Banned for gold trafficking

[nick5309]

Tried logging on after not having played for several weeks, and found my account was closed. Went on an alt account, filed a GM ticket, and they told me it was because of gold trafficking, but no further details were provided. Told me to post here, so here I am!

I think it was probably because of my second account, which I use as a dedicated auctioneer/disenchanter/group finder. I kept the my second account character in a main city, and used it to LFG while my main account character quested, etc. I would also trade between the two, sending gold back and forth, as well as items. I'm guessing this is why I was banned, but the GM said that's not against the rules as long as it's just for personal gameplay purposes.
So, that's my appeal, and I hope you overturn the ban. Thanks!

[Eligius]

Just so you know you just confessed to being guilty of multiboxing

VI. Multiboxing

Multiboxing refers to playing multiple characters simultaneously. This can either be achieved by using multiple machines to run the Game or by running multiple instances of the Game. The following rules are not meant to be exhaustive, and using multiple characters to level, farm reputation, run dungeons, do raids and/or engage in PVP is considered Multiboxing. Each case of Multiboxing will be judged individually and thoroughly. There are a few specific situations where you may have two characters in-game simultaneously, *only while both characters are in a major city*:

Transferring items between accounts;
Using professions, as long as no farming or material gathering is involved;
Crafting, enchanting, banking and/or for trading purposes that does not include the Auction House.
Portalling a second account only to and from major cities.
Playing simultaneously on both PvP and PvE realms. *Not restricted to major cities*

[nick5309]

Well, not exactly, since I said that I used my other account for precisely the part that is actually allowed in the quote you just posted, and the GM said it was okay.
I think the only part of that which I violated was using the AH, but a ban is a little harsh for that, no? It's not like it gave my main character any kind of significant advantage. More to the point, it can hardly be considered gold trafficking, which is what I was banned for.

Of course, there is the possibility that my account was compromised at some point in the last few weeks and someone was actually trafficking gold on my account, but hopefully by looking at the IP address logins (if they record that), it wouldn't make sense for me to be travelling back and forth from New York to China just to farm gold, eh?

[Eligius]

. I kept the my second account character in a main city, and used it to LFG while my main account character quested, etc

Thats multiboxing. Anyway, this is not what you were banned for..

Gold trafficking can be appealed I think, but if your accounts have been compromised, they are just gone forever, nothing you can do about it.

[nick5309]

Okay, well, since my password hasn't been changed, my feeling is that the account was not actually compromised. Furthermore, I have other friends who play the game and after talking to them they haven't seen me online since the last time I played. I was just pointing out the only, albeit unlikely, alternative I saw.
But it would be helpful if I could get some real information as to what happened. This has all been speculation, and it would be nice if a GM can provide some concrete details.

As for the multiboxing, let's suppose this goes well and it is agreed that I wasn't gold trafficking. Then I'd accept a penalty for multiboxing, but I think a permaban is incredibly harsh. The rules on multiboxing are fuzzy at best, and I barely violated them without actually harming anyone or creating a significant advantage for myself. A temp ban I would agree to, but a permaban is hardly justice.

[Benevael]

Greetings,

We don't ban people for a first offence of multiboxing - that results in a final warning. Then if they keep doing it, that is what results in a ban. And even then, the multiboxing needs to be confirmed by a GM. Also, the ban apparently was for Gold Trafficking anyway.

So lets deal with that problem.

What is the name of a character on the account? We'll take a look.

Regards, GM Team.

[nick5309]

Thanks Benevael! The character is McJenkies on the PvP server.

[Benevael]

The account associated with McJenkies on the PvP server was banned for gold trafficking. If you wish to appeal this ban, please provide information about any recent transactions that may have caused the ban.

If you did indeed buy gold, just let us know that as well, because a review would be sure to just result in a confirmation of this.

Regards, GM Team.

[nick5309]

I would like to appeal the ban, and no, I was not buying or selling gold. The only recent transactions that may have caused the ban would be the transfer of gold between my multibox accounts, as described above. I hope you record IP address logins, because this can be verified easily by looking at those.

[Cabotage]

This ban is under review and we will get back to you in this thread