Is this a legit message from Hotmail.com?

[charlie and algernon]

I tried logging on to hotmail and got the following message. The message is right that someone HAS been sending out spam from my account, but is this message actually FROM hotmail or is this just the spammer/hacker taking it to the next level and trying to get my phone number?

Your account has been blocked
Why are you seeing this?
Someone may have used your account to send out a lot of junk messages (or something else that violates the Windows Live Terms of Service). We're here to help you get your account back.

What do you need to do?
We'll ask you to provide us with a mobile phone number where we can send you a verification code and we'll add this phone number to your Windows Live profile for future use. After you enter the code, you can change your password and sign in.

We've cleaned your account settings
Often customers get here because someone else has access to your account and are using it without your knowledge to send spam. To protect you and your contacts, we've removed any Hotmail auto-replies or linked accounts you may have had.

[Betty88]

1. I got that message a few months ago and never got my account back

I never gave them my phone number, and never will, could not remember what answers I gave to them for the "question" so I had to give up an email account I had for years, linked to all kinds of stuff, yes I'm still twisted.....

[charlie and algernon]

3. yeah, I was afraid of that

I really don't want to give my phone number out either. I'm probably just going to create a new account and idk, see if I can link in the hotmail account to the new one so I can at least see the new messages.

[hobbit709]

2. I'll be damned before I give out my cell number for an email account.

Legit or not. I use a yahoo email box as my throwaway box.

[Zephie]

4. Yep, I got the same thing a few months back

Interestingly on an account I just opened and used for only one craigslist post. :shrug:

[d9x]

5. It is Legit

You got that message because you didn't provide an alternate email account. They shut you down because your account was hijacked and used to send spam. They want you to reset your password. Your phone must be able to receive text messages. Soon as you provide the telephone number they will send you a code or some such thing to reset your password. If you had provided an alternate email account when you set up your account they would not be asking for a telephone number.

Had the same experience with gmail.

http://windowslivehelp.com/solution.aspx?solutionid=6ea0c7b3-1473-4176-b03f-145b951dcb41