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Banned: What can I do to find out why??? Please help me!
My main gaiaonline account, angel junkie, was established in 2003. I have worked hard and donated time, money, and effort into this account. I took a hiatus a few years ago and recently came back to gaia. I have worked very very hard to get the items that I have on that account-I had over 700 most event items, mcs, eis, and interactive items-making my account worth a hefty sum of gaian gold. I am proud of the work I put into that account and it was my very first-I've gone through a lot with it and it has been with me through the years. Recently, 7/7/08, I was on my account one minute the next I was kicked off and told to log-in again. Upon attempting to log in the site told me that I was banned and to inquiry@gaiaonline.com. Well I emailed but no response, except the ticket number 212276...I haven't even received an email stating why I am banned. the email address associated with this account is bleu_berrie@hotmail.com. I have also just tried to submit a ticket through a link I found on here that number is 214750 (sorry I didn't know they went to the same place). My mule account which is not banned is angel-s vampyric aura, you can contact me there as well as here or my email account. Please I never would do anything to hurt gaia or go against the tos! I know that I can be banned at anytime for any reason, but I would like to know why and if I can ever get my old account back. I have donated hundreds-if not over a thousand of my hard earned dollars to gaia over the years that's how much i value gaia! Please help me. What is my recourse?
I’m depressed
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Inappropriate?okay so I FINALLY got a reply on both tickets:
Ticket #212276
"Your account has been permanently banned for trading off-site currency (such as real money) for Gaia gold, which is a violation of the Gaia Terms of Service agreement. Aside from simply being unfair to those who legitimately work hard for their gold, these purchases have far-reaching effects on the Gaian economy, and can be extremely damaging to the gameplay experience for everyone if left unchecked. In addition, the practice of making these types of purchases is disallowed also because it encourages more gold sellers to employ large armies of "goldbots", which continually waste Gaia's bandwidth and CPU power, making thesite more expensive to run."
**I've never done this and I have asked for what the proof for such an accusation is, and I have not received a response back... for that and to imply like the author does that I have not worked hard over the FIVE years I've had this account is absurd when I want to make extra gold I "sell" something in the exchange or mp or donate more to the site so I can get the cash shop items...-sigh- the only place i get gaian gold from is gaia by my own pixel hands or occasional donations.
Ticket #214750
original Message: my account was banned, I never received an email nor did I receive a reason as to why my account was banned. I would like to know>why? and what I can do to appeal it?
the reply:
Hello, Your account was banned for ToS Violations: exchange of gaia gold/goods for irl currency http://www.gaiaonline.com/info/index.... Gold, Virtual Currency. Throughout your Gaia Online experience, you may accumulate "Gold," which constitutes a limited license right to use a feature of Gaia Online when, as, and if allowed by Gaia. Gold is the fictional currency used in the world of Gaia Online and it may be used to purchase virtual goods or virtual services which are stored in the Member's inventory and can be used to enhance the look of the Member's on-line persona or player, also known as an "Avatar." Gaia may charge fees for the right to use Gold, or may distribute Gold without charge, in its sole discretion. Regardless of terminology used, Gold represents a limited license right governed solely under these Terms, has no real value, and is not transferable or redeemable for any sum of money or monetary value from Gaia at any time. You agree that Gaia has the absolute right to reduce,manage, regulate, control, modify and/or eliminate Gold as it sees fit in its sole discretion, and that Gaia will have no liability to you based on its exercise of such rights. Notwithstanding any other language to the contrary, as used in these Terms and throughout Gaia Online in the context of Gold transfers: (a) the term "sell" means "to transfer for consideration to another Member or Gaia the licensed right to use Gold in accordance with these Terms" and (b) the term "buy" means "to receive for consideration from another Member or Gaia the licensed right to use Gold in accordance with these Terms." Gaia may halt, suspend, discontinue, or reverse any Gold transaction (whether proposed, pending or past) in cases of actual or suspected fraud, violations of these Terms or other laws or regulations, or deliberate disruptions to or interference with Gaia Online.
my reply
I NEVER did such a thing, where do you get that I have ever exchanged> irl money for gold? Only thing i have done is DONATE for gaia cash> and letters. I was planning on having a charity auction and put a> tattoo up in the exchange for 1 mil so that no one would buy it i> can't control the fact that someone actually bought it!
**i learned that sometimes large transactions like that can flag an account, but how can you stop someone from purchasing it??? I never in a MILLION years thought that someone would do that!**
their reply:
Purchasing gold is off-site trading, which violates our Terms of Service. Your account will not be unbanned.
**this does not answer my question, what proof? i never did anything wrong! I never traded money for gold-I have things like groceries to buy...i emailed asking for the proof but nothing yet
And is anyone even here that can help? seems like I'm getting skipped over
I’m upset
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Inappropriate?Disclaimer: While I can't speak authoritatively about what caused an account to be banned I can reason a few guesses. Only the representatives reachable via replying to the email you got will be able to help you fully.
I did pull up your vending log, and the suspect transaction was likely the "Black Solar Flare Belly Tattoo" (as of this writing has a Market value of 279g) which was put for "Buy Now Only" at the price of 2000000g. The buyer iiHD3XwP had no post history (http://gaiaonline.com/forum/myposts/1...), and only starter items worn.
Once acquiring the 2mil, transactions were made with that gold for several ultra-rare items including the Biancamella x2 (124999g and 125000g), an Ancient Katana (445000g), a June 2008 Thank You Letter (76000g), and probably a half dozen other items of varying value.
If you don't mind me asking, why was the Solar Flare Tattoo listed for 2 mil and then all the gold liquidated so quickly? Thanks for helping out, and let's definitely get to the bottom of this.
Once again, disclaimer, I cannot reverse a ban, but I do want to try and help your situation as best I can. -
Inappropriate?I was going to start a charity auction with the solar flare-to be different than the other panty auctions going on the autobuy was going to be 2 mil-a ridiculous amount I know. I put it in the mp for that price so that I wouldn't give it away while the auction was going on (I often give small item donations to bumpers and or purchasers just to get rid of items I no longer have need for) and I never thought anyone would be crazy enough to purchase it while I was waiting to set up the auction. With the gold raised from the auction, and with the 2 mil I was going to go/i went through varying questers/charities and give them the items or a sum of gold to help them, I did not have time to put up the details in my shop because I've been helping a friend with their auction. The katana was given to someone who had been hacked and theirs was stolen, the June 2008 was for another person who was hacked and the item was a gift from a close friend.. a lot of the gold and the items that I had gotten from the 2 mil were going to mostly be donations to other people....I was just so excited that I could help so many people I didn't think... I know now that it was stupid to spend the gold and I should have been suspicious and reported it or something...I feel utterly stupid for it...I mean I've calculated all the money I have donated to gaia since the conception of my account and I have donated $2462.50 USD, $820 of that was donated this year alone...I'm currently unemployed so every penny i donated was a sacrifice on my part....I have no idea where I would purchase gold for other currency such as real money, and I never would! I work hard for everything I have, granted spending any of the 2 mil was a mistake-a big one, I was trying to help out fellow gaians...
and thank you for your time, I do appreciate any help that I can get -
Inappropriate?The Biancamella 3rd Gen went to TheAsianPocky, I noticed you have quite a few trades with them for various things., I'm guessing a friend? Also, I don't see the June 2008 letter leaving your account or opened, though I'll continue to check for it.
Just to clarify, you put an item into the marketplace as a means of not selling the item instead of using the storage system. Someone then bought the item with 2 million gold via the Buy Now link. A good portion of gold was spent, and some of the items purchased with the gold were sent to friends.
I'm also having a hard time finding any other vend transactions where the MP was used as a holding bin. Do you know offhand any other items you did that with? Thanks in advance! -
Inappropriate?i haven't been on in a few years, I was recently not sure what I was going to do with my account...I wandered around the mp and the exchange mostly. I used the MP so that I could show I do in fact have the tatt. I randomly pull things out of my storage and either sell back to the store, give away, or attempt to sell. so I was afraid that it would not be safe in storage-I have adhd and often forget things temporarily- the mp was the most logical for me since I tend to leave the items there until the item expires or is bought.
TheAsianPocky has SINCE become a friend- after the ban- at the time I had just met her and felt bad because she had been hacked- SHE IS A 16 YEAR OLD WHO IS DECENT, NICE, AND DOES NOT ACT SPOILED lLIKE A LOT OF GAIANS THESE DAYS...So yeah I was nice to her and donated a lot of stuff she wanted, because she didn't beg, she didn't demand and I think these days as a harken back to the old go-gaia (when it was a small community with a WHOLE lot less greed) that kind of behavior should be REWARDED.
she was one of the ppl that I had decided to donate to with the auction profits ...
there are times that I would hold items in the mp at a slightly higher mp price, then take it down later, but nothing like this before-this was the first auction for charity that I was going to do and I've seen countless gaians do it without their items being purchased so I figured I'd be fine. As I said I had decided to start to donate and do a charity type thing, this was going to be the first of many-how was I supposed to know this would happen? and MOST of the items that were purchased were going to ppl that were questing for one reason or another, as well as a majority of the gold-I had put in bids on several charity auctions and I've gotten to know the ppl since because they found out I was banned- and I had to go to them and tell them that I could no longer uphold my bid since the account had been banned.
You seem to read only what you want-or rather read into it only what you want to and skip over some points that I make- with donating almost a GRAND so far this year why would I even want to go outside the site? especially when it's well known that you get banned for such a thing! Also I could just purchase more cash shop items and sell them for gold or sell some of my inventory off for profit.
Uhm I never purchased a june 2008 from the mp-i had SEVERAL in my invo never ever would have purchased one. I purhased a june 2007 opened it and got the mythrill halo, which I then traded to someone with another mc-the winter rose for some bugs and trash and tickets i think-it was as a donation, but to say that she purchased them again for the person-their friend/sister had gotten hacked and the hackee refused to buy those items so I purchased the letter because it was cheaper than the m.halo itself and a winter rose...i figured it would mean more being donated by the same person rather than being donated by a stranger
you seem more blameful than helpful
I’m suspcious of "help"
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Inappropriate?I'm sorry it comes across as blameful, I'm simply trying to get a full picture of what happened. With only logs on my side, I have to ask questions to fill in the blanks. I hope you can see my side of things, where there's a lot of questions about using an auction system to hold the item (when there's a storage system available that's being used by the "angel junkie" account), the instant liquidation of items to other accounts, and things like that.
Since the items went to various people and probably could not be recovered easily, it seems like it would make the most sense to remove the 2mil from the account, and for the remaining difference that can't be covered, remove items that carry the remainder starting from July 08 (the ban point) and working backwards.
I can't promise anything, but I can at the very least pass on this entire thread to the member services group with recommendations. -
Inappropriate?I wouldn't mind having my gold set to 0 there was about 650k and the items i acquired from it taken out-that's fair. I would even agree to my gaiacash being put down to zero as well to compensate for the items and gold that I gave away. I apologize that I became so upset, I understand that you don't know the entire situation and it can look rather poorly/suspect if you don't know me personally. I just miss my account and the history I have with it and it's a little frustrating on my end-i'm mad at myself mostly for being so naive/not thinking. and anything you could do to help will be more than appreciated. Again I'm sorry that I overreacted before. Thank you so much for your time and effort and anything you can do to help!
I’m hopeful
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Inappropriate?-huggles angel-
I've read through the posts&&have a few questions please.
Jacob- I checked on iiHD3XwP&&you're right. Nothing shows that he was ever 'active' on Gaia, but it is common now a day for old gaians to make a mule account to do all their exchange&&etc. Also alot of gaians dress 'noobish' to get away from hack/scam attempts. It is uncommon to buy an item at such a high price though I admit, leaving angel in that disadvantage, but if you need any info that would prove her&&me right I can, maybe, provide it. &&I'm TheAsianPocky btw.
First thing first, I met angel through a friend of mine who checked out my quest thread, made after I got banned, which angel came later on the next day I think?&&helped me out. She sent me items that I needed for my dream avi, so it's not like she was trying to get rid of that 2mil on random items. Then later on she gifted me the Katana which also serves a purpose since it was one of the items that got hacked from me.
If you don't believe me then here's the quest thread.
http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/chari...
I wouldn't put so much effort into it if this were just for some schemes.
&&It proves she was just trying to help.
If you're wondering why I made a mule it's because my main, babybluetina was hacked, &&my trading pass was disabled. I also couldn't buy or sell in the MP either. If you don't believe me check my trade, if you can. So I needed a new account. Things were donated through both accounts&&now I'm starting to wonder why TheAsianPocky was banned, but my main was? But I'm grateful isn't wasn't though.
I’m TheAsianPocky
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Inappropriate?i am so mad and sad i love gaia and its only thing i do i jus want 11 more chance 4 watever i did plz 1 more chance
I’m sad
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This answers the question
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Hi MC. I'd recommend starting a new topic on the matter if you haven't yet so we can work to resolve this. -
Inappropriate?Hey Tina, I totally get you, I use a mule for a bunch of stuff as well. It's one of the ways to keep organized on Gaia. In the future, requiring the owner of a "buy now" to confirm is probably a good safeguard. I'll toss it over to the developer to see what they think. This way if someone offers 2mil for something, you can do some research into the person to help prevent stuff like this from happening. (Maybe the gold seller got Angel's account mixed up with someone? Talk about money from the sky! :) )
@Angel: I'll pass on the info, thank you for helping get all this info out there. I don't know what will come of it, but hopefully we'll be able to get this resolved. -
Inappropriate?y'know Jakob, the confirmation idea is great! And thank you for doing what you can- I know there are no gaurentees in life but I appreciate any help-no matter how big or small definite or not. At least I'll have an answer one way or another! So again thank you. <3
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Inappropriate?angel junkie i'm having the same prob as u but i still dont know why i was banned can u please tell me the link u used 2 submit your ticket? it would mean a lot 2 me
I’m really confused
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Inappropriate?you can submit an email to inquiry@gaiaonline.com or go to the feedback form http://www.gaiaonline.com/contact/fee... go to the same place it could take a couple of weeks for someone to get back to you though and it may be with a pre-written general response
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Inappropriate?Jacob- Thanks, I mean I'm willing to give back the Katana I got for that account back. I worked too hard for all of it to go to waste. Memories&&friends on that account.
I’m Frustrated
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Inappropriate?Alright. I passed stuff on, hopefully it'll be resolved. I don't know what the policies are for cases that involve gold sellers. I know it tends to be pretty strict because of the economy impact. We'll have to wait and see.
I’m crossing fingers
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Inappropriate?thank you for your help, whatever the out come i appreciate the try. Also could you tell us why ppl would be logging into our banned accounts?
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Inappropriate?To the logging in, I'm pretty sure that's a bug. If you try and log in, and it says you've been blocked from the site, I think it still updates the "last login time" field.
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Inappropriate?Yeah, I found out whenever you attempt a log-in, it changes your log in date. Sorry I forgot to tell you angel.
I’m still depressed