It started when I was selling letters on November opening day and found some of my letters were mysteriously missing. I reported it to a mod and then minutes later found my account banned. I received no e-mail at the time and had to create a new account to ask a mod who later replied that my account was banned for botting.
This greatly surprised me as I hardly even know anything about botting. After finding out what it meant, I knew there was no way I could've done anything to auto-refresh the site on my account so I knew there had to be some mistake.
A couple of friends have told me that it's possible I could've accidentally received botted gold and that it's appealable. They then told me to submit a feedback form which I did. Here's what I wrote them...
Quote:
"Hello,
I've recently had my account 'MethidMan' banned without being notified for the reason. I received no e-mail except for an automated 'ticket'. I created this new account and sent a PM to a moderator (PiercedPrincess) and she had told me that the account was banned for botting.
After checking what this meant, I'm sure I have not done anything that would create an auto-refreshing scenario like that, so I'm sure there must be some kind of mistake.
A friend told me it's possible that you can be banned for botting if you are given gold created by a bot, I can only think this may be a possible explanation for what happened. I still feel very unsure of what happened, but I'm certain I have done nothing against Gaia's ToS like this.
Please help me resolve this matter, my Gaia account means a lot to me.
Thank you."
I've recently had my account 'MethidMan' banned without being notified for the reason. I received no e-mail except for an automated 'ticket'. I created this new account and sent a PM to a moderator (PiercedPrincess) and she had told me that the account was banned for botting.
After checking what this meant, I'm sure I have not done anything that would create an auto-refreshing scenario like that, so I'm sure there must be some kind of mistake.
A friend told me it's possible that you can be banned for botting if you are given gold created by a bot, I can only think this may be a possible explanation for what happened. I still feel very unsure of what happened, but I'm certain I have done nothing against Gaia's ToS like this.
Please help me resolve this matter, my Gaia account means a lot to me.
Thank you."
It took a month for me to finally get a response, but this was all I got in my e-mail...
Quote:
"[Gaia Ticket #21567] [Activation Problem] Activation Problem Report From MethidManTMA
Your account was banned for botting or profiting from botting, which is a
violation of the Gaia Terms of Service.
"Botting" is defined as using an automated script, macro, program, or other
means to surf or post on Gaia in order to earn gold illegally. The use of
any software that automatically earns gold for you is forbidden, and
accounts found to be using such software will be banned.
Profiting from the efforts of botters is also forbidden, and accounts found
to be receiving botted gold or items are banned as well.
Thanks for writing.
Muscular Baby
Gaia Online Member Services
(NOTE: Please be sure to keep all previous correspondence within your reply.
If you remove any details we have no way of properly handling your issue!)"
Your account was banned for botting or profiting from botting, which is a
violation of the Gaia Terms of Service.
"Botting" is defined as using an automated script, macro, program, or other
means to surf or post on Gaia in order to earn gold illegally. The use of
any software that automatically earns gold for you is forbidden, and
accounts found to be using such software will be banned.
Profiting from the efforts of botters is also forbidden, and accounts found
to be receiving botted gold or items are banned as well.
Thanks for writing.
Muscular Baby
Gaia Online Member Services
(NOTE: Please be sure to keep all previous correspondence within your reply.
If you remove any details we have no way of properly handling your issue!)"
All they could give me was a template response describing the rule of no botting... I posted a thread in Q&A hoping that I could get some answers on how I could get my account back. One of the admins, Noraboo, actually replied, only to clarify a misleading clause about profiting from botting...
Noraboo
"What it means is that accounts that are connected to botting accounts (such as a mule account) or accounts that knowingly profit from botting (such as users who purchase gold from accounts who bot the gold to sell it for real money) are banned. If you purchase an item at a normal price in the vend or via a trade, or receive a donation, then this would not be construed as profiting, and your account would not be eligible for a ban. The clause is simply there to address cases where users use mule accounts to bot or purchase gold illegally from gold sellers."
Again, not much help there... And what she described didn't even sound like my case... The only trading activity I ever did in the past year was with my mules and with a friend whom I've trusted for years. Even if I did receive botted gold, how would I have known about it? I never associated myself with any shady traders.
I'm trying to have this investigated as I'm sure there must be some mistake, but judging by the response to my feedback form, it's like they don't even want to bother with me.
That's why I'm posting this up here. I'm still determined to get back what took me 3 years to establish. All I'm requesting is an effective strategy to get my account back and I want to make sure I do all the right steps.
Where can I start?
