Summary: Though inactive Hotmail accounts are open for a some time before they're closed, spammers can make it appear as though an account is still active.
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I've been getting email from the Hotmail account of someone who is reportedly deceased. How long is a Hotmail account inactive before they recycle it and make it available to someone else to use? |
That does sound a little unnerving, to be sure. I know I'd be a little 'weirded out' if I got email from someone whom I knew has passed away.
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I don't have an exact number, but I believe Hotmail accounts hang around for several months. I'd guess around six.
But it's more likely that the email is the result of "From address spoofing", a common technique that spammers and some viruses use which doesn't require that the account be active at all. My article "Someone's sending from my email address! How do I stop them?!" discusses how that can happen.
Related:
Ask Leo! - Someone's sending from my email address! How do I stop them?!
Ask Leo! - How do I delete my Hotmail account?
Ask Leo! - Are free email services worth it?
Article C2273 - February 1, 2005
i had folders on my old account and i got a new account a while ago,i used to check every once in a while that i still had the old folders on my old account and then just recently,there all gone! im so upset,these emails in theese folders were very important
Did hotmail delete my folders because i barely use my old account? is THERE absolutly anyways i can get these back somehow!! please help me thank you
Posted by: Bree at March 14, 2006 1:59 PMI have a similar problem to query from Bree on March 14th 2006. I failed to use my hotmail email account for a number of months. When I signed in after that time the account had been deactivated. I reactivated teh account but all my files had been removed. Is there any way I can retrieve these files?
Thanks,
Andy.
Posted by: Andy Stronge at November 13, 2006 1:14 AMThat's this article: http://ask-leo.com/messages_deleted_on_hotmail_can_i_get_them_back_somehow.html
Posted by: Leo Notenboom at November 13, 2006 8:26 AMHow can i know when an e-mail address is avaliable.. I go to write to a certain someone and it says DELIVERY STATUS NOTIFICATION (FAILURE).... wHAT DOES THAT MEAN.
Posted by: Gabriella at August 5, 2007 11:40 PMThis account has been closed
Your account has been closed because it seems to have violated our Terms of Use. To re-open your account, please do the following:
1. Click on the link below and fill out the e-mail support form.
2. In the box labeled "Please select an option", choose Connections/Sign In Problem.
3. Another box will appear. It will also be labeled "Please select an option". Choose Account Closed. Access Denied.
4. Make sure you answer all the questions that have a red star (*) by them. Then click Submit.
Posted by: alsofiani at April 23, 2008 11:55 AMI have my email account closed by msn due to violation of use terms like the problem alsofiani stated.
Msn replied to me that my account is closed for ever, but I need my account for business matters so badly. Pls help.
t
Posted by: leema at August 20, 2008 4:09 PMi need my account back it is very important to me
Posted by: mack at October 31, 2008 1:27 AMim trying to re-open my account and read my mail but still cant and i really need help on this its very important to me...it keeps telling me to fill out the fourm but i see no fourm to do so...PLZ HELP!!!
Posted by: lila at November 13, 2008 10:47 AMmy account is inactive so how can i active my hotmail messages account
Posted by: julia nguyen at April 9, 2009 7:42 AMDear Gentlemen, please help me as soon as the opening of the my email, since my account was closed, I do not know why, please help me, where I need is
Posted by: sydney australian at April 25, 2009 3:59 PM