Cheap Gamecards, Think Twice Before Buying

[Arlee]

Cutomer Service for SWTOR made a post yesterday saying that they are changing the way they handle people who use Gamecards that were bought illegally. So if you are out there and notice a really good deal on a gamecard you might want to think twice before buying it.

Originally Posted by SWTOR

We want to clarify our policy regarding fraudulent payment activity as it is unfortunately common in online games and we do take action against it. One thing to be aware of is that criminal organizations use stolen credit cards to purchase digital game access codes and then re-sell them, often at a discount from the original retail price. For customers who are looking for a bargain on a game, these cheap game access codes can seem like a good deal and are in fact too good to be true; these are fraudulent transactions that we and our partners cannot support.

We understand that some customers are unaware they are purchasing 'stolen goods' when they buy these codes, usually from online retailers and auction sites. For that reason we have not taken action against customers using these codes in the past, as despite not gaining revenue from their purchase, we still value them as a customer. Over time however, the number of legitimate customers using these codes has dropped, and the number of gold farmers using them has risen to a level where we can no longer ignore these illegal sales.

As a result, we are changing our policies to limit the practice of using fraudulently obtained codes. From May 2nd, 2012 any account created using a fraudulently obtained game access code (ie, one that was bought using a stolen credit card) will be banned from the game service.

This change may affect a very small number of users who believed they purchased an authentic game access code. If your game service is affected, you may contact Customer Service who will help you obtain a legitimate game code to re-instate your account.

To avoid this situation, we strongly recommend you always purchase digital game access codes from official sources such as Origin.com.

We will continue to take action against any activity that breaks the Terms of Service and EUALA for Star Wars™: The Old Republic™ to ensure a safe and fair environment for all players.

(Source)

[Darsithis]

Honestly, that's ridiculous. They should just do what Blizzard does: remove the card and game time from the account. To ban people for not knowing? I realize customers should be smarter than buying cheap game time but not everyone is that aware. They just think they're getting a good deal on legitimate time.

[Dakia]

Honestly, that's ridiculous. They should just do what Blizzard does: remove the card and game time from the account. To ban people for not knowing? I realize customers should be smarter than buying cheap game time but not everyone is that aware. They just think they're getting a good deal on legitimate time.

I really agree on that. The ban seems really harsh. Let's be honest, there stupid people out there who will still purchase these codes because it is cheaper for them.

What I really want to know is if this is a permanent ban or a shorter ban like a week, etc. While a ban seems excessive, a permanent ban would be extremely overkill.

[Profyrion]

Not knowing the law is not a valid excuse for breaking it.

Luckily there's a simple solution for the few innocent people who get caught up in this: call them. Bioware will happily set you back on the right track.

This change may affect a very small number of users who believed they purchased an authentic game access code. If your game service is affected, you may contact Customer Service who will help you obtain a legitimate game code to re-instate your account.

^ The important bit.

[Darsithis]

Not knowing the law is not a valid excuse for breaking it.

Luckily there's a simple solution for the few innocent people who get caught up in this: call them. Bioware will happily set you back on the right track.

It's the idea of a ban in the first place. You're going to get an even smaller subset of people who just won't understand why they've been banned and won't know what to do to correct it. It just seems really harsh

[Profyrion]

Those people will wind up here or on the official forums, and they'll eventually get the information they need.

Maybe I'm harsh, but I have zero sympathy for abject ignorance, and little interest in coddling the few people who "didn't know!"

[Svifnymr]

Honestly, that's ridiculous. They should just do what Blizzard does: remove the card and game time from the account. To ban people for not knowing? I realize customers should be smarter than buying cheap game time but not everyone is that aware. They just think they're getting a good deal on legitimate time.

I'm pretty sure the "created with" part means that if you bought an illegal game, not an illegal time card, that account is banned. I'd assume if you have a valid account, and get a cheap game time code that turns out to be fraud, they simply remove the time.

If you bought a fraudulent GAME, then a ban on that account seems fine really. What is the account if not the game? If you disagree with them, they allow you to call up, plead your case and probably sell you a game and let you keep going. But if you bought a game-code off ebay or something, meh.

[Deamonic]

No, the 'created with' part means specifically that. While you do get 30 days free game time on installation and account creation, i.e. when you first start the game, you still need an 'active account.' Meaning you either need a subscription or a game time card(code). This is saying that accounts created and made active with fraudulently purchased game time codes will be banned, and the ban won't be permanent unless you choose not to go through Customer Service to reinstate it with full price game time.

[Profyrion]

Good catch. I missed that too.

[Zdrasti]

They're making it so you have to speak with their customer reps and go through a process. That way you can be informed of your fail so you don't fall for it again (and if you do, then they have no reason to unban you since they went thru the process with you already). Rather than letting the problem fester and repeat itself month after month, they are basically putting in a process to end it after one month.

[Kelimbror]

It's the idea of a ban in the first place. You're going to get an even smaller subset of people who just won't understand why they've been banned and won't know what to do to correct it. It just seems really harsh

I'm sure there will be a communication via email that says something like:

"HALT. Ye who entered here, did so in un unauthorized way. Your account has been exterminated by power-hungry Daleks. Should you feel you were terminated in error, please use the temporal vortex to contact your local Doctor to go back in time, defeate the Daleks for the thousandth time today, and restore your access.

Should you feel the slightest bit of confusion, please consult your loc...BAD WOLF...al authorities. I'm sure you'll get straightened right out."


PS- Don't turn your back. Don't look away. And don't blink.

[Darsithis]

Bah emails don't do very much. How many people do we see post in WoW gen claiming they haven't a clue why they were banned?

Still, if it's for a new account with no time, it makes sense.

[Arlee]

Yea for a new account that would make sense, especially since they said they are see'ing these gamecards being used by more and more gold farmers are using them. I hope for anyone who uses one of these on an existing account they would just remove the time though.

[Kelimbror]

Bah emails don't do very much. How many people do we see post in WoW gen claiming they haven't a clue why they were banned?

Still, if it's for a new account with no time, it makes sense.

Don't you take the wind out of my Doctor Who ramblings' sails!

But seriously, they can't just call everyone up on the phone to inform them, while sending them a certified postcard as a backup. We are using an electronic service and receive communication through E-mail.

People claiming they have no idea why they were banned are usually people who know exactly why and feign innocence, or freak out and make 100 different forum posts before they even think to check their email. The 1% who really don't know probably haven't gotten their email yet or have spam filters that are set far too aggressively.

In any case, it's mostly my fault if I don't read mail or email to know something. Oh I didn't know you are evicting me because I didn't pay rent, I never check my mail so I thought there wasn't a bill! - will not work IRL.

PS- I agree it would seem like a more customer service oriented move to just remove the game time, but maybe that takes 1 extra minute of time unchecking boxes when they can set up an email template and just click a button to ban someone and send the email.

Either that or they just want to seem way tougher on 'ecriminals' compared to the recent cry of Blizzard's inaction.

I ramble *shrug*

[Leonard McCoy]

Not knowing the law is not a valid excuse for breaking it.

/thread

Buy the card from a trusted source. Not some dude in a back alley selling crack.

[Forsedar]

It's the idea of a ban in the first place. You're going to get an even smaller subset of people who just won't understand why they've been banned and won't know what to do to correct it. It just seems really harsh

My interpretation of it is you get a ban, but it isn't a permanent ban. If my account were shut down and I had no idea why, my first reaction would to call Customer Service. They would sort everything out and if I act like I had NO idea that it was a stolen product, I'm sure they would take care of the matter for me.

[Darsithis]

My interpretation of it is you get a ban, but it isn't a permanent ban. If my account were shut down and I had no idea why, my first reaction would to call Customer Service. They would sort everything out and if I act like I had NO idea that it was a stolen product, I'm sure they would take care of the matter for me.

True, I'm sure it's not going to be a big deal. I completely missed the "new account" part of it, to boot. Being a subscriber since launch, I'm sure if I...accidentally purchased a card like that that I would NOT be banned, but rather lose the time on my account. Now, if that meant I had no more time left, my game would halt, same as any MMO

[Hellfury]

punishing the customer its the most idiotic thing.

Alot of ppl dont understand how gamecard, and online stuff general works. For example, via Bioware it costs 12euros, via a "shaddy site" can cost 8 euros, some ppl assume they are just cheaper or a promotion of some kind. its like buying for example a TV, in a Sony store it can cost 1500euros, on retailer with a promotion can cost 1200euros the exact same TV and this example is perfectly legal, and happens alot with other products that are cheaper on big retailers vs buying from official stores.

Some ppl may just make a correlation with that.

[Reavyn]

While I agree with their actions, I do believe that they should at least clarify the reason for the ban. I don't know if they do this. If they do, the customer can easily rectify the situation if they state something like 'We've detected a fraudulent game-card on your account. Please purchase a game-card from a trusted source and contact Customer Support to unlock your account.' If not, they simply lose customers due to being idiots.

[Zdrasti]

While I agree with their actions, I do believe that they should at least clarify the reason for the ban. I don't know if they do this. If they do, the customer can easily rectify the situation if they state something like 'We've detected a fraudulent game-card on your account. Please purchase a game-card from a trusted source and contact Customer Support to unlock your account.' If not, they simply lose customers due to being idiots.

Keep reading, they give an actual customer a means by which to rectify the situation.