful, but if your
first
Post by StephenB
reply bounced, open a new case and reference the new case.
-steve
--
I suspect that this fellow had his email address and password on a PDA
or in a notebook, that he used an easy one to guess or even that someone
has been inspecting his trash, and found a crumpled piece of notebook
paper with all the information on it. The "hacker" with access to this
information would have been able to change secret questions and answers,
replace the alternate email address, everything. I am thinking be more
careful next time. He also doesn't say what was the motivation for the
hacker to do all this. Flame war gone bad, maybe? Unscrupulous
merchant perhaps. Answered a phishing scheme maybe.

This sort of complaint is extremely rare. I am thinking that it was
impossible for the "hacker" to get in without some sort of help. I
visited the Galician city of Lugo, a very old city with its Roman wall
still intact. The wall is very impressive, you should see it, but the
Visigoths just bribed their way in through one of the gates.

If there is nothing else compromised, just abandon the Hotmail address,
contact all your friends with the replacement, and get on with things.
If the "hacker" now has the means to get credit card numbers or other
useful information, and there are signs that he has done so, then it is
time to contact law enforcement.

If you're not too embarassed, I am sure that many would like to hear the
whole story. It may at least be instructive.

Cheers,

Earle
spencer2
2007-12-06 12:51:02 UTC
Permalink
Hi Earle and Stephen.
Thanks for your replies.
the sequence of events was that I was using my laptop through a router with
the usual firewalls, spybot S&D, AVG virus etc and windows vista home.
On the morning of Wed 28th Nov my hotmail account was OK. In the evening, I
tried to check my emails and could not log in.
I have had the account for some years and had paid for the continued use of
the hotmail account so it would not expire.
At the time of opening the account, I only had it as the email account so
there was not an alternate email address.
I tried the 'forgotten password" help but it only sent the email to the
account that I could not access.
I tried the secret question but it was displayed in Japanese or chinese
characters.
I have tried 3 times to contact Microsoft. The first reply addressed the
problem and Riza requested personal information to ascertain that I was the
owner of the account. This was OK by me for obvious reasons. The problem was
that the reply I sent to the email address that Riza used bounced back from
the Microsoft Post office.
I again went through the "Help" section to report the problem with the
bounced email but got a reply that if I was having problems contacting other
hotmail addresses I should look at my setup.
i have tried again to contact Microsoft but again the email bounced.
Obviously the techs at microsoft have never tried to use their support
system as a person who has had their hotmail account hijacked.
I am still waiting for a reply to the last support request.
I have never given my password to anyone. (not even my wife!!)
I was concerned when I checked "hotmail hacked" on Google and found that
others had had the same problem. Try typing "hotmail hack" into this forum
search and you may be surprised.
One of the other forum entries mentioned that their ebay account was
compromised as well. On checking, I found mine was unable to be accessed as
well.
Ebay has an excellent support system and I have now recovered that account.
I am careful with passwords and computer security and am concerned that
hotmail was able to be hacked. I am also surprised at how difficult it is to
find and get support from Microsoft on this issue.
I am still awaiting a response from Microsoft to address this problem.
There has to be an easier method of recovering a password.
Microsoft should send emails where they request data that have valid
addresses to enable replies to be sent.
I paid for the hotmail account and I should be able to recover it without
all this drama.
Maybe this problem is huge and no-one wants to admit it?
Cheers
Spencer2
StephenB
2007-12-07 00:46:29 UTC
Permalink
If you are a paying customer for hotmail, phone support is available, but the
phone number can only be accessed by signing in - that would be a problem, of
course, in your case since you can't sign in.
If you are in North America, email me at ***@mvps.org and I'll see if I can
lend a hand.
-steve
Post by spencer2
Hi Earle and Stephen.
Thanks for your replies.
the sequence of events was that I was using my laptop through a router with
the usual firewalls, spybot S&D, AVG virus etc and windows vista home.
On the morning of Wed 28th Nov my hotmail account was OK. In the evening, I
tried to check my emails and could not log in.
I have had the account for some years and had paid for the continued use of
the hotmail account so it would not expire.
At the time of opening the account, I only had it as the email account so
there was not an alternate email address.
I tried the 'forgotten password" help but it only sent the email to the
account that I could not access.
I tried the secret question but it was displayed in Japanese or chinese
characters.
I have tried 3 times to contact Microsoft. The first reply addressed the
problem and Riza requested personal information to ascertain that I was the
owner of the account. This was OK by me for obvious reasons. The problem was
that the reply I sent to the email address that Riza used bounced back from
the Microsoft Post office.
I again went through the "Help" section to report the problem with the
bounced email but got a reply that if I was having problems contacting other
hotmail addresses I should look at my setup.
i have tried again to contact Microsoft but again the email bounced.
Obviously the techs at microsoft have never tried to use their support
system as a person who has had their hotmail account hijacked.
I am still waiting for a reply to the last support request.
I have never given my password to anyone. (not even my wife!!)
I was concerned when I checked "hotmail hacked" on Google and found that
others had had the same problem. Try typing "hotmail hack" into this forum
search and you may be surprised.
One of the other forum entries mentioned that their ebay account was
compromised as well. On checking, I found mine was unable to be accessed as
well.
Ebay has an excellent support system and I have now recovered that account.
I am careful with passwords and computer security and am concerned that
hotmail was able to be hacked. I am also surprised at how difficult it is to
find and get support from Microsoft on this issue.
I am still awaiting a response from Microsoft to address this problem.
There has to be an easier method of recovering a password.
Microsoft should send emails where they request data that have valid
addresses to enable replies to be sent.
I paid for the hotmail account and I should be able to recover it without
all this drama.
Maybe this problem is huge and no-one wants to admit it?
Cheers
Spencer2
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org
spencer2
2007-12-07 01:40:01 UTC
Permalink
Thanks Stephen,
I have sent you a email separately with copies of original emails and
responses from Microsoft.
Marcelo Bentes
2010-07-30 16:34:38 UTC
Permalink
Have you gotten a reply from Stephen?
I also have a problem with my hotmail account, which was hacked, and I have the same problems you had.
Can you please post the telephone for contacting the support or send to my e-mail?
***@hotmail.com
Brgds



spencer wrote:

Thanks Stephen, I have sent you a email separately with copies of original
06-Dec-07

Thanks Stephen
I have sent you a email separately with copies of original emails an
responses from Microsoft.

Previous Posts In This Thread:

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 2:02 AM
Steve wrote:

Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
My hotmail got hacked last week and after dozens of emails and online forms,
no response. Actually, I did get one email from someone when I thought I just
forgot my security question. I've sinced replied with the hackers IP and an
email from the hacker (he's replying to emails!).

On some forums I see where the UK has a Hotmail support phone line. Do we
have anything like that? I'd love to get my account and 3,000 messages back

Steve

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 2:06 AM
Steve wrote:

PS - no word back from the support guy and his email box was cancelled.
PS - no word back from the support guy and his email box was cancelled

"SteveS" wrote:

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:54 AM
StephenB wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
SteveS <***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote

Someone hijacked your account by changing the password

Hotmail support is only via email - http://support.live.com unless you are
paid subscriber for Windows Live Hotmail Plus, MSN Premium or dial-up an
similar. In that case, you can go to http://support.msn.com to see your suppor
options

-stev
-
Stephen Boot
MVP Windows Liv
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderato
***@mvps.org

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 6:51 AM
N. Miller wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
On Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:02:02 -0800, SteveS wrote

Even if you get it back, it is unlikely that the thief would leave thos
3,000 messages intact

--
Norma
~Shine, bright morning light
~now in the air the spring is coming
~Sweet, blowing wind
~singing down the hills and valleys.

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:46 AM
Steve wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
Thanks. Anyone else

"N. Miller" wrote:

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:53 AM
Earle Horton wrote:

Please describe how your Hotmail account got hacked. It may beinstructive.
Please describe how your Hotmail account got hacked. It may b
instructive

Cheers

Earl

online forms
thought I jus
IP and a
line. Do w
messages back
those

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:11 AM
DavetheRe wrote:

Stephen,There's phone and chat support for Hotmail Plus customers!!!???
Stephen

There's phone and chat support for Hotmail Plus customers!!!??? This is news
to me

I've followed your link and indeed there is! Microsoft has done a terrific
job in keeping this well hidden. I've been a paying customer for years and I
never knew about this until now. Go to the Hotmail interface (or the Windows
Live page) and all you see is a Feedback feature. This leads to a form to
fill out and submit. Where is there any indication on my Hotmail (Live
Hotmail or whatever it's supposed to be called) that there is phone and chat
support? Nowhere

Thanks alot, Microsoft, for your great service

Dave

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 8:25 PM
StephenB wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
Dave the Red <***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote

Phone support is actually very expensive. I used to be a support supervisor an
was involved in some of the cost and staffing models. About 12 years ago, w
figured that the average call cost about 12 US$ to handle. That took int
account a slew of "how do I do..." calls that took a minute or two to handle
Talk time was typically under 10 minutes on average. If the call was escalate
as a problem log to my level, the cost went to US$ 120 per incident. I'm sur
that these prices have risen dramatically, despite most of it being outsource
overseas. It is much more cost effective to handle support via email, though not
as satisfactory for customers, unfortunately. Anyway, I have found that any
Microsoft service that you pay for - MSN, xbox, Zune, OneCare - has phone and
chat support available in the US. It may differ for other parts of the world,
but phone numbers are no longer published unless they are pay per incident
support lines.

-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 8:26 PM
StephenB wrote:

That was my original question, Earle.
That was my original question, Earle. Having that information may help determine
if it can be recovered.

-steve

"Earle Horton" <***@nospam.com> wrote:


--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 11:26 PM
Earle Horton wrote:

Quite, but I am thinking of instructive value, to deter other peoplefrom
Quite, but I am thinking of instructive value, to deter other people
from "hacking" my Hotmail account, for example. I am thinking, "Don't
tell anyone your password" as a start.

Cheers,

Earle

"StephenB" <***@mvps.org> wrote in message news:***@4ax.com...
determine
hackers
leave

On Wednesday, December 05, 2007 9:21 AM
spencer wrote:

HOTMAIL has a major security problem!
HOTMAIL has a major security problem!
Not only was my hotmail account hacked but my ebay account as well.
I have never given my passwords to anyone.
It appears that there is a bad security breach somewhere.
The Microsoft support is useless.
I sent a request and got a reply asking for personal details so the password
coould be reset. When I replied to the email it was bounced by the microsoft
postoffice!!
I have tried three times to get someone to actually read what the problem is
but still no success.
The email to reset the password goes to the email address that I cannot
access. Catch 22!!

ebay has an efficient chat method of dealing with the problem and my ebay
account is now closed.

On Wednesday, December 05, 2007 7:35 PM
StephenB wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
spencer2 <***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:


Did you not provide the Secret Questions and Answers and an alternate email
address for your LiveID?
Without that, you need to deal with the issue you have right now and that is
contacting support via email. It can be painful, but if your first reply
bounced, open a new case and reference the new case.
-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org

On Wednesday, December 05, 2007 8:25 PM
Earle Horton wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
"StephenB" <***@mvps.org> wrote in message news:***@4ax.com...
first
I suspect that this fellow had his email address and password on a PDA
or in a notebook, that he used an easy one to guess or even that someone
has been inspecting his trash, and found a crumpled piece of notebook
paper with all the information on it. The "hacker" with access to this
information would have been able to change secret questions and answers,
replace the alternate email address, everything. I am thinking be more
careful next time. He also doesn't say what was the motivation for the
hacker to do all this. Flame war gone bad, maybe? Unscrupulous
merchant perhaps. Answered a phishing scheme maybe.

This sort of complaint is extremely rare. I am thinking that it was
impossible for the "hacker" to get in without some sort of help. I
visited the Galician city of Lugo, a very old city with its Roman wall
still intact. The wall is very impressive, you should see it, but the
Visigoths just bribed their way in through one of the gates.

If there is nothing else compromised, just abandon the Hotmail address,
contact all your friends with the replacement, and get on with things.
If the "hacker" now has the means to get credit card numbers or other
useful information, and there are signs that he has done so, then it is
time to contact law enforcement.

If you're not too embarassed, I am sure that many would like to hear the
whole story. It may at least be instructive.

Cheers,

Earle

On Thursday, December 06, 2007 7:51 AM
spencer wrote:

Hi Earle and Stephen.Thanks for your replies.
Hi Earle and Stephen.
Thanks for your replies.
the sequence of events was that I was using my laptop through a router with
the usual firewalls, spybot S&D, AVG virus etc and windows vista home.
On the morning of Wed 28th Nov my hotmail account was OK. In the evening, I
tried to check my emails and could not log in.
I have had the account for some years and had paid for the continued use of
the hotmail account so it would not expire.
At the time of opening the account, I only had it as the email account so
there was not an alternate email address.
I tried the 'forgotten password" help but it only sent the email to the
account that I could not access.
I tried the secret question but it was displayed in Japanese or chinese
characters.
I have tried 3 times to contact Microsoft. The first reply addressed the
problem and Riza requested personal information to ascertain that I was the
owner of the account. This was OK by me for obvious reasons. The problem was
that the reply I sent to the email address that Riza used bounced back from
the Microsoft Post office.
I again went through the "Help" section to report the problem with the
bounced email but got a reply that if I was having problems contacting other
hotmail addresses I should look at my setup.
i have tried again to contact Microsoft but again the email bounced.
Obviously the techs at microsoft have never tried to use their support
system as a person who has had their hotmail account hijacked.
I am still waiting for a reply to the last support request.
I have never given my password to anyone. (not even my wife!!)
I was concerned when I checked "hotmail hacked" on Google and found that
others had had the same problem. Try typing "hotmail hack" into this forum
search and you may be surprised.
One of the other forum entries mentioned that their ebay account was
compromised as well. On checking, I found mine was unable to be accessed as
well.
Ebay has an excellent support system and I have now recovered that account.
I am careful with passwords and computer security and am concerned that
hotmail was able to be hacked. I am also surprised at how difficult it is to
find and get support from Microsoft on this issue.
I am still awaiting a response from Microsoft to address this problem.
There has to be an easier method of recovering a password.
Microsoft should send emails where they request data that have valid
addresses to enable replies to be sent.
I paid for the hotmail account and I should be able to recover it without
all this drama.
Maybe this problem is huge and no-one wants to admit it?
Cheers
Spencer2

On Thursday, December 06, 2007 7:46 PM
StephenB wrote:

If you are a paying customer for hotmail, phone support is available, but
If you are a paying customer for hotmail, phone support is available, but the
phone number can only be accessed by signing in - that would be a problem, of
course, in your case since you can't sign in.
If you are in North America, email me at ***@mvps.org and I'll see if I can
lend a hand.
-steve


spencer2 <***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:


--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org

On Thursday, December 06, 2007 8:40 PM
spencer wrote:

Thanks Stephen, I have sent you a email separately with copies of original
Thanks Stephen,
I have sent you a email separately with copies of original emails and
responses from Microsoft.

On Monday, December 28, 2009 9:15 AM
kastrina kastrina wrote:

hio
helooooooooooo


Submitted via EggHeadCafe - Software Developer Portal of Choice
Win a free Professional license of CodeSmith Generator 5.2!
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorials/aspnet/32aeed64-8518-4bd0-9614-e82b5d3ab3a4/win-a-free-professional-license-of-codesmith-generator-52.aspx
StephenB
2010-08-01 00:46:09 UTC
Permalink
You replied to a thread that is several years old.

There is no phone number and posting your email to a public forum/newsgroup is
surefire way to invite spam and potential hacking attempts.

Sorry to read that you are having problems with your Hotmail account.
I donÂ’t work for Microsoft or Hotmail, but am a fellow user. Only Hotmail
Support can assist you if the usual password reset means do not work.
If you cannot reset the password through the usual means, see this page for
information on how to get help with it:
https://windowslivehelp.com/solution.aspx?solutionid=bf5d34bf-db28-44ca-ac9a-93838d81b2d6
There is a form to use that Support will act on, but it can take more than a day
for them to deal with it. Be sure to enter both the account you cannot access
and another account where they can reach you. Once you regain access to the
account be sure to set an alternate email address and secret questions and
answers for account security at http://account.live.com
 
You may also want to review this post:
https://windowslivehelp.com/solution.aspx?solutionid=6ea0c7b3-1473-4176-b03f-145b951dcb41
 
And also this blog entry from the Windows Live team:
http://windowslivewire.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!2F7EB29B42641D59!42740.entry
 
 
Good luck,
-steve
Post by Marcelo Bentes
Have you gotten a reply from Stephen?
I also have a problem with my hotmail account, which was hacked, and I have the same problems you had.
Can you please post the telephone for contacting the support or send to my e-mail?
[removed - though it is too late]
Brgds
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare/Live Mesh/MSE Forums Moderator
***@mvps.org
...winston
2010-07-31 20:19:19 UTC
Permalink
Marcelo,
After 3.5 years, I doubt Spencer is still waiting for a response

Fyi...phone support is limited to the following.
- Msn Premium Accounts( Customer Service and Technical Support - phone # 's found on support.msn.com)
- Hotmail Plus Support(available only for Customer Service -phone # found on support.live.com)

All other Hotmail support is web based via a Forum
http://windowslivehelp.com


--
...winston
ms-mvp mail

"Marcelo Bentes" wrote in message news:***@hotmail.com...

Have you gotten a reply from Stephen?
I also have a problem with my hotmail account, which was hacked, and I have the same problems you had.
Can you please post the telephone for contacting the support or send to my e-mail?
***@hotmail.com
Brgds



spencer wrote:

Thanks Stephen, I have sent you a email separately with copies of original
06-Dec-07

Thanks Stephen,
I have sent you a email separately with copies of original emails and
responses from Microsoft.

Previous Posts In This Thread:

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 2:02 AM
Steve wrote:

Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
My hotmail got hacked last week and after dozens of emails and online forms,
no response. Actually, I did get one email from someone when I thought I just
forgot my security question. I've sinced replied with the hackers IP and an
email from the hacker (he's replying to emails!).

On some forums I see where the UK has a Hotmail support phone line. Do we
have anything like that? I'd love to get my account and 3,000 messages back.

Steve

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 2:06 AM
Steve wrote:

PS - no word back from the support guy and his email box was cancelled.
PS - no word back from the support guy and his email box was cancelled.

"SteveS" wrote:

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:54 AM
StephenB wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
SteveS <***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:


Someone hijacked your account by changing the password?

Hotmail support is only via email - http://support.live.com unless you are a
paid subscriber for Windows Live Hotmail Plus, MSN Premium or dial-up and
similar. In that case, you can go to http://support.msn.com to see your support
options.

-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 6:51 AM
N. Miller wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
On Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:02:02 -0800, SteveS wrote:


Even if you get it back, it is unlikely that the thief would leave those
3,000 messages intact.
--
Norman
~Shine, bright morning light,
~now in the air the spring is coming.
~Sweet, blowing wind,
~singing down the hills and valleys.

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:46 AM
Steve wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
Thanks. Anyone else?

"N. Miller" wrote:

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:53 AM
Earle Horton wrote:

Please describe how your Hotmail account got hacked. It may beinstructive.
Please describe how your Hotmail account got hacked. It may be
instructive.

Cheers,

Earle

online forms,
thought I just
IP and an
line. Do we
messages back.
those

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:11 AM
DavetheRe wrote:

Stephen,There's phone and chat support for Hotmail Plus customers!!!???
Stephen,

There's phone and chat support for Hotmail Plus customers!!!??? This is news
to me!

I've followed your link and indeed there is! Microsoft has done a terrific
job in keeping this well hidden. I've been a paying customer for years and I
never knew about this until now. Go to the Hotmail interface (or the Windows
Live page) and all you see is a Feedback feature. This leads to a form to
fill out and submit. Where is there any indication on my Hotmail (Live
Hotmail or whatever it's supposed to be called) that there is phone and chat
support? Nowhere.

Thanks alot, Microsoft, for your great service!

Dave

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 8:25 PM
StephenB wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
Dave the Red <***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

Phone support is actually very expensive. I used to be a support supervisor and
was involved in some of the cost and staffing models. About 12 years ago, we
figured that the average call cost about 12 US$ to handle. That took into
account a slew of "how do I do..." calls that took a minute or two to handle.
Talk time was typically under 10 minutes on average. If the call was escalated
as a problem log to my level, the cost went to US$ 120 per incident. I'm sure
that these prices have risen dramatically, despite most of it being outsourced
overseas. It is much more cost effective to handle support via email, though not
as satisfactory for customers, unfortunately. Anyway, I have found that any
Microsoft service that you pay for - MSN, xbox, Zune, OneCare - has phone and
chat support available in the US. It may differ for other parts of the world,
but phone numbers are no longer published unless they are pay per incident
support lines.

-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 8:26 PM
StephenB wrote:

That was my original question, Earle.
That was my original question, Earle. Having that information may help determine
if it can be recovered.

-steve

"Earle Horton" <***@nospam.com> wrote:


--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 11:26 PM
Earle Horton wrote:

Quite, but I am thinking of instructive value, to deter other peoplefrom
Quite, but I am thinking of instructive value, to deter other people
from "hacking" my Hotmail account, for example. I am thinking, "Don't
tell anyone your password" as a start.

Cheers,

Earle

"StephenB" <***@mvps.org> wrote in message news:***@4ax.com...
determine
hackers
leave

On Wednesday, December 05, 2007 9:21 AM
spencer wrote:

HOTMAIL has a major security problem!
HOTMAIL has a major security problem!
Not only was my hotmail account hacked but my ebay account as well.
I have never given my passwords to anyone.
It appears that there is a bad security breach somewhere.
The Microsoft support is useless.
I sent a request and got a reply asking for personal details so the password
coould be reset. When I replied to the email it was bounced by the microsoft
postoffice!!
I have tried three times to get someone to actually read what the problem is
but still no success.
The email to reset the password goes to the email address that I cannot
access. Catch 22!!

ebay has an efficient chat method of dealing with the problem and my ebay
account is now closed.

On Wednesday, December 05, 2007 7:35 PM
StephenB wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
spencer2 <***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:


Did you not provide the Secret Questions and Answers and an alternate email
address for your LiveID?
Without that, you need to deal with the issue you have right now and that is
contacting support via email. It can be painful, but if your first reply
bounced, open a new case and reference the new case.
-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org

On Wednesday, December 05, 2007 8:25 PM
Earle Horton wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
"StephenB" <***@mvps.org> wrote in message news:***@4ax.com...
first
I suspect that this fellow had his email address and password on a PDA
or in a notebook, that he used an easy one to guess or even that someone
has been inspecting his trash, and found a crumpled piece of notebook
paper with all the information on it. The "hacker" with access to this
information would have been able to change secret questions and answers,
replace the alternate email address, everything. I am thinking be more
careful next time. He also doesn't say what was the motivation for the
hacker to do all this. Flame war gone bad, maybe? Unscrupulous
merchant perhaps. Answered a phishing scheme maybe.

This sort of complaint is extremely rare. I am thinking that it was
impossible for the "hacker" to get in without some sort of help. I
visited the Galician city of Lugo, a very old city with its Roman wall
still intact. The wall is very impressive, you should see it, but the
Visigoths just bribed their way in through one of the gates.

If there is nothing else compromised, just abandon the Hotmail address,
contact all your friends with the replacement, and get on with things.
If the "hacker" now has the means to get credit card numbers or other
useful information, and there are signs that he has done so, then it is
time to contact law enforcement.

If you're not too embarassed, I am sure that many would like to hear the
whole story. It may at least be instructive.

Cheers,

Earle

On Thursday, December 06, 2007 7:51 AM
spencer wrote:

Hi Earle and Stephen.Thanks for your replies.
Hi Earle and Stephen.
Thanks for your replies.
the sequence of events was that I was using my laptop through a router with
the usual firewalls, spybot S&D, AVG virus etc and windows vista home.
On the morning of Wed 28th Nov my hotmail account was OK. In the evening, I
tried to check my emails and could not log in.
I have had the account for some years and had paid for the continued use of
the hotmail account so it would not expire.
At the time of opening the account, I only had it as the email account so
there was not an alternate email address.
I tried the 'forgotten password" help but it only sent the email to the
account that I could not access.
I tried the secret question but it was displayed in Japanese or chinese
characters.
I have tried 3 times to contact Microsoft. The first reply addressed the
problem and Riza requested personal information to ascertain that I was the
owner of the account. This was OK by me for obvious reasons. The problem was
that the reply I sent to the email address that Riza used bounced back from
the Microsoft Post office.
I again went through the "Help" section to report the problem with the
bounced email but got a reply that if I was having problems contacting other
hotmail addresses I should look at my setup.
i have tried again to contact Microsoft but again the email bounced.
Obviously the techs at microsoft have never tried to use their support
system as a person who has had their hotmail account hijacked.
I am still waiting for a reply to the last support request.
I have never given my password to anyone. (not even my wife!!)
I was concerned when I checked "hotmail hacked" on Google and found that
others had had the same problem. Try typing "hotmail hack" into this forum
search and you may be surprised.
One of the other forum entries mentioned that their ebay account was
compromised as well. On checking, I found mine was unable to be accessed as
well.
Ebay has an excellent support system and I have now recovered that account.
I am careful with passwords and computer security and am concerned that
hotmail was able to be hacked. I am also surprised at how difficult it is to
find and get support from Microsoft on this issue.
I am still awaiting a response from Microsoft to address this problem.
There has to be an easier method of recovering a password.
Microsoft should send emails where they request data that have valid
addresses to enable replies to be sent.
I paid for the hotmail account and I should be able to recover it without
all this drama.
Maybe this problem is huge and no-one wants to admit it?
Cheers
Spencer2

On Thursday, December 06, 2007 7:46 PM
StephenB wrote:

If you are a paying customer for hotmail, phone support is available, but
If you are a paying customer for hotmail, phone support is available, but the
phone number can only be accessed by signing in - that would be a problem, of
course, in your case since you can't sign in.
If you are in North America, email me at ***@mvps.org and I'll see if I can
lend a hand.
-steve


spencer2 <***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:


--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org

On Thursday, December 06, 2007 8:40 PM
spencer wrote:

Thanks Stephen, I have sent you a email separately with copies of original
Thanks Stephen,
I have sent you a email separately with copies of original emails and
responses from Microsoft.

On Monday, December 28, 2009 9:15 AM
kastrina kastrina wrote:

hio
helooooooooooo


Submitted via EggHeadCafe - Software Developer Portal of Choice
Win a free Professional license of CodeSmith Generator 5.2!
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorials/aspnet/32aeed64-8518-4bd0-9614-e82b5d3ab3a4/win-a-free-professional-license-of-codesmith-generator-52.aspx
unknown
2009-12-28 14:15:32 UTC
Permalink
helooooooooooo



spencer wrote:

HOTMAIL has a major security problem!
05-Dec-07

HOTMAIL has a major security problem
Not only was my hotmail account hacked but my ebay account as well
I have never given my passwords to anyone.
It appears that there is a bad security breach somewhere
The Microsoft support is useless
I sent a request and got a reply asking for personal details so the password
coould be reset. When I replied to the email it was bounced by the microsoft
postoffice!
I have tried three times to get someone to actually read what the problem is
but still no success.
The email to reset the password goes to the email address that I cannot
access. Catch 22!

ebay has an efficient chat method of dealing with the problem and my ebay
account is now closed.

Previous Posts In This Thread:

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 2:02 AM
Steve wrote:

Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
My hotmail got hacked last week and after dozens of emails and online forms,
no response. Actually, I did get one email from someone when I thought I just
forgot my security question. I've sinced replied with the hackers IP and an
email from the hacker (he's replying to emails!).

On some forums I see where the UK has a Hotmail support phone line. Do we
have anything like that? I'd love to get my account and 3,000 messages back

Steve

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 2:06 AM
Steve wrote:

PS - no word back from the support guy and his email box was cancelled.
PS - no word back from the support guy and his email box was cancelled

"SteveS" wrote:

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:54 AM
StephenB wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
SteveS <***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote

Someone hijacked your account by changing the password

Hotmail support is only via email - http://support.live.com unless you are
paid subscriber for Windows Live Hotmail Plus, MSN Premium or dial-up an
similar. In that case, you can go to http://support.msn.com to see your suppor
options

-stev
-
Stephen Boot
MVP Windows Liv
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderato
***@mvps.org

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 6:51 AM
N. Miller wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
On Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:02:02 -0800, SteveS wrote

Even if you get it back, it is unlikely that the thief would leave thos
3,000 messages intact

--
Norma
~Shine, bright morning light
~now in the air the spring is coming
~Sweet, blowing wind
~singing down the hills and valleys.

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:46 AM
Steve wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
Thanks. Anyone else

"N. Miller" wrote:

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:53 AM
Earle Horton wrote:

Please describe how your Hotmail account got hacked. It may beinstructive.
Please describe how your Hotmail account got hacked. It may b
instructive

Cheers

Earl

online forms
thought I jus
IP and a
line. Do w
messages back
those

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:11 AM
DavetheRe wrote:

Stephen,There's phone and chat support for Hotmail Plus customers!!!???
Stephen

There's phone and chat support for Hotmail Plus customers!!!??? This is news
to me

I've followed your link and indeed there is! Microsoft has done a terrific
job in keeping this well hidden. I've been a paying customer for years and I
never knew about this until now. Go to the Hotmail interface (or the Windows
Live page) and all you see is a Feedback feature. This leads to a form to
fill out and submit. Where is there any indication on my Hotmail (Live
Hotmail or whatever it's supposed to be called) that there is phone and chat
support? Nowhere

Thanks alot, Microsoft, for your great service

Dave

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 8:25 PM
StephenB wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
Dave the Red <***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote

Phone support is actually very expensive. I used to be a support supervisor an
was involved in some of the cost and staffing models. About 12 years ago, w
figured that the average call cost about 12 US$ to handle. That took int
account a slew of "how do I do..." calls that took a minute or two to handle.
Talk time was typically under 10 minutes on average. If the call was escalated
as a problem log to my level, the cost went to US$ 120 per incident. I'm sure
that these prices have risen dramatically, despite most of it being outsourced
overseas. It is much more cost effective to handle support via email, though not
as satisfactory for customers, unfortunately. Anyway, I have found that any
Microsoft service that you pay for - MSN, xbox, Zune, OneCare - has phone and
chat support available in the US. It may differ for other parts of the world,
but phone numbers are no longer published unless they are pay per incident
support lines.

-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 8:26 PM
StephenB wrote:

That was my original question, Earle.
That was my original question, Earle. Having that information may help determine
if it can be recovered.

-steve

"Earle Horton" <***@nospam.com> wrote:


--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org

On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 11:26 PM
Earle Horton wrote:

Quite, but I am thinking of instructive value, to deter other peoplefrom
Quite, but I am thinking of instructive value, to deter other people
from "hacking" my Hotmail account, for example. I am thinking, "Don't
tell anyone your password" as a start.

Cheers,

Earle

"StephenB" <***@mvps.org> wrote in message news:***@4ax.com...
determine
hackers
leave

On Wednesday, December 05, 2007 9:21 AM
spencer wrote:

HOTMAIL has a major security problem!
HOTMAIL has a major security problem!
Not only was my hotmail account hacked but my ebay account as well.
I have never given my passwords to anyone.
It appears that there is a bad security breach somewhere.
The Microsoft support is useless.
I sent a request and got a reply asking for personal details so the password
coould be reset. When I replied to the email it was bounced by the microsoft
postoffice!!
I have tried three times to get someone to actually read what the problem is
but still no success.
The email to reset the password goes to the email address that I cannot
access. Catch 22!!

ebay has an efficient chat method of dealing with the problem and my ebay
account is now closed.

On Wednesday, December 05, 2007 7:35 PM
StephenB wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
spencer2 <***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:


Did you not provide the Secret Questions and Answers and an alternate email
address for your LiveID?
Without that, you need to deal with the issue you have right now and that is
contacting support via email. It can be painful, but if your first reply
bounced, open a new case and reference the new case.
-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org

On Wednesday, December 05, 2007 8:25 PM
Earle Horton wrote:

Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
"StephenB" <***@mvps.org> wrote in message news:***@4ax.com...
first
I suspect that this fellow had his email address and password on a PDA
or in a notebook, that he used an easy one to guess or even that someone
has been inspecting his trash, and found a crumpled piece of notebook
paper with all the information on it. The "hacker" with access to this
information would have been able to change secret questions and answers,
replace the alternate email address, everything. I am thinking be more
careful next time. He also doesn't say what was the motivation for the
hacker to do all this. Flame war gone bad, maybe? Unscrupulous
merchant perhaps. Answered a phishing scheme maybe.

This sort of complaint is extremely rare. I am thinking that it was
impossible for the "hacker" to get in without some sort of help. I
visited the Galician city of Lugo, a very old city with its Roman wall
still intact. The wall is very impressive, you should see it, but the
Visigoths just bribed their way in through one of the gates.

If there is nothing else compromised, just abandon the Hotmail address,
contact all your friends with the replacement, and get on with things.
If the "hacker" now has the means to get credit card numbers or other
useful information, and there are signs that he has done so, then it is
time to contact law enforcement.

If you're not too embarassed, I am sure that many would like to hear the
whole story. It may at least be instructive.

Cheers,

Earle

On Thursday, December 06, 2007 7:51 AM
spencer wrote:

Hi Earle and Stephen.Thanks for your replies.
Hi Earle and Stephen.
Thanks for your replies.
the sequence of events was that I was using my laptop through a router with
the usual firewalls, spybot S&D, AVG virus etc and windows vista home.
On the morning of Wed 28th Nov my hotmail account was OK. In the evening, I
tried to check my emails and could not log in.
I have had the account for some years and had paid for the continued use of
the hotmail account so it would not expire.
At the time of opening the account, I only had it as the email account so
there was not an alternate email address.
I tried the 'forgotten password" help but it only sent the email to the
account that I could not access.
I tried the secret question but it was displayed in Japanese or chinese
characters.
I have tried 3 times to contact Microsoft. The first reply addressed the
problem and Riza requested personal information to ascertain that I was the
owner of the account. This was OK by me for obvious reasons. The problem was
that the reply I sent to the email address that Riza used bounced back from
the Microsoft Post office.
I again went through the "Help" section to report the problem with the
bounced email but got a reply that if I was having problems contacting other
hotmail addresses I should look at my setup.
i have tried again to contact Microsoft but again the email bounced.
Obviously the techs at microsoft have never tried to use their support
system as a person who has had their hotmail account hijacked.
I am still waiting for a reply to the last support request.
I have never given my password to anyone. (not even my wife!!)
I was concerned when I checked "hotmail hacked" on Google and found that
others had had the same problem. Try typing "hotmail hack" into this forum
search and you may be surprised.
One of the other forum entries mentioned that their ebay account was
compromised as well. On checking, I found mine was unable to be accessed as
well.
Ebay has an excellent support system and I have now recovered that account.
I am careful with passwords and computer security and am concerned that
hotmail was able to be hacked. I am also surprised at how difficult it is to
find and get support from Microsoft on this issue.
I am still awaiting a response from Microsoft to address this problem.
There has to be an easier method of recovering a password.
Microsoft should send emails where they request data that have valid
addresses to enable replies to be sent.
I paid for the hotmail account and I should be able to recover it without
all this drama.
Maybe this problem is huge and no-one wants to admit it?
Cheers
Spencer2

On Thursday, December 06, 2007 7:46 PM
StephenB wrote:

If you are a paying customer for hotmail, phone support is available, but
If you are a paying customer for hotmail, phone support is available, but the
phone number can only be accessed by signing in - that would be a problem, of
course, in your case since you can't sign in.
If you are in North America, email me at ***@mvps.org and I'll see if I can
lend a hand.
-steve


spencer2 <***@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:


--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
***@mvps.org

On Thursday, December 06, 2007 8:40 PM
spencer wrote:

Thanks Stephen, I have sent you a email separately with copies of original
Thanks Stephen,
I have sent you a email separately with copies of original emails and
responses from Microsoft.


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StephenB
2009-12-29 01:21:31 UTC
Permalink
You may want to review this post:
https://windowslivehelp.com/solutions/accounts/archive/2008/10/25/what-to-do-if-you-think-your-accounts-been-stolen.aspx
Post by unknown
helooooooooooo
HOTMAIL has a major security problem!
05-Dec-07
HOTMAIL has a major security problem!
Not only was my hotmail account hacked but my ebay account as well.
I have never given my passwords to anyone.
It appears that there is a bad security breach somewhere.
The Microsoft support is useless.
I sent a request and got a reply asking for personal details so the password
coould be reset. When I replied to the email it was bounced by the microsoft
postoffice!!
I have tried three times to get someone to actually read what the problem is
but still no success.
The email to reset the password goes to the email address that I cannot
access. Catch 22!!
ebay has an efficient chat method of dealing with the problem and my ebay
account is now closed.
On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 2:02 AM
Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
My hotmail got hacked last week and after dozens of emails and online forms,
no response. Actually, I did get one email from someone when I thought I just
forgot my security question. I've sinced replied with the hackers IP and an
email from the hacker (he's replying to emails!).
On some forums I see where the UK has a Hotmail support phone line. Do we
have anything like that? I'd love to get my account and 3,000 messages back.
Steve
On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 2:06 AM
PS - no word back from the support guy and his email box was cancelled.
PS - no word back from the support guy and his email box was cancelled.
On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 4:54 AM
Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
Someone hijacked your account by changing the password?
Hotmail support is only via email - http://support.live.com unless you are a
paid subscriber for Windows Live Hotmail Plus, MSN Premium or dial-up and
similar. In that case, you can go to http://support.msn.com to see your support
options.
-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 6:51 AM
Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
Even if you get it back, it is unlikely that the thief would leave those
3,000 messages intact.
--
Norman
~Shine, bright morning light,
~now in the air the spring is coming.
~Sweet, blowing wind,
~singing down the hills and valleys.
On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:46 AM
Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
Thanks. Anyone else?
On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 9:53 AM
Please describe how your Hotmail account got hacked. It may beinstructive.
Please describe how your Hotmail account got hacked. It may be
instructive.
Cheers,
Earle
online forms,
thought I just
IP and an
line. Do we
messages back.
those
On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 10:11 AM
Stephen,There's phone and chat support for Hotmail Plus customers!!!???
Stephen,
There's phone and chat support for Hotmail Plus customers!!!??? This is news
to me!
I've followed your link and indeed there is! Microsoft has done a terrific
job in keeping this well hidden. I've been a paying customer for years and I
never knew about this until now. Go to the Hotmail interface (or the Windows
Live page) and all you see is a Feedback feature. This leads to a form to
fill out and submit. Where is there any indication on my Hotmail (Live
Hotmail or whatever it's supposed to be called) that there is phone and chat
support? Nowhere.
Thanks alot, Microsoft, for your great service!
Dave
On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 8:25 PM
Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
Phone support is actually very expensive. I used to be a support supervisor and
was involved in some of the cost and staffing models. About 12 years ago, we
figured that the average call cost about 12 US$ to handle. That took into
account a slew of "how do I do..." calls that took a minute or two to handle.
Talk time was typically under 10 minutes on average. If the call was escalated
as a problem log to my level, the cost went to US$ 120 per incident. I'm sure
that these prices have risen dramatically, despite most of it being outsourced
overseas. It is much more cost effective to handle support via email, though not
as satisfactory for customers, unfortunately. Anyway, I have found that any
Microsoft service that you pay for - MSN, xbox, Zune, OneCare - has phone and
chat support available in the US. It may differ for other parts of the world,
but phone numbers are no longer published unless they are pay per incident
support lines.
-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 8:26 PM
That was my original question, Earle.
That was my original question, Earle. Having that information may help determine
if it can be recovered.
-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
On Tuesday, November 27, 2007 11:26 PM
Quite, but I am thinking of instructive value, to deter other peoplefrom
Quite, but I am thinking of instructive value, to deter other people
from "hacking" my Hotmail account, for example. I am thinking, "Don't
tell anyone your password" as a start.
Cheers,
Earle
determine
hackers
leave
On Wednesday, December 05, 2007 9:21 AM
HOTMAIL has a major security problem!
HOTMAIL has a major security problem!
Not only was my hotmail account hacked but my ebay account as well.
I have never given my passwords to anyone.
It appears that there is a bad security breach somewhere.
The Microsoft support is useless.
I sent a request and got a reply asking for personal details so the password
coould be reset. When I replied to the email it was bounced by the microsoft
postoffice!!
I have tried three times to get someone to actually read what the problem is
but still no success.
The email to reset the password goes to the email address that I cannot
access. Catch 22!!
ebay has an efficient chat method of dealing with the problem and my ebay
account is now closed.
On Wednesday, December 05, 2007 7:35 PM
Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
Did you not provide the Secret Questions and Answers and an alternate email
address for your LiveID?
Without that, you need to deal with the issue you have right now and that is
contacting support via email. It can be painful, but if your first reply
bounced, open a new case and reference the new case.
-steve
--
Stephen Boots
MVP Windows Live
Windows Live OneCare Forum Moderator
On Wednesday, December 05, 2007 8:25 PM
Re: Hotmail hacked, can't get any support...
first
I suspect that this fellow had his email address and password on a PDA
or in a notebook, that he used an easy one to guess or even that someone
has been inspecting his trash, and found a crumpled piece of notebook
paper with all the information on it. The "hacker" with access to this
information would have been able to change secret questions and answers,
replace the alternate email address, everything. I am thinking be more
careful next time. He also doesn't say what was the motivation for the
hacker to do all this. Flame war gone bad, maybe? Unscrupulous
merchant perhaps. Answered a phishing scheme maybe.
This sort of complaint is extremely rare. I am thinking that it was
impossible for the "hacker" to get in without some sort of help. I
visited the Galician city of Lugo, a very old city with its Roman wall
still intact. The wall is very impressive, you should see it, but the
Visigoths just bribed their way in through one of the gates.
If there is nothing else compromised, just abandon the Hotmail address,
contact all your friends with the replacement, and get on with things.
If the "hacker" now has the means to get credit card numbers or other
useful information, and there are signs that he has done so, then it is
time to contact law enforcement.
If you're not too embarassed, I am sure that many would like to hear the
whole story. It may at least be instructive.
Cheers,
Earle
On Thursday, December 06, 2007 7:51 AM
Hi Earle and Stephen.Thanks for your replies.
Hi Earle and Stephen.
Thanks for your replies.
the sequence of events was that I was using my laptop through a router with
the usual firewalls, spybot S&D, AVG virus etc and windows vista home.
On the morning of Wed 28th Nov my hotmail account was OK. In the evening, I
tried to check my emails and could not log in.
I have had the account for some years and had paid for the continued use of
the hotmail account so it would not expire.
At the time of opening the account, I only had it as the email account so
there was not an alternate email address.
I tried the 'forgotten password" help but it only sent the email to the
account that I could not access.
I tried the secret question but it was displayed in Japanese or chinese
characters.
I have tried 3 times to contact Microsoft. The first reply addressed the
problem and Riza requested personal information to ascertain that I was the
owner of the account. This was OK by me for obvious reasons. The problem was
that the reply I sent to the email address that Riza used bounced back from
the Microsoft Post office.
I again went through the "Help" section to report the problem with the
bounced email but got a reply that if I was having problems contacting other
hotmail addresses I should look at my setup.
i have tried again to contact Microsoft but again the email bounced.
Obviously the techs at microsoft have never tried to use their support
system as a person who has had their hotmail account hijacked.
I am still waiting for a reply to the last support request.
I have never given my password to anyone. (not even my wife!!)
I was concerned when I checked "hotmail hacked" on Google and found that
others had had the same problem. Try typing "hotmail hack" into this forum
search and you may be surprised.
One of the other forum entries mentioned that their ebay account was
compromised as well. On checking, I found mine was unable to be accessed as
well.
Ebay has an excellent support system and I have now recovered that account.
I am careful with passwords and computer security and am concerned that
hotmail was able to be hacked. I am also surprised at how difficult it is to
find and get support from Microsoft on this issue.
I am still awaiting a response from Microsoft to address this problem.
There has to be an easier method of recovering a password.
Microsoft should send emails where they request data that have valid
addresses to enable replies to be sent.
I paid for the hotmail account and I should be able to recover it without
all this drama.
Maybe this problem is huge and no-one wants to admit it?
Cheers
Spencer2
On Thursday, December 06, 2007 7:46 PM
If you are a paying customer for hotmail, phone support is available, but
If you are a paying customer for hotmail, phone support is available, but the
phone number can only be accessed by signing in - that would be a problem, of
course, in your case since you can't sign in.
lend a hand.
-steve
--
Stephen Boots
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live
***@mvps.org
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