[m463]

> The impacted accounts were magically re-enabled 3 days later.

A place I worked would lock your account if (reasons). I remember it happened to me - nonstandard mail client would try to use my old password a bunch of times and my account would lock.

most people would call in and get it unlocked immediately.

I came find out a little-known fact. The account lockout was automated and it would unlock after a certain amount of time. (of course using the wrong password again could lock it again)