In the last four weeks, since Christmas in fact, there have been a number of new scams designed to rob you of your account. Sadly for many people, the lures that they offer have proved too much. Accounts have been lost.
The latest scam invites you to join a bogus "Beta" test for Cataclysm. Of course, to do this you need to hand over your account name and password. Ooops - too late. They have your details, and your account. Within minutes your bags and banks looted. If you are a high level character, the chances are that your account will be sold on as well.
There are now several sites looking just like the official Warcraft Armory. (Check the URL). They send you an email. The tag says Warcraft Armory, so you click it. It looks exactly like the armory on site. You sign up for some bogus "special offer" (often a pet or mount). And again, they have your account.
So what should you do if the worst happens?
Initially, go straight to the Warcraft site and use the password retrieval form to get your password back. If you are quick enough you may be able to so this. Be warned, the scammers are quick, and often use the new "authenticator" to secure the account to them. If they do this you have probably lost the account.
If you get past this, change your account password straight away. Something with upper and lower case characters, mix in a few numbers and perhaps a few special characters as well. Phew.
If you think you have been targeted by a new form of scam, get on the websites and broadcast the details. Let others know about it. Many will thank you for it later.
Get in touch with Blizzard. E-mail Blizzard technical support ASAP. You will have a step advantage when it comes to proving the account is actually yours.
As a last resort, consider getting an authenticator yourself. There are (as yet) no known scams that get past this system. Check out Blizzards website for details.
Don't forget your guild mates. As you read this the hacker is at your guild bank emptying it into his backpack. Ruining your reputation with your guild - so go to your guild forum and get an e-mail address of a guild mate. Ask someone else you know to post on chat on your server. Anything. Let your guild mates know, otherwise they may well assume you have stolen from the guild bank, and you may not be welcome back.
I hope this doesn't happen to you. If it has, follow these steps and get your account back, secure your guild, and then add the security you need.
Take Care. - 30432
The latest scam invites you to join a bogus "Beta" test for Cataclysm. Of course, to do this you need to hand over your account name and password. Ooops - too late. They have your details, and your account. Within minutes your bags and banks looted. If you are a high level character, the chances are that your account will be sold on as well.
There are now several sites looking just like the official Warcraft Armory. (Check the URL). They send you an email. The tag says Warcraft Armory, so you click it. It looks exactly like the armory on site. You sign up for some bogus "special offer" (often a pet or mount). And again, they have your account.
So what should you do if the worst happens?
Initially, go straight to the Warcraft site and use the password retrieval form to get your password back. If you are quick enough you may be able to so this. Be warned, the scammers are quick, and often use the new "authenticator" to secure the account to them. If they do this you have probably lost the account.
If you get past this, change your account password straight away. Something with upper and lower case characters, mix in a few numbers and perhaps a few special characters as well. Phew.
If you think you have been targeted by a new form of scam, get on the websites and broadcast the details. Let others know about it. Many will thank you for it later.
Get in touch with Blizzard. E-mail Blizzard technical support ASAP. You will have a step advantage when it comes to proving the account is actually yours.
As a last resort, consider getting an authenticator yourself. There are (as yet) no known scams that get past this system. Check out Blizzards website for details.
Don't forget your guild mates. As you read this the hacker is at your guild bank emptying it into his backpack. Ruining your reputation with your guild - so go to your guild forum and get an e-mail address of a guild mate. Ask someone else you know to post on chat on your server. Anything. Let your guild mates know, otherwise they may well assume you have stolen from the guild bank, and you may not be welcome back.
I hope this doesn't happen to you. If it has, follow these steps and get your account back, secure your guild, and then add the security you need.
Take Care. - 30432
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