Microsoft: "Millions" Weren't Stolen From Microsoft In MS Points Scandal

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Earlier today, news broke that some devious hackers had figured out how to hack a URL address to get free Microsoft points from a promotional website. It was quickly shut down, but it was reported that the thieves stole millions (millions!) from Microsoft in the mean time. The most-common amount circulated (and the one we reported) was said to be $1.2 million, but some estimates were as high as $3 million. Microsoft is reporting that the real number is much lower.

While Microsoft hasn’t announced the exact amount of money stolen, head of Xbox Live’s enforcement program, Stephen Toulouse wrote on Twitter:

1.2 million. /rolleyes. Check your sources guys sheesh.

Using some simple math, website Ars Technica estimated that the amount of money “stolen” from Microsoft couldn’t be more than $140,000 – considering that the URL hack could of only generated 70,000 codes, and the codes being handed out were for $2 each.

Nobody is quite sure what Microsoft will do about this. This isn’t like somebody hacked Xbox Live or anything (which has been done – remember when Microsoft posted a copy of Halo: Reach on Xbox Live for media reviewers to download and somebody figured out how to download it?). It isn’t entirely legitimate, but somebody did just figure out a way to configure URLs to get codes for free Microsoft Points. I don’t know if it’s clear what Microsoft will do about this – take away the Points, ban the accounts, or what.

In a statement, Microsoft said that they are determining if these people violated Xbox Live’s Terms Of Service or not. Stay tuned for the results. I’m sure whatever happens will be news.