Microsoft sign-in approval request you didn't expect

A notification from the Microsoft Authenticator app asking you to approve a sign-in, usually with a number to type in. It may come again and again. Sometimes someone calls or messages at the same time, claiming to be IT or Microsoft, asking you to approve it.

Microsoft Authenticator. A sign-in request for name[at]yourcompany[.]com, asking you to enter the number shown on the sign-in screen. It comes again a minute later, and again.

Why this is a scam

The request itself is real. Microsoft Authenticator sends it during a sign-in to your account. If you didn't just try to sign in, someone may be trying to get into your account, and may already have your password. Microsoft's advice is not to respond to any code you didn't request. Deny it.

Red flags

  • If you are signing in right now, on your own device, it's yours.
  • If you are not, it isn't, however many times it repeats.
  • If it asks for a number, that number is shown on the sign-in screen of whoever is signing in. If you can't see that screen, you are not the one signing in.
  • Someone calls or messages asking you to approve it or read out a code. Never do either, whoever they say they are.

How it works

The prompts keep coming, and people approve one just to make them stop. A call from someone claiming to be IT gives you a reason to say yes.

What to do

  • Deny the request. If the app offers a way to report it as suspicious, use it.
  • Change your password now, from a sign-in page you reach by typing the address yourself.
  • On a work account, tell your IT team straight away. They can see the attempt and act on it.
  • If someone called or messaged you about it, hang up and don't reply. Report that too.

If you already approved it

  • Change your password immediately.
  • Tell your IT team now, even if nothing seems wrong.
  • Watch for new inbox rules, forwarding, or sign-in alerts you didn't set up.

Related: Microsoft "Verify your identity" sign-in screen and Microsoft "verify your identity" email.

Scam

Red flag

Flggd found signs in this message that match known scam patterns. Do not reply, click, call or pay.

What to do next

Do not reply, click any link, call any number in the message or send money. If it claims to be from an organisation you know, contact them using details you already trust.

Likely to be a scam

Yellow flag

It asks you to act: a link, a number, a reply or a payment. Where that request leads is where the harm starts.

What to do next

Do not reply, click any link, call any number in the message or send money. If it claims to be from an organisation you know, contact them using details you already trust.

Likely to be a scam

Grey flag

Nothing is asked of you yet. The content, the sender or the intent do not add up. Scams like this start friendly and ask later.

What to do next

Do not reply at all, not even to say wrong number. A reply tells them the number is live. Block the sender and delete the message. If a request follows, check it again.

Looks normal

Green flag

Flggd found nothing in this message that matches known scam patterns. This is an assessment of the message, not a guarantee. Accounts can be taken over, so if a request seems out of character, check again.

What to do next

No action needed. If the sender later asks for money, codes or personal details, check that message too.

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Flggd Verdict

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Flggd Verdict

Scam

Red flag

Flggd found signs in this message that match known scam patterns. Do not reply, click, call or pay.

Likely to be a scam

Yellow flag

It asks you to act: a link, a number, a reply or a payment. Where that request leads is where the harm starts.

Looks normal

Green flag

Flggd found nothing in this message that matches known scam patterns. This is an assessment of the message, not a guarantee. Accounts can be taken over, so if a request seems out of character, check again.

Likely to be a scam

Grey flag

Nothing is asked of you yet. The content, the sender or the intent do not add up. Scams like this start friendly and ask later.

This result could not be shown. Check the message again. If it happens twice, use the Flggd app instead.

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Why Flggd says this

What this message wants you to do

Has anything happened yet?

You do not have to answer. Nothing you tap here is sent or recorded, and the verdict above stands either way.

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Nothing has happened yet

Good. Checking first is the safest thing to do. Do not tap any link, reply, or call any number in the message. Block the sender and delete the message. If it claims to be from an organisation you know, contact them using details you already trust.

Change answer

You tapped a link

Opening a link does not usually take money or details on its own. The harm comes from what you do on the page it opens. If you entered nothing and installed nothing, close the page and do not go back to it. If it asked you to sign in, enter a code, or install something, and you did, choose Gave details instead.

Change answer

You gave details

Work through this in order. First, if you gave bank or card details, call your bank now on the number on your card. Next, change the password for any account you entered, and for any other account that uses the same password. If you shared a one-time code, tell the organisation it belongs to straight away. Then turn on two-step verification where you can, and watch your statements for anything you do not recognise.

Change answer

You sent money

Call your bank now, on the number on your card or in your banking app. Say: "I have been scammed and I need to stop a payment." The sooner they hear from you, the more they may be able to stop or recover. In the UK you can call 159 to reach your bank. Do not pay anyone who offers to get the money back. That is another scam.

Report it. US: ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and ic3.gov for online crime. UK: reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040; in Scotland, Police Scotland on 101. Australia: scamwatch.gov.au. Have ready the message, the sender's number or address, and any payment details.

What to do next

Do not reply, click any link, call any number in the message or send money. If it claims to be from an organisation you know, contact them using details you already trust.

Do not reply, click any link, call any number in the message or send money. If it claims to be from an organisation you know, contact them using details you already trust.

No action needed. If the sender later asks for money, codes or personal details, check that message too.

Do not reply at all, not even to say wrong number. A reply tells them the number is live. Block the sender and delete the message. If a request follows, check it again.

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How this scam works

The closest match is the scam described on this page.

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