3 ms·

I’m sorry to hear this, this is a tough situation. Microsoft might, but are unlikely, to help you out. Similar situation with your bank. Neither face a legal

I’m sorry to hear this, this is a tough situation. Microsoft might, but are unlikely, to help you out. Similar situation with your bank. Neither face a legal obligation to help you, just potential bad PR if they don’t. Your best bet may be bankruptcy. It sounds terrible, but assuming you have an LLC/Ltd company, you can clear out your coffers, wind up, pay them pennies on the dollar, if anything, and start a new business. You may need to go through an lawyer or administrator depending on bankruptcy laws where you are. I’ve taken a client through this, after a similar situation - they ended up with a vast bill to a supplier brought about by someone else using their credentials, and the supplier not being willing to budge. It cost about a week of time and about $2k in legal fees. I’ve also been on the receiving end, where I presented a legitimate invoice and rather than pay the client reincorporated and kept the IP - which sucks, but Microsoft will be insured against insolvencies, so I wouldn’t feel bad about it. You’re just allowing their insurer to help everyone out.

kelnos 4y ago
> Microsoft might, but are unlikely, to help you out. Is that true? I have no experience with Microsoft, but I've heard quite a few stories of Amazon crediting AWS accounts when customers write in to say their account was compromised. Or even cases when the customer themselves screwed up some permissions in a way that ended up costing an arm and a leg. Hard to believe this practice would be unique to AWS.
- madaxe_again 4y ago
  You hear the stories with the happy outcomes - I would wager this is selection bias at work, as I’ve seen several instances firsthand where the outcome has been that the bill stands. It’s still worth trying, as a first resort, of course, but it isn’t something I’d count on.

kelnos 4y ago

> Microsoft might, but are unlikely, to help you out. Is that true? I have no experience with Microsoft, but I've heard quite a few stories of Amazon crediting AWS accounts when customers write in to say their account was compromised. Or even cases when the customer themselves screwed up some permissions in a way that ended up costing an arm and a leg. Hard to believe this practice would be unique to AWS.

madaxe_again 4y ago
You hear the stories with the happy outcomes - I would wager this is selection bias at work, as I’ve seen several instances firsthand where the outcome has been that the bill stands. It’s still worth trying, as a first resort, of course, but it isn’t something I’d count on.