Managing personal Outlook.com account settings, security, and privacy
That message means Microsoft detected an unusual sign-in attempt or possible access to the account. Microsoft does send real security texts like this, and genuine links in Microsoft text messages can begin with aka.ms.
What it means:
- It can happen if there was an unusual sign-in from a new location, device, or app.
- It can also mean someone may be trying to access the account.
- Sometimes it is a genuine mistake by someone entering the wrong phone number or account details.
What to do next:
- Do not enter any code unless it was requested by the account owner.
- Open the Microsoft account security page directly and review activity: https://account.microsoft.com/security
- Select Review activity and check the Recent activity page for unusual sign-in attempts.
- If an activity is not recognized:
- In Unusual activity, expand it and select This wasn't me.
- In Recent activity, expand it and select Secure your account.
- If there is any sign the account was accessed, change the password from the Security basics page.
- Before changing the password on a PC, run a full antivirus scan. In Windows Security: Virus and threat protection > Scan options > Full scan > Scan now.
- After securing the account, check account settings such as connected accounts, forwarding, and automatic replies.
Important:
- If the text was not expected, do not click links unless the message is clearly genuine.
- Microsoft will never proactively contact users to provide unsolicited technical support.
- If unsure whether the message is genuine, sign in by typing https://account.microsoft.com or https://account.live.com directly in the browser.