Question about Outlook Express

For the last 2 weeks or so, after entering my account details and password for my hotmail account, MICROSOFT have demanded a telephone number or alternative email account details in order for me to access my account.  I contacted using the link within the information for 'help' ....and had a reply that my account had been 'hacked' and my account was producing spam, and it was not MICROSOFT that was asking for this information?!!  This was also the reply when I telephoned on Monday!  The operator wanted permission to carry out a process to access my laptop?...."In order to rectify the problem!"  Tonight, I have finally relented and given further personal information, (I can see no reason that this enhances my security, far from it!)  Microsoft can now monitor BOTH of my email accounts if they so choose!!  Does anyone know HOW or WHY not complying with the 'request' for a telephone number or alternative email address, permits me to be locked out of MY personal email account if I do not supply it?  Or indeed, how sharing this further personal information with MICROSOFT enhances my security?  When clearly scare tactics regarding my account being 'hacked' were being employed to obtain this information, and to have access to my laptop!  When I relented and gave another email account details, miraculously, the alleged 'hacking' difficulty appears to have vanished and I can now access my account..... wonder if I it is STILL producing spam??!!  Has anyone else experienced this kind of blackmail so that they can again access their account?