Account Security Problems

How to Fix Unauthorized Gift Card Purchases and Family Member Added to Microsoft Account

Huda Qurayshi Oct 1, 2026 870 views

Question details

An unauthorized individual has gained access to a Microsoft account, added themselves as a family member, and made fraudulent gift card purchases.

How to Fix Unauthorized Gift Card Purchases and Family Member Added to Account

Product: Microsoft Account / Family Safety
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: A user discovers unauthorized gift card transactions and an unknown person added to their Family Safety group without permission.
Observed behavior: Users receive unexpected emails confirming family invitations, notice unauthorized gift card purchases, and experience bank account overdraft charges.

Before you start

Before attempting to recover your Microsoft account, immediately contact your bank to freeze any credit or debit cards linked to your account to prevent further unauthorized charges.

Solution 1Recommended

Remove the Unauthorized Member and Secure Your Account

Immediately remove the unknown person from your family group and lock down your account with a new password and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).

If someone has added themselves to your Family Safety group, it means they have compromised your Microsoft account credentials. Securing the account immediately is critical to stopping further unauthorized actions.

Remove from Family Group

Go to the Microsoft Family Safety page online. Locate the unauthorized person's profile, click on it, and select 'Remove from family group'.

Change your password

Navigate to the Microsoft Account Security dashboard, select 'Password security' or 'Change password', and create a strong, unique password.

Enable Two-Step Verification

In the Security dashboard, click 'Advanced security options'. Find the 'Two-step verification' section and follow the prompts to turn it on, ensuring hackers cannot log in without a secondary code.

Review recent activity

Click on 'Sign-in activity' in the Security dashboard to review unrecognized logins. Flag any suspicious entries to let Microsoft know your account was compromised.

Remove the Unauthorized Member and Secure Your Account

Account Secured: Once 2FA is enabled and the password is changed, the unauthorized user will be logged out of all active sessions across all devices.

Solution 2

Report Fraudulent Transactions to Support and Your Bank

Take immediate action to reverse the unauthorized gift card purchases and overdrafts by contacting Microsoft Support and your financial institution.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Looking for a secure and lightweight Office alternative? Try WPS Office.

While you work on securing your Microsoft account, consider using WPS Office for your document needs. It offers a secure, lightweight, and completely free alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring your local files remain safe and accessible without relying on cloud-based account subscriptions.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button for your operating system.
2. Install the software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up WPS Office on your device.
3. Open existing documents: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Office files directly; no format conversion is required.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How did an unauthorized person add themselves to my Microsoft Family?

Hackers who gain access to your Microsoft account credentials can send and accept family invitations on your behalf. They do this to exploit shared payment methods attached to the family organizer's account.

Can I get a refund for the unauthorized Microsoft gift card purchases?

You must contact your bank and Microsoft Support immediately. While Microsoft's refund policy on gift cards is typically strict, reporting it as account fraud often helps initiate an investigation or a chargeback through your bank.

Should I delete my Microsoft account after it has been hacked?

It is usually not necessary to delete your account. Removing the unauthorized user, changing your password, and enabling Two-Step Verification (2FA) is typically enough to completely re-secure your account and prevent future access.

Microsoft Office Security Issues