Due to the power held by Google as a search engine, Microsoft decided to launch its search engine named Bing. This search engine was designed by Google and was launched in 2013. But unlike Google, you were going to be rewarded for using the Bing search engine. Rewards were going to be awarded for searching on the internet, visiting specific websites, and buying some items. This reward system was referred to as Bing rewards. This was exciting and it enticed users of Google to switch over to Bing, which later resulted in the bing rewards account suspended.
You might have been sent an email from Bing telling you your Bing rewards account has been suspended. This is not peculiar to just you as many other users have been sent the same message. This suspension of accounts is not a fault of yours. You might have not exceeded the limits set for use of a Bing account and still received a suspension. This article details why your account might have been suspended and what steps to take to get it back.
Bing Rewards Becomes Microsoft Rewards
Bing Rewards was renamed Microsoft Rewards in 2016. This meant that rewards were earned for any action taken while you were logged into your Microsoft (formerly Bing account). Also, Cortana began using only Bing for search purposes.
Reasons Why Microsoft has suspended my Rewards Account?
The rules guarding usage of Microsoft’s Reward Account change regularly, so you need to keep up with the rules. Asides from the reasons given above, some other reasons why your Bing Rewards account might be suspended include:
Operating numerous accounts with different emails.
Attempting to use points over the stated limits.
Trying to redeem more than the 550,000 yearly points.
Exceeding the reward points stipulated for a person and a household per the agreement.
Use your phone number to open multiple accounts.
Making use of a bot to assist with searches.
Partaking in online fraud such as account theft and phishing.
How to unban my Rewards Account?
There are three ways to take if you want to lift the suspension that has been placed on your account:
Contacting the Rewards Support
Completing an arbitration form
Halt using a VPN
These steps are explained in full below.
Contacting the Rewards Support: To do this, go to the Rewards Support page. Input the issue title under the “Describe your issue” banner. Go on to fill in the information you are asked to fill in. Next, click the drop-down under “What would you like assistance with” and choose your problem. Select your time zone and provide details regarding the issue you are having and then click “Submit”. Microsoft will investigate and decide if the suspension was valid or not. You might be sent an email from support. It is advised you save this email so that if the account is still suspended, you can reference the email.
Completing the Arbitration Form:
Before you file a request for arbitration, you need to read the Services Agreement of Microsoft. Check the clauses under the Rewards section to confirm you have not violated any requirement. If you are certain you have not violated any of the requirements, you can go to the Arbitration section.
Click the link that says “Arbitration and Dispute Resolution”.
Download the Notice of Dispute file after clicking the Demand for Arbitration link.
Complete the form and send it by mail to Microsoft.
The matter should be resolved within 60 days. If it has not been resolved, download the Demand for Arbitration, fill it and send it to Microsoft by mail. You should then wait for a reply from the support team.
Stop using a VPN: Although usage of VPNs has risen due to the pandemic, it might be possible that users are attempting to use rewards from a restricted country, and this is masked by using a VPN. Some users might also try to earn rewards on different accounts by using a VPN. You should turn off your VPN when using your Rewards account and turn it on when done or you could restrict VPN usage on any Microsoft application.
Conclusion
Some users might log in to their Microsoft Rewards account and discover their account is under suspension. There are various reasons why your Microsoft Rewards account was suspended. These reasons include using a VPN to access the service, opening many accounts using the same number or email, and violating an agreement of Microsoft Terms of Service. If you have found yourself in this situation, you can always reach out to Microsoft to lift the suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to lift the suspension on my Rewards account?
Depending on how quickly the issue is looked into, it might take up to 2 months.
- Can I get reward points for visiting a particular website?
Yes, you can. Microsoft rewards customers for visiting specific websites.
- What other ways can I earn rewards?
By buying certain items and searching on the internet using Bing.
- What are some countries where Microsoft Rewards is available?
U.S, U.K, New Zealand, Japan, and France.
