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Scammers Send Emails From Microsoft Notification Address

Scammers have used a loophole to send messages from a Microsoft email address normally reserved for account alerts. The activity has continued for several months, and Microsoft has not yet responded to inquiries about stopping the abuse.

TechCrunch
1 source·May 21, 11:42 AM(8 days ago)·1m read
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Scammers have sent emails from an internal Microsoft address that the company normally uses for legitimate account notifications. The messages have reached multiple recipients over recent months. com. Recipients reported subject lines that resembled fraud alerts or notifications about private messages.

The Spamhaus Project posted on social media Tuesday that it had observed the same activity for several months. The group stated that automated notification systems should not allow this level of customization. Spamhaus said it has notified Microsoft of the issue.

Microsoft acknowledged an inquiry from TechCrunch earlier this week but has not yet provided a comment on whether the abuse has been stopped.

Similar abuses of company systems have occurred in recent months. Hackers broke into a platform used by fintech firm Betterment earlier this year to send fraudulent notifications about cryptocurrency values. In 2023, hackers used an email account run by Namecheap to send phishing messages. Other users have reported that addresses from additional companies have also been used to send spam.

Key Facts

Email address
msonlineservicesteam@microsoftonline.com
Duration
Activity reported for several months
Microsoft response
Acknowledged inquiry but has not commented

Story Timeline

3 events
  1. 2023

    Hackers used a Namecheap email account to send phishing messages.

    1 sourceTechCrunch
  2. Earlier this year

    Hackers broke into a Betterment platform to send fraudulent crypto notifications.

    1 sourceTechCrunch
  3. Tuesday

    The Spamhaus Project reported ongoing abuse of the Microsoft address.

    1 sourceTechCrunch

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Recipients may receive more fraudulent messages that appear to come from Microsoft.

  2. 02

    Microsoft may face increased customer support requests about suspicious emails.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1
Confidence score75%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count171 words
PublishedMay 21, 2026, 11:42 AM
Bias signals removed2 across 1 outlet
Signal Breakdown
Loaded 1Editorializing 1

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