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OK so I regularly buy XBOX Live points with my credit or debit card. Bought 5000 the other day. Shortly after that, someone made ten charges to my card, and each were purchases of Live points, that went to an account that had no name. The only reason I realized it quickly was because I kept getting the confirmation emails from Microsoft, saying I'd "gifted" points to somebody--the account that I myself could not pinpoint a name for. They'd also done this earlier in the month, only on my credit card that was set to expire, so I had not noticed (got my new one four days after the first purchases, changed the credit card info on my XBOX, and made the purchase. Ten minutes later, someone else made purchases, too). Total cost: over 500 dollars. I was on the phone with my bank and Microsoft and supposedly I'm getting all my money back. We'll see.

I'm bewildered as to how this could have happened. I have a DSL connection that is wired to my two computers, XBOX 360, and Wii. I doubt they got my credit card number through my computers, then went to my XBOX Live account, and used my card only for XBOX Live points, so I'm sure they must have obtained the information from my box itself. Is this possible? The whole thing smacks of an inside job, to me. My boyfriend said the same thing, and is using his connections in the gaming industry (he works for square enix) to fish around and see if this has happened to anyone else (also asking his Microsoft friends if employee's are f*cking with people).


The process also took away my Gold Membership status, which they've said they have restored. However, my account is now frozen for a MONTH (ARGH!!!!!) AND I have to cancel my credit card and get a new debit card!! WHAT A HASSLE.

I wish I could punch whoever did this right in the face. All I wanted to do was watch some freakin' Tim and Erics Awesome Show Great Job, not be a victim of fraud.

I guess I feel lousy because I'm usually so careful and this hasnt happened to me before, mostly because I usually refuse to use my cards for online purchasing. From now on, I have to buy XBOX Live points cards instead

That was strange, at least you're getting everything back.

Won't microsoft track the culprits down?

Hence why I don't use Credit Cards..

damn, that's terrible!

i'd suggest changing your passwords for your xbl account and other sensitive material. maybe you have an obvious password or something.

you're kinda making me a bit paranoid too now. i may just have to buy my points at retail now. :/

In theory M$ should be able to track whoever did this down to at least SOME degree. They can find out the gamertag that the points went to and shut down their account. I don't know if they can (or if they're even alowed?!) to get enough info from this to actually have some sort of action taken by the law... where's Jilly? I have a feeling she'd know

Well, the first person I spoke to, said "I have never heard of this happening." Yeah, she was kinda dumb. You would think that Microsoft could track down whoever did it, but they did not directly say this to me, and I dont know if they'll take further action. I suppose they considered it none of my business.

The passwords arent obvious, but maybe a switch IS in order.

OK update:

This is very serious business.

Apparantly I was hacked from the Windows Live account I use to sign into the system. Anyone who wants to get in, can simply bug Customers Service with a story about how they cant get into "their" account, and get the password, or the password changed. All they then have to do is camp out in your email inbox to find the info they need to then go in and make charges.

The only way you can prevent this fraud, in the end, is to simply not have a Windows Live account.

Changing your password only works for so long. You'd have to do it every day for it to really prevent anything.

Jesus.

Here is the Yahoo convo I had with my BF, who did his own digging:

a: I looked up the xbox theft stuff and it seems that it is a bigger issue then they customer support made it seem
a: I read a lot about people having the same issues I did
h: oh really? ha, those BASTARDS
h: pretending like it didnt happen
a: yeah I know
h: trying to keep customer faith
h: so lame
a: well I also found out that a lot of these passwords were stolen because customer service gave out the windows live password
h: !
a: they called up and gave some bullshit about how their little brother changed the info and they needed to get the password or change the password.
a: Little by little they were given enough info to hack the account and use it like their own
h: !
a: so really there is no way to protect against that
h: jesus christ
a: so make sure you dont have important info in the windows live account
h: in mine, you mean?
a: in anyones
h: should I be erasing all my emails and contacts and changing my information?
h: i'm alarmed
a: it doesnt really matter. All they need is your email address and they can bug cusotmer service enough to get the password changed or to get the password streight up
a: the only way to protect yourself is to not have a windows live account
h: !
h: Isnt Windows Live the MSN account you have to be able to chat...?
a: yep and the one you need to sign onto hotmail and the one you need to log into xbox live and pretty much everything that microsoft owns
h: omg
a: I changed my password but in the end if they want it bad enough they could get it again
h: so theres nothing i can do. if i want to prevent identity theft, in any way shape or form, I need to erase that account?
a: or petiton to have Microsoft protect your information better. I mean the best they will probably get is address and name. But if they have your password they can log into any of those accounts




I am just in shock right now. Now that I've given you guys this info, please dont be a little douchebag and go and use it against other people. Thats just disgusting and I hope that whoever does it will be caught up with.

If this is really something wide spread that MS is trying to hide then maybe you should try telling your story to Xbox 360 Fanboy, Joystiq, Kotaku, or anyone who will listen so that this gets out in the open.

holy crap.


i gotta cancel my existing card account then. just to be safe