* Gmail Fail: Account Lockdown: Unusual Activity Detected

Gmail locks me out daily for READING my mail too quickly.

Gmail locks me out of my email every day for reading my email too quickly. And I am using the paid Google Apps version of email!

Here’s how it happens. I use a service that send me lots of email every day. Sort of like Google Alerts. I quickly read that email and scan it for stuff I care about. Like clockwork, I get locked out of my account after a few dozen messages. This bug is completely repeatable. Today, I got locked out twice: the first time out on message 23, the second time on message 35.

The error message:

Account Lockdown: Unusual Activity Detected

This account has been locked down due to unusual account activity. It may take up to 24 hours for you to regain access.

Unusual account activity includes, but is not limited to:

1. Receiving, deleting, or downloading large amounts of mail via POP in a short period of time.

2. Sending a large number of undeliverable messages (messages that bounce back).

3. Using file-sharing or file-storage software, browser extensions, or third party software that automatically logs in to your account.

4. Leaving multiple instances of your Gmail account open.

5. Browser-related issues. Please note that if you find your browser continually reloading while attempting to access your Inbox, it’s probably a browser issue, and it may be necessary to clear your browser’s cache and cookies.

If you feel that you have been using your Gmail account according to the Gmail Terms of Use, you can troubleshoot your problem by clicking here.

This is complete insanity. I am not doing any of the things in the error message that would justify getting locked out of my paid account. Furthermore, I can “fix” the problem by restarting my browser and logging in to Gmail again.

Dear Google, please fix this problem.

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12 Replies to “* Gmail Fail: Account Lockdown: Unusual Activity Detected”

  1. I was in the hospital with an unexpected heart attack and so not even using my gmail, whihch was open like it ALWAYS is, only to come home to this IDIOTIC message and no access to my email after sending messages to family and friends upon coming home. Nothng unusual to trigger this. This is INSIPID and I have to wonder if this is payback for panning their “New Look:” on another theirs and other sites.

  2. I have a friend who subscribed to the NY Times and began forwarding various articles to me within the past 24 hours. This AM I began reading them and after about the 4th or 5th article, when I tried to delete them I got “Locked out”. That has never happened before. I wonder if, somehow, NY Times and Google are in cahoots.
    I wouldn’t be surprised.

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