Gamer loses 15 years' worth of Xbox games, as reports of hacked Microsoft accounts grow

As buyers increasingly rely on massive digital libraries, hackers see more opportunity to profit. A recent security breach targeted Squirrel Mort, who lost access to Xbox games collected over 15 years. After less-than-helpful customer support, the gamer is desperate to regain access to the purchases. Other fans responding on social media describe similar tragic outcomes.

Why are Xbox accounts so vulnerable?

Sadly, a nefarious individual took ownership of Squirrel Mort’s Microsoft account. Support informed the gamer that this person also changed various security details. If a hacker replaces a registered email address or other information, the original account owner can only create a new username and password. As in this instance, that means potentially sacrificing thousands of dollars in purchases.

To make matters worse, Microsoft logins are tied to even non-gaming-related services. For example, critical files stored in OneDrive could disappear. Still, for some users, games dating back to the Xbox 360 era and earlier are more precious.

Evidence that Squirrel Mort’s case is not isolated comes from Windows Central’s Jez Corden. Replying to the gamer, he revealed that he had “been investigating these reports for almost a year now.” According to Corden, the bans usually lead to undesirable outcomes.

Persistence is critical to recovering Xbox games

Most fans believe that if gamers take proper precautions, they shouldn’t face punishment for hacks. Still, other posters have had better experiences with Microsoft account recovery. With some helpful suggestions for contacts, Squirrel Mort’s saga may yet have a happy ending.

Frustrated PlayStation loyalists have encountered comparable incidents. The most high-profile examples involve prolific trophy holders. Their accomplishments can be resold for considerable amounts on black markets. Even worse, PlayStation customer support has faced accusations of cooperating with thieves.

The best advice to avoid calamities is to enable two-factor authentication. Unfortunately, longtime customers often forget how many PlayStation and Xbox games are at risk before it’s too late.