Account Suspended for Brief Remote Access to Actions Runner – Unable to Appeal Due to +86 SMS Verification Not Supported in China

[HuaMouRenis]

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Dear Github Team:

I received an email yesterday regarding the suspension of my account. It looked like this.

Before this, I only briefly used the remote control software to connect to Actions Runner out of curiosity, which led to my account being suspended. I have already realized my mistake and promise to immediately remove all related repositories that violate the rules once my account is restored.

I found the support portal of Github by following the email address, but my account couldn't be logged in. I could only use SMS verification. However, the problem is that I'm currently in China, but the support portal doesn't support +86 mobile phone numbers. This has prevented me from being able to send complaint tickets through the support portal.

I attempted to send an email to support@github.com , but that also failed. No matter how I sent it, the email would always be blocked, as shown below:

Out of desperation, I had no choice but to use my friend's account to register this Github account. Coming here to send requests for help and discuss, I really have no other option now.

I hope that the relevant department of Github can get involved in this discussion and help me restore my account.

My github username: isHuaMouRen
Linked email address: 2825338723@qq.com

Thank you all.

[HuaMouRenis]

This account is really important to me because I have two open-source projects that I need to maintain. I've been forced to stop updating for two days.

[Arefin994]

Hi @HuaMouRenis,

You’re unfortunately running into two separate issues here, and neither is uncommon:

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1. Account Suspension (Actions Runner Remote Access)

GitHub takes remote access to GitHub Actions runners very seriously. Even short or “curiosity-driven” access can trigger an automatic security suspension, and these are usually manual-review only on GitHub’s side.

Good news:

• This does not automatically mean a permanent ban
• Many similar cases have been restored after review, especially if no abuse followed

Your explanation and willingness to remove violating repositories is the right approach.

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2. Support Portal +86 SMS Issue (China)

This is a known limitation:

• GitHub’s support portal currently does not reliably support +86 SMS verification
• When your account is suspended, login-based appeal becomes impossible
• Email rejections from support@github.com are also reported in restricted regions

You’re not doing anything wrong here — this is a regional verification failure, not user error.

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What You Should Do (Most Effective Path)

✅ Option A (Recommended)

Have your friend submit a GitHub Support ticket on your behalf with:

• Your GitHub username: isHuaMouRen
• Linked email: 2825338723@qq.com
• A short explanation that:
  • Suspension was triggered by brief remote access to Actions Runner
  • No malicious intent
  • You accept responsibility and will remove violating repos
  • You are unable to appeal due to +86 SMS not being supported

GitHub does accept third-party submissions in cases like this.

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✅ Option B (Backup)

Reply directly to the original suspension email you received.

• This sometimes bypasses the portal entirely
• Keep the reply concise and factual

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Important Notes

• Do not create multiple new GitHub accounts
• Do not attempt further runner access
• Keep all communication calm and cooperative (you already are)

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You’ve explained your situation clearly and reasonably.
This is very likely a reviewable suspension, not a final decision.

Hope GitHub staff can see this thread and assist.

[HuaMouRenis]

Thank you very much. However, my friend is also unable to log in to the support portal at the moment. I'll try to reply directly to the original suspension email later.

[HuaMouRenis]

Sending a reply directly to the email sender won't work either. At present, I have no options...

[HuaMouRenis]

Is anyone still here? I've tried almost everything, but nothing works. I'm almost desperate.