I got text message from "Microsoft" saying " User verification code [Moderator note: personal info removed] for Microsoft Authentication." Is this scam?

Receiving a text message with a verification code from "Microsoft" can be suspicious, especially if you did not initiate any action that would require such a code. Microsoft typically sends verification codes only in response to a request made by the user, such as when logging in or setting up two-factor authentication. If you did not request this code, it may be a phishing attempt or scam.

To block such messages in the future, you can:

1. Report the message: Use your mobile device's built-in features to report the message as spam.
2. Block the sender: If the number is visible, you can block it directly through your messaging app.
3. Contact your mobile carrier: They may have additional options for blocking spam messages.

Since you mentioned there is no number attached, reporting the message as spam is your best option.

References:

• How do I know if an email from Microsoft support is genuine?
• How to protect against phishing attacks

Hi @K W, 

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum. 

Regarding that you receive saying " User verification code for Microsoft Authentication.". I’d like to gather a few details to better understand your situation and assist you effectively: 

In the current time please avoid clicking on any suspicious link on that email. 

Have check who is the sender? You could open the mail header then put it in the message header analyzer to check who is the sender.  

Or you could provide me the message header I could check it for you. To obtain the message header follow the step by step below  

Right click on that mail then choose view and select view message detail.

After that copy the message detail and paste it in the message header analyzer or you could send it to me in the private message so that I could check it for you.  

If you check the message header and the sender is not Microsoft please report  

Please refer to this article for step by step to report : Phishing and suspicious behavior in Outlook - Microsoft Support  

Refer to this article to know if the email address is from Microsoft or not (But if you are unsure please send me the message header via private message so I could check it for you) : Can I trust email from the Microsoft account team? - Microsoft Support  

But if you want to block the sender right click on that email and select "Block" then choose "Block sender" 

Thank you again for your time and understanding. While my initial response may not resolve the issue immediately, I’d like to gather more details about your situation so I can assist you more effectively.   

I really appreciate your patience, and I’m here to help. Looking forward to your response!   

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