Temporarily Banned!

[Cyphoner]

So i was playing my 5 toons as usual last night and did lots of instancing.

Since i started running my own 5 man team, people from the guild have kept asking if this is not cheating and some even accused me for cheating... So this morning i tried to logon my accounts and it said it was the wrong password.
Checked my mail and discovered that one of my five accounts was now banned, following this message:

***Notice of Account Closure***

Account Name: XXXXXXXX

Reason for Closure: Terms of Use Violation -- Exploitative Activity: Unauthorized Cheat Programs ("Hacks")

This account was closed because one or more characters were identified using an unauthorized cheat program, also known as a "hack". These programs provide character benefits normally not achievable in the World of Warcraft. Use of these unauthorized programs harms the game environment because they offer an unfair advantage over other players and supersede the intended limits of the game.

Even if this behavior is the result of a third party accessing the account instead of the registered user (for example, a friend, family member, or leveling service) then the account can still be held responsible for the penalty because of the impact it had on the game environment.

We've found the above behavior is many times directly related to groups responsible for compromising World of Warcraft accounts; we take these issues very seriously. To better understand our position against exploitative activity and the risks involved, please review this article: http://www.wow-europe.com/en/info/faq/antigoldselling.html

The exploitative activity that took place on this account violates the World of Warcraft Terms of Use. We ask you take a moment to review these terms at http://eu.blizzard.com/company/legal/index.html. Any recurring subscriptions on this account have been suspended to prevent further monetary charges.

For any disputes of this action or further information on Exploitive Activity, please visit the Exploitative Activity FAQ and contact page here:
http://eu.blizzard.com/support/article/41654

Regards,

Customer Services
Blizzard Entertainment Europe
http://eu.battle.net/wow/en/
-----------------------------------
Now of course i called Blizzard account and billing support at once they opened and after a while of talking where i clearly pointed out that it was ONLY one of 5 accounts, under the same battle.net account that had been picked for a ban.
I also pointed out that i am multiboxing, currently and have been using Keyclone for a long time.

The guy i spoke with was kind enough to inform me that it was a 3 day ban and not a closure as the email stated.
He also said he escalated this issue to the account department and informed them about the fact that i am multiboxing using a third party program called keyclone.

Now the thing that scares me... Is this a common thing, to get banned now and then just because some people who does not comprehend what multiboxing is, reports you? Or is this related to Keyclone?(which has not been updated for the past 2 years soon?)

Would really like to hear from some of you, what you think of this matter, if you experienced similiar situations etc.

And just to be clear, i do not use any kind of botting or speedhacking program, why would i need that when i got my own team running dungeons instantly? ;)

[Khatovar]

Just because you get reported doesn't mean auto-ban. People get reported on a daily basis, especially those that do Arena and BGs, some using Keyclone, some using any number of other programs.The GMs should know what they are doing when they process a ticket. Sometimes they don't and most of the time they're pretty vague. Nothing you can do when that happens but complain until you find someone who does know what they're talking about.

[ashlor]

I would say that this is more of the GM, who did issue the ban, not knowing what multiboxing is. As this has been the issue in most of the posts I have read here on the matter. I do not think, however, that it is a "common issue" but it has been brought up in the past so take that bit as you will.
I can not say that I have ever experienced a ban, so I may not be a big help there, but I would not look to much further into why, and just chalk it up to a mistake. As even with your details of your phone conversation they said that the email you had gotten was wrong.

[Nolife]

That sucks! :( But, i wouldn't be too freaked out by this incident. It was probably caused by some ignorant GM who either didn't know what multiboxing is, or was too lazy to check if a "bot" report was valid.

Been boxing since 2007 and never had any problems.

[Hivetyrant]

and it said it was the wrong password.

Your password doesn't change when your account gets banned, you would have recieved a message when trying to log in saying your account has been suspended/frozen.

Sure it isn't a scam?

[Cyphoner]

That makes one even more worried..

Doesn't the gamemasters even check upon the battle.net account?

It's quite obvious if the person has 5 level 82 characters on 5 separate accounts under the same battle.net account who's been doing nothing but dungeons since level ~12 in same group, at all times - is a boxer?

Then again, logic never seems to be on Blizzards strong side from my experience :rolleyes:

[Cyphoner]

Your password doesn't change when your account gets banned, you would have recieved a message when trying to log in saying your account has been suspended/frozen.

Sure it isn't a scam?


Actually they do change it now when they ban an account under a battle.net account(if you have several there). So that was all in order. Most likely just in case your battle.net account was hijacked and used for cheating, they don't want the person who stole battle.net account to burn all of your accounts on it?

The ban applied to 1 account of the 5 under 1 battle.net account - Complicated i know :D

And when i logon i do get the message that it's temporarily suspended, but of course only on that specific account, the other four still works fine.

Also, if it was a scam, they are damn good at it since i called their own Account & billing support who confirmed it.. :P

[dancook]

When i tried to logon to my accounts the other day it locked me out due to "suspicious activity". I couldn't login to my battle.net account management, so I requested a new password and everything worked again!

[Cyphoner]

Wow, just one word, WOW...

So i got another mail from Blizzard with following:

Greetings,

Following a review of your case, we can confirm that the evidence presented was correct, and that the subsequent action taken was appropriate. Our decision in this matter stands, and will not be overturned.

Please note, it is our policy never to reveal details regarding account investigations, beyond the information given in the original notice mail, for privacy and security reasons.

We now consider this matter closed, and would not look to enter into further communication on the matter.

If you wish to review our current Rules and Policies, they can be found at:

http://eu.blizzard.com/support/index/wow_policy

http://eu.blizzard.com/en-gb/company/about/termsofuse.html


Laura H.
Customer Services
Blizzard Entertainment
http://eu.blizzard.com/support


Well, pissed off by now as i was i decided to give the Account & Billing support a final call - To cancel all of my subscriptions and even demand a refund since they actually(after the ban) charged the same account for another period.

After she put me on hold for about 5 minutes she returned to me and told me that there has been a misstake in regards to my ban and that they've added an extra day since i was unable to play today(since early morning), and also told me that these things happends sometimes but it is perfectly fine to use keyclone(according to her colleague)

Good god, should it really have to go as far as calling and claim refund + cancel subscriptions for them to actually understand a person is innocent and did nothing wrong?

Can only say - Wow...

I guess the hilarious thing now would be me logging on, and get one of the other accounts banned tomorrow.. :rolleyes:

Oh well, case closed. :)

[Lyonheart]

I think when they fuck up like that they should give a free month. They cause people a lot of stress when they do that. One day free does not make up for the stress caused by their incompetence. And "ban first ask questions later" is a fucked up policy anyway.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

Keep in mind that GMs aren't around forever. They come and go, and it is possible though rare to get two GMs that don't know multiboxing from falafel. My only suggestion is when these things happen, have them make a note on your account that you multibox.

[ebony]

Just keep emailing them and try and get what you was banned for say your multiboxing and if this is why i was banned?? if they say yes then say has the TOS changed. List the software you was useing someone will say something in the end its seems like there not even reading what your putting and just putting the auto telscripts to you try and get it to customer service manager


Well keyclone has been round since the start of time and as long as your useing the copy from the keyclone site then i do not see why they ban you for it.


Not all GM's can ban theres a department that deals with bans and they know what is botting and automated play is maybe you fell though the gap that is very rare (hey i been following a bot for 5 days nows from level 50 its now level 78 before it got banned. after chatting to a GM about it 2 times they said they can not add bans and a 2nd department deals with it.)

and when you get the other acconts back on the same B.net open a ticket and ask about multiboxing.

Good Luck and hope you get your acconts back.

[Apps]

I don’t think its appropriate to explain how I know, however.. Here is how you get banned.

A report is made by a GM, either prompted by him/herself or via a customer notification.
Next, the data is reviewed of the character in question, but no minimum than (2) GM employees on first shift, and (1) GM employee on night shift.
All three agree, the subject gets elevated to the Improper use, claims department.
The data is reviewed briefly during one of (4) daily roundtable meetings.
Dispositions are sent to Customer Service to handle with the customer.
Customer Service rep will determine the length of discipline, if any, based upon the suggestion from IU Claims Dept.
(Managers can override at any time)
Customer is notified via template mail.

No one employee has the "power" to discipline a customer. Sorry. No conspiracy theory there. However, note that once the data is reviewed, the subject is what is under review when it goes to final review. The actual data does not. It gets logged.

[zenga]

I don’t think its appropriate to explain how I know, however.. Here is how you get banned.

A report is made by a GM, either prompted by him/herself or via a customer notification.
Next, the data is reviewed of the character in question, but no minimum than (2) GM employees on first shift, and (1) GM employee on night shift.
All three agree, the subject gets elevated to the Improper use, claims department.
The data is reviewed briefly during one of (4) daily roundtable meetings.
Dispositions are sent to Customer Service to handle with the customer.
Customer Service rep will determine the length of discipline, if any, based upon the suggestion from IU Claims Dept.
(Managers can override at any time)
Customer is notified via template mail.

No one employee has the "power" to discipline a customer. Sorry. No conspiracy theory there. However, note that once the data is reviewed, the subject is what is under review when it goes to final review. The actual data does not. It gets logged.

Assuming that is the theory, reality might pan out different. I was once holding a management position, having to sign off/approve 'stuff' for 8 supervisors who were each responsible for a team of 5-7 customer reps. In theory I had to review each and every doc I signed. Which would take me a good 2 weeks per work week. And that was only part of my job. So once a supervisor was 'ok', I basically just signed what they presented me. And the supervisors basically signed what their reps presented them, once they were 'ok'. There was no real other option if we wanted to do our job properly. And I saw this way to do things later in other businesses as well. Dealing with the occasional mistakes was just part of the deal, it 'd take us eventually less time to solve that.

Not saying blizzard works this way, but the way you describe it sounds very time consuming and complicated. So it wouldn't surprise me if reality is slightly different.

[Jeremiah]

Yeah, getting reported is a daily thing for me.

If you run around in capital cities, do arenas/BGs or other activities where you are seen or around hundreds of other players, you will get a few ppl who either a)don't know what multiboxing is or b) have a personal hatred of multiboxers who will report you.

You've just got to roll with the punches and when they do give you a temporary ban/suspension, kick up a stink/call customer support.

You did the right thing on all accounts (no pun intended)

[JohnGabriel]

I have been multiboxing since BC and have never gotten a ban for that. Even though people whisper me all the time saying they reported me.

But I was banned before on a single account. I had a team of 5 shamans and wanted to replace one with a warrior tank. So I was power leveling a warrior by himself over a weekend and received a 72 hour ban. I believe because I played about 44 out of 48 hours over a single weekend.

[Jeremiah]

I have been multiboxing since BC and have never gotten a ban for that. Even though people whisper me all the time saying they reported me.

But I was banned before on a single account. I had a team of 5 shamans and wanted to replace one with a warrior tank. So I was power leveling a warrior by himself over a weekend and received a 72 hour ban. I believe because I played about 44 out of 48 hours over a single weekend.

Bahahaha. Are you sure the ban wasn't actually an intervention?

"Your account has temporarily been banned from our servers. Please get some vitamin D and then come back"

[Zub]

i wonder how many daily 'bot' reports get generated by 12milion accounts, on a daily basis.

[Grail]

Keep in mind that GMs aren't around forever. They come and go, and it is possible though rare to get two GMs that don't know multiboxing from falafel. My only suggestion is when these things happen, have them make a note on your account that you multibox.

That will be the first thing I do when I start to multi-box: Have them note the account.

Good Advice, Thanks.