Consequences of scamming / hacking accounts

[Kutos18]

after changing the account passwords of others.. if they report to blizzard / local police..would they be able to trace your IP and put you in jail?

unless you did a crime like steal his CC info then now police wont even get involved all they will do and get there account back and blizz will pretend they will investigate and never do it. been there done that honestly

[fishfool60]

Let me also add that in most states to be charged with theft it actually has to be a tangible item. I know here in Texas that is the case. You could make a case at your local PD but chances are they are not even going to file a report and laugh you out of the station. Also did you know that some TOR nodes are actually operated by governments all over the world? Do you really think the German government would protect your identity if US law enforcement call them up with a warrant.

Take this from someone who is very familiar with his state's penal code, as long as you don't give out REAL info then you will be fine.

[Login Error]

You can call it what you like, but its still "Theft". ie. You purposely deprived someone of their porperty.

Is it likely the Police will investigate? Not really. However: If the person who's account you stole wanted to persue the matter they could indeed make a private claim and approach blizzard for IP's etc etc. Obviously doing so requires money, and its unlikely that your average wow player will bother. However you could be unlucky and have scammed the acount of DA's son:P

The EULA states that all accounts, gold, and virtual property will always be property of Blizzard. Therefore, you're not stealing anything, since legally the account was never really the "owner's" property in the first place.

[Jackis]

lol, I dont believe that some1 can put me in jail for those reasions

[Death Lord]

Yeah, unless you do something that is illegal with the law and not blizzard they can't do anything to you.

[trancehax]

" So bro, what are you in here for? "

Me: I scammed a fking WoW account, get back son!

" omfg no wai srsly? I R scared! "

/everyone around you gasp and never looks you in the eye.

[Nanny]

Just wondering...I attempted my first COD scam today, I'm not sure if it worked or not. If I get reported, can I be permanently banned even for my first offense? My friend (who has done ridiculous amounts of scamming) said I couldn't, but I guess he just has been lucky because I'm reading that I could be banned for it. Please help?

[Orfz]

You're always welcome to 3rd world countries! No one gives a shit about what you've killed or stolen.

[Saridormi]

I'm fairly sure you can't be thrown in prison for stealing a WoW account, seeing as no-one owns it anyway ^^

[Fersure]

I dont think you can be thrown in jail, Because Blizzard says 'Dont share your account information' So it's basically their fault for sharing their information.

[Nanny]

I got a question. I scammed some kid from my school because I found out his password. He told Blizz he doesn't know who took it but he wants his gold back, so they said they'll get it for him. What are the chances of me getting caught? I was naive and didn't use an alt toon or anything like that but I traded all of it and basically left no logs (unless they went in to trace all of the trades?). Will I get caught?

[SweatyBawls]

awesome! (filler)

[skero]

Wrong.

Normally I would not be so brash, but you are stating this as if you know for certain.

All accounts are full property of Blizzard.

Yes, stealing property is considered theft, but an account is not your property in any way, shape, or form.

You can't steal something that does not belong to someone in the first place.

Nothing can be done to you if you steal a WoW account. Nothing.

Now, there are certain things that have to do with stealing WoW accounts that can have potential legal problems.

If you sell an account, and it gets recalled, and you already spent the money...Paypal and/or your CC company may call you and harass you until you pay back the money you owe.

Also, technically, all impersonation of Blizzard is illegal. Meaning, phishing is illegal. The chances of you being caught or prosecuted for that, though, are incredibly slim.

You do not break any laws just by offering to trade an account with someone and then blocking them after they change the account's email to your email address.

thats all ..

[TamsuO]

In addition to Verye, it's not even property of the "original owners".

And what do you mean by "all impersonation of Blizzard is illegal", i haven't read law too much, but atleast no lawbooks of Finland say nothing 'bout that one there, i might be in luvky position here.

[TamsuO]

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, you acknowledge and agree that you shall have no ownership or other property interest in the Account, and you further acknowledge and agree that all rights in and to the Account are and shall forever be owned by and inure to the benefit of Blizzard.

Took it from lawyer dudes post, true every word he said. :P