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I was a member with them for 5 years and was earning points and using them for $10 Microsoft cards and Amazon. Then this month they remove my phone number without my approval and you need a code to be texted for you to put in when you redeem your points. I tried to re add my number but it wouldn't let me. I contacted support and they were no help, expected me to use a family member number or neighbor or friend except you need to have that phone with you when you redeem your points so you can put in the code.
I get they want to prevent fraud and abuse but their strict policies are also banning innocent users who have done nothing wrong. I don't use a VPN and never have for rewards, I never traveled out of the country and used it, I never used any bots or scripts for searches and don't know how to, I have only used one MS account for everything; computer, rewards, Office, one drive, email, my game I play. I also use my mobile phone I have from AT&T. I use that phone as my home phone and for all my accounts.
I have other people in my home with MS accounts. I have created one for my kids when we got them windows laptops and I introduced them to rewards so they can earn points as well for Robux, my husband has one for his PC. My parents have one too for their email and computers. I assume this is what triggered my phone number removal because they cannot tell between multiple people in the same household with their own MS account.
MS rewards is a joke. Don't bother with it. Waste of your time if you will get suspended or soft banned.
Desired outcome: Please let me add my number again or change your policy by letting people redeem without having to use a phone.
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yep, it seems like it is, just that you should file with File a Complaint | Consumer Complaints | Better Business Bureau maybe, I too was trying to redeem a $10 dollar xbox gift card, and its getting blocked with an temporarily restricted message, so yes, I can use like gift cards and they work ones you buy for unlocking games from amazon prime, but for whatever reason since maybe around halloween, after I tried to redeem anything points normal searches, on both pc and my android, I getting that message, also once it popup that It’s not you, it’s us.
Something unexpected went wrong on our end. We will resume service as soon as possible – try to refresh the page or check back in few hours to keep enjoying Microsoft Rewards. If the error persist in the coming hours, please create a Customer Support ticket.
I got that message then when I tried again it was the following message below, so yes now it feels like a scam, and a feature they should remove from our series x/s consoles, if their not allowing people to redeem points, from buying their console games anymore.
This account is temporarily restricted because recent account activity may be in breach of the Microsoft Rewards Terms of Service.
Use Bing correctly for regular searches. If you do so, your account can be restored automatically.
Please read how to get the most out of the Microsoft Rewards program.
If you believe your account has been restricted in error, contact customer support.
Microsoft support had us fill out that page with the ticket number should be emailing back but there not or they are delaying the scripted message back where they say its our fault as are normal searches were not within their rules there lie to the buyers, but once again they’re not getting back to anyone about it. Before, they were just spamming our inboxes with a scripted reply, claiming we were doing something wrong with our searches and that’s why we got a temporary restriction notice, which they’re clearly lying to buyers about.
"Use Bing correctly for regular searches. If you do so, your account can be restored automatically." that's the lie its been months I been doing regular searches right, and the account as not been restored back to normal at all, they are lying to people.
I’ve gotten the same scripted Microsoft support email three times, and now they’ve stopped replying altogether. The last thing I successfully redeemed was a digital Halloween movie, but since Halloween 2025, I haven’t been able to redeem Microsoft Rewards Xbox gift cards at all. I can still buy Amazon Prime Xbox gift cards, get them from my parents for doing yard work, and unlock digital games, but my points—earned from buying games, Bing searches on both PC and my Android tablet, and even playing games—aren’t working. I’ve got about 10,002 points, enough for a $10 Xbox gift card, but on PC it blocks me from redeeming, and on my Series X it just fails. No one has emailed me back, and even though I bought myself three games this month, the points still won’t unlock the gift card for use on my console.
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out to us regarding your account that has been restricted. I recognize how important it is to access your preferred rewards without delay, and I’m here to offer clarity on the situation.
Upon review, we found that some of your searches did not comply with the Microsoft Services Agreement – Microsoft Rewards section. Specifically:
Good-Faith Participation: Points for searches are awarded only when you perform genuine, manual searches for your own research. Automated or non-personal searches will not count.
Acquisitions: Not all purchases or downloads from Microsoft qualify for points. Please review the offer terms to see what is eligible.
Redemption Limits: Microsoft may limit how many points or rewards you can earn or redeem in a day, per person, or per household.
Any restrictions should be automatically lifted once the system recognizes consistent improvement in search habits.
We invite you to follow the guidance in this page to get the most out of Microsoft Rewards: Get the most out of Microsoft Rewards. You may also check out the information on doing searches here: Limiting your searches.
I hope this provides clarity on the situation. Thank you for contacting Microsoft Rewards support. Have a good one.
We appreciate your patience and understanding. Should you need to contact us back for any other questions, please feel free to let us know by submitting a support request here.
Regards,
Microsoft Customer Service and Support
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