Players Beware

KillingUGirl · December 2016

Of course we all know this and we need to be very careful of in game dealings but our guild was just scammed by a group of players in game offering to help. Long story short they basically took everything we had. I know all of you will say it's our fault for trusting people in game but it's a sad world when you can't trust people and it's sad when you can't play a game like this and enjoy it because of mean people like this. What's even sadder still is the fact that there is nothing that can be done. Of course forum rules and zenimax protect crooks like this and we can't name names and publically call them out so others can be warned, so they know there is nothing we can do about and will continue to prey upon and exploit people. So just beware and learn from the huge mistake we made I wish I could tell you who it is so you could stay away so this doesn't happen to you but like I said the rules protect the crooks. What's worse is most people you can pick up on the fact that they are pulling a fast one but with these people they must have zero conscience because they are very convincing. They are offering to help you out, craft your players stuff etc. they are also advertising crafting services in chat. I wish there was a way players like this could be banned I've spent a lot of real money in the game and now I don't even feel like playing anymore I lost everything I had worked for I'm really not sure how people can be this mean and just seem like normal people, especially when our people are so giving, that's what's sad is that our players are probably the most giving players in the game constantly helping others and giving people stuff and stuff like this has to happen to them. Be careful out there there aren't too many players you can actually trust.

exeeter702 · December 2016

Epic story doode

MaxwellC · December 2016

@KillingUGirl
File a report and state the times, sometimes the staff can replace your items you lost just tell them the date/time it occurred. It sucks and I don't know how people can do that kind of thing but that'll be the best option to do right now. I know this because we had a guild master (acting master) steal 10m gold then leave the guild while the other original guild master had to finish her college classes.

KICHZY · December 2016

This is why I run solo in MMO's.

starkerealm · December 2016

Every time I see a thread like this, I'm reminded of a certain post on Reddit.

Those rules are in place for a very good reason. Having been the victim of bank theft in the past, in another MMO, I can sympathize. Actually, come to think of it, one of my guilds actually kicked a bank thief the other day. But, still... those rules do serve a purpose. To prevent people from starting witch hunts in retribution over acts that were, in fact, completely inoffensive.

I remember, the other day in... I think Stormhaven, someone was going off, seriously going off in zone at other players for, "marking their kills." I think we can all understand that's a newbie, since ESO's marking mechanics are non-exclusive. But... would you really want them to have the authority to stagger on here and accuse the other player of being a bank thief, cheater, or whatever?

I mean, look at what other (former) members of our community tried to do to @LegendaryMage, "for the lulz."

I'm sympathetic, but the rules are there for a reason.

Rohamad_Ali · December 2016

Sorry you were robbed . Nothing is worse then being betrayed except being betrayed during the Holidays .

starkerealm · December 2016

KICHZY wrote: »

This is why I run solo in MMO's.

Honestly, if you have the right approach, bank thieves aren't that much of a problem. Don't view stuff in the guild bank as yours, or belonging to you. If it's something you're attached to, it shouldn't be there in the first place.

If you do want to store decent stuff in there, manage your bank permissions so that authorized members of the guild are the only ones with access. This is especially true if you're running a trading guild, and you need gold in the guild bank to bid on kiosks.

We had a guy make off with some random trash items, maybe a couple k in gold, and some motif pages. I'm not sweating it. "Oh no, he stole a Dwemer Daggers page, oh how will I live with the shame."

I get that, if you don't have any prior experience, or if you've been sticking stuff in there that's actually valuable, "to help the guild," it's a blow. But, you can learn from it, come back. The guild bank is, primarily for trash that other people might find some use with. If you've got something valuable you think might be useful to another guild member, keep it and talk to them, see if anyone needs it.

EDIT: Of course, saying that, I'm now thinking about tossing some purple 160 jewelry in there for sets I'll never use. But, hey.

KillingUGirl · December 2016

Thanks for all the comments I appreciate it. It's just a game and it's just stuff but sometimes I'm just shocked at how awful other people can be lol. Oh well. What worse though is now I feel like I can't even be in game because they are there. Like my violators are there laughing at me and I just want to hide or soemthing. It stinks because I really like the game and. Generally really like people and socializing with them. It just makes me sad that's all. Thanks again for all the words.

starkerealm · December 2016

If they're literally there taunting you... as in actually sending you messages and tells, report them for harassment, and block them. That is why the report function exists.

Best advice though is to say you won't let them take something you enjoy from you. I know it sucks, but, simply refusing to let them take you down a notch can go a long way towards recovering.

Also, learn from what happened, to help make sure it can't occur again in the future. A big thing with guild banks is to lock withdraw privileges to officers, with the understanding that they can get stuff to hand over to members who need it.

Arkangeloski · December 2016

KillingUGirl wrote: »

Of course we all know this and we need to be very careful of in game dealings but our guild was just scammed by a group of players in game offering to help. Long story short they basically took everything we had. I know all of you will say it's our fault for trusting people in game but it's a sad world when you can't trust people and it's sad when you can't play a game like this and enjoy it because of mean people like this. What's even sadder still is the fact that there is nothing that can be done. Of course forum rules and zenimax protect crooks like this and we can't name names and publically call them out so others can be warned, so they know there is nothing we can do about and will continue to prey upon and exploit people. So just beware and learn from the huge mistake we made I wish I could tell you who it is so you could stay away so this doesn't happen to you but like I said the rules protect the crooks. What's worse is most people you can pick up on the fact that they are pulling a fast one but with these people they must have zero conscience because they are very convincing. They are offering to help you out, craft your players stuff etc. they are also advertising crafting services in chat. I wish there was a way players like this could be banned I've spent a lot of real money in the game and now I don't even feel like playing anymore I lost everything I had worked for I'm really not sure how people can be this mean and just seem like normal people, especially when our people are so giving, that's what's sad is that our players are probably the most giving players in the game constantly helping others and giving people stuff and stuff like this has to happen to them. Be careful out there there aren't too many players you can actually trust.

Im on xbox na server my gamer tag is Arkangeloski. Im a master crafter just tell me what you need ill put my own mats and even upgrade your stuff to purple and make purple enchants 4 u Free of charge, add me if u are on xbox. Merry Christmas.

runagate · December 2016

Arkangeloski wrote: »

KillingUGirl wrote: »

Of course we all know this and we need to be very careful of in game dealings but our guild was just scammed by a group of players in game offering to help. Long story short they basically took everything we had. I know all of you will say it's our fault for trusting people in game but it's a sad world when you can't trust people and it's sad when you can't play a game like this and enjoy it because of mean people like this. What's even sadder still is the fact that there is nothing that can be done. Of course forum rules and zenimax protect crooks like this and we can't name names and publically call them out so others can be warned, so they know there is nothing we can do about and will continue to prey upon and exploit people. So just beware and learn from the huge mistake we made I wish I could tell you who it is so you could stay away so this doesn't happen to you but like I said the rules protect the crooks. What's worse is most people you can pick up on the fact that they are pulling a fast one but with these people they must have zero conscience because they are very convincing. They are offering to help you out, craft your players stuff etc. they are also advertising crafting services in chat. I wish there was a way players like this could be banned I've spent a lot of real money in the game and now I don't even feel like playing anymore I lost everything I had worked for I'm really not sure how people can be this mean and just seem like normal people, especially when our people are so giving, that's what's sad is that our players are probably the most giving players in the game constantly helping others and giving people stuff and stuff like this has to happen to them. Be careful out there there aren't too many players you can actually trust.

Im on xbox na server my gamer tag is Arkangeloski. Im a master crafter just tell me what you need ill put my own mats and even upgrade your stuff to purple and make purple enchants 4 u Free of charge, add me if u are on xbox. Merry Christmas.

As will I if you're PC/NA. My forum name is my @ name.

LegendaryMage · December 2016

starkerealm wrote: »

Every time I see a thread like this, I'm reminded of a certain post on Reddit.

Those rules are in place for a very good reason. Having been the victim of bank theft in the past, in another MMO, I can sympathize. Actually, come to think of it, one of my guilds actually kicked a bank thief the other day. But, still... those rules do serve a purpose. To prevent people from starting witch hunts in retribution over acts that were, in fact, completely inoffensive.

I remember, the other day in... I think Stormhaven, someone was going off, seriously going off in zone at other players for, "marking their kills." I think we can all understand that's a newbie, since ESO's marking mechanics are non-exclusive. But... would you really want them to have the authority to stagger on here and accuse the other player of being a bank thief, cheater, or whatever?

I mean, look at what other (former) members of our community tried to do to @LegendaryMage, "for the lulz."

I'm sympathetic, but the rules are there for a reason.

Alright, I'll give my little input about online harassment in eso particularly, and how to deal with it, with a little back story behind it.

Yeah, what @starkerealm linked, this was done as a last resort attempt to get me banned after everything in-game failed. They've been rallying together and going around mass-reporting me for all kinds of made up crap (even terrorism and wishing terrorist attacks on players back when that stuff in Paris happened). So what you see publicly is more like 1%-5% of everything that happened during the last year and a half or so. And people would be surprised if I was allowed to throw out names publicly and call out some of the 'well known PVPers' that are actually straight up psychos.

A lot more people were involved, just a few got banned really (all 3 were officers in my guild and at some point in the past, very close to me) and now they're also back on other accounts playing like nothing happened. Which I don't mind, as long as they don't cause more drama and crap.

There are players in this game. Many players. That harass, sabotage, spread rumors, lie and do everything in their power to do any type of damage possible to you and your name, and when all else fails, usually the 'let's get him banned' witch hunt starts.

Hell, they even went out to someone like @Sypher to try and use his popularity and credibility to get more eyeballs on their stories. I had to go reach out to him as well and explain that it's all crap and none of it is true, it's just kids and young adults begging for attention that they didn't get enough at home. But it's much more than that of course, it's straight up sinister.

I would say this. Having been on the receiving end of probably more harassment attempts than anyone that I know of in this game, you have to put all those people on ignore and not waste any time with any of them. I broke it down to 3 circles of people/players from my experience and I deal with each in my own appropriate way, based on real experience.

3rd is the 'bystanders' that usually don't really have a clue what's going on. 2nd is the bad type of people that may or may not know a lot, but proceed to hunt and accuse anyway (usually these are some semi-regular and regular pvpers that think they've got molag by his bal's now that they're having a little success in the game and now they're self proclaimed authorities on everything eso related, especially other pvpers, cough - was just arguing with one of these yesterday on the forums here - cough), and the first and the worst is people that are straight up psychos and will do anything to try and harm you (like the ones that get perma retired).

Generally you can deal with this in two ways. I personally deal with bullies by fighting them, even if it's the whole world. That's just my attitude, I actually enjoy having my little wars with them, it makes the game interesting (until they start doing some more serious stuff and then the web gets tangled and I have to pull out because at that point it's not just game stuff anymore, stuff escalates a lot). But the best way to deal with this is to not be around them, at all. Use the ignore option, report harassment and don't worry about it. Distance yourself from all that crap and for the most part of it, you should be fine. Or be stubborn like me and fight it, which I don't recommend, and I only do when I'm bored and got nothing better to do at that particular time.

Oh, as for that particular article. People have been asking me why I didn't show up there to 'officially' accept the apology. I did accept it at first but then I changed my mind having considered that it's really just a crappy attempt to get an account re-instated, and there's no real apologies being made, hell, even the text itself wasn't written by that guy, but by someone who used to stalk me in the game ironically. It can always get worse, trust me guys. Just distance yourself from it, it's better that way.

KillingUGirl · December 2016

Thanks again for all the help and the kind offers

. I really appreciates it all!!! @runagate and @Arkangeloski thank you, maybe someday I'll take you up on your offers, I will pay of course though. @starkerealm You are right I just need to move one, In the end I feel like if they needed the stuff that bad then let's consider it a gift lol, life will go on. @LegendaryMage thank you for all the info it helps and all the rest Thanks so much again you all are renewing my faith.

XDragonDoomX · December 2016

@KillingUGirl

If you're on PC-EU, let me know if there's any gear/mats I can help with - forum/@gamename both the same.

EnviousStruggle · December 2016

you cant name and shame here
but you can name and shame in zone chats

so why you created this topic
its pointless without names lol

Skcarkden · December 2016

Rules are there for a reason, there are plenty of people who know a player by AccountNameOne, know them for ages, then one day they meet someone named AccountNameTwo, somehow they get mistaken and think it's the one and same person, but AccountNameTwo does something to them and then they tell everyone "AccountNameOne robbed me, spread the word!"

I've been a victim in two MMO's already like that, Runescape, a friend somehow thinks i stole their Santa Hat when they died, even though the person in question was a completely different name.

Champions Online, a guy i've never met, somehow was being harassed by some troll, and although the guy took many many many screenshots as 'evidence' of what *I* supposedly did. The screenshots show a clear cut story that the guy being harassed is an idiot. The account name is something entirely different, but in the comments section of their screenshots they write my name explaining what i did. I point out the name difference they say "you're not fooling me". Guy put me on ignore even though i was innocent, any time someone mentioned my name in zone chat he warned them about me.

Rules are there for a reason because people can be idiots or petty liars.

Witch hunts solve nothing, using the report button, and not being too trusting is enough, anything else is a liability.

imredneckson · December 2016

MaxwellCrystal wrote: »

@KillingUGirl
File a report and state the times, sometimes the staff can replace your items you lost just tell them the date/time it occurred. It sucks and I don't know how people can do that kind of thing but that'll be the best option to do right now. I know this because we had a guild master (acting master) steal 10m gold then leave the guild while the other original guild master had to finish her college classes.

They won't help. The last time I asked ZOS for help about our guild getting robbed they said sorry can't help and we won't tell you if we have looked for the guy yet or if we have/will do anything to him. In the end the guy got off with all our stuff and ZOS did nothing.

starkerealm · December 2016

Skcarkden wrote: »

Champions Online, a guy i've never met, somehow was being harassed by some troll, and although the guy took many many many screenshots as 'evidence' of what *I* supposedly did. The screenshots show a clear cut story that the guy being harassed is an idiot. The account name is something entirely different, but in the comments section of their screenshots they write my name explaining what i did. I point out the name difference they say "you're not fooling me". Guy put me on ignore even though i was innocent, any time someone mentioned my name in zone chat he warned them about me.

Waitasecond, I know you! You're that guy who's not that other guy, with the similar name.

Though, joking aside, I do remember that. I actually almost used you as an example earlier in the thread.

There was a guy on the same chat server (in STO) that did something even more deranged though. He rolled up a character using one of the developers' given name. (They actually shared a first name.) And would try to impersonate him in chat... Say what you want about them, but Cryptic manages to attract a superior tier of crazy.

DannyLV702 · December 2016

You can't trust almost anybody, even friends sometimes. There is one single person that I completely trust in this game now. I once loaned a "friend" 175k gold to buy a lich shoulder, and he would entertain me on how he was close to paying it back. Soon he just unfriended me and I never heard from him again. It's just a game, but the fact that I take my real life morals into this game, tells me that others do as well. So if he did that to me I wonder what his morals in the real world are. It shocks me how people lack empathy for others in your case, OP. I hope you somehow manage to get your stuff back.

geonsocal · December 2016

KillingUGirl wrote: »

Of course we all know this and we need to be very careful of in game dealings but our guild was just scammed by a group of players in game offering to help. Long story short they basically took everything we had. I know all of you will say it's our fault for trusting people in game but it's a sad world when you can't trust people and it's sad when you can't play a game like this and enjoy it because of mean people like this. What's even sadder still is the fact that there is nothing that can be done. Of course forum rules and zenimax protect crooks like this and we can't name names and publically call them out so others can be warned, so they know there is nothing we can do about and will continue to prey upon and exploit people. So just beware and learn from the huge mistake we made I wish I could tell you who it is so you could stay away so this doesn't happen to you but like I said the rules protect the crooks. What's worse is most people you can pick up on the fact that they are pulling a fast one but with these people they must have zero conscience because they are very convincing. They are offering to help you out, craft your players stuff etc. they are also advertising crafting services in chat. I wish there was a way players like this could be banned I've spent a lot of real money in the game and now I don't even feel like playing anymore I lost everything I had worked for I'm really not sure how people can be this mean and just seem like normal people, especially when our people are so giving, that's what's sad is that our players are probably the most giving players in the game constantly helping others and giving people stuff and stuff like this has to happen to them. Be careful out there there aren't too many players you can actually trust.

what happened exactly (with out the names), if possible, paragraphs please - i know story structure can be a little tough, when you're fired up...

hopefully if you share your story/details - it can help prevent something similar happening to someone else...

starkerealm · December 2016

LegendaryMage wrote: »

I personally deal with bullies by fighting them, even if it's the whole world.

I knew there was a reason I liked you.

ArchMikem · December 2016

Lemme guess, they cleaned out your Guild Bank?

Gotta be strict on those permissions or else you're just asking for this.

Xenophis · December 2016

Sorry for your loss, but at least this isn't EVE where Corp espionage, thieving and backstabbing is actually part of the game and very much allowed by the devs.

helediron · December 2016

As a crafter i wish there were a title or reputation to show. I occasionally get requests to craft on set stations. When it's time to hand over the mats, there is the question "how can i trust you?". And there is nothing i can do. There is not even nine-traits-on-all title. There is nothing to distinguish a good crafter from imposter.

stewhead2ub17_ESO · December 2016

KillingUGirl wrote: »

Thanks for all the comments I appreciate it. It's just a game and it's just stuff but sometimes I'm just shocked at how awful other people can be lol. Oh well. What worse though is now I feel like I can't even be in game because they are there. Like my violators are there laughing at me and I just want to hide or soemthing. It stinks because I really like the game and. Generally really like people and socializing with them. It just makes me sad that's all. Thanks again for all the words.

Sorry this happened as I hate thieves. But consider it an expensive life lesson.

RavenSworn · December 2016

I hate this happened to me as well, with the same guild i set up right after launch. It was my own fault since i was away for more than 4 mths due to RL scheduling but never did expect someone who i thought was ok in the first place would take all the stuff.

My advise would be: Use the GB as a spare place to put stuff in. like you're never gonna use it and would definitely give it away. Ive had this guild up back again and running and so far its been a breeze. i do know that the bank would be cleaned out some time or another but at least i know it was my junk.

Another man's junk is another man's treasure.

Nerouyn · December 2016

DannyLV702 wrote: »

It shocks me how people lack empathy for others in your case, OP.

Maybe the OP got ripped off. Maybe they didn't. Sometimes people make *** up.

Like poor, sweet Michelle Carter who talked her boyfriend into killing himself so she could milk everyone for sympathy and gain a bit of a fame as a girlfriend of someone who committed suicide.

Sadly that's not a theory. That's a fact. Reading her texts - many are available online in various articles - will horrify you.

GreenhaloX · December 2016

Darn shame. Yes, if in a group or guild, we're practically playing with strangers; people with all different backgrounds. Many may not be good citizens or boy/scouts. Nothing really you can do when crap like this happens. It is a game, so think of it as that. Yes, it still hurt feeling betrayed, but it is just in-game stuff. You're not losing real things. Contents and gold can be made back in time. Learn from the mistake. As a GM of a guild, you shouldn't give free access to the guild bank to anybody, guild officer or not, and keep track on who is and how many items are being withdrawn. Red flag is always a member withdrawing many items at a time and rarely depositing items.

KillingUGirl · December 2016

what happened exactly (with out the names), if possible, paragraphs please - i know story structure can be a little tough, when you're fired up...

hopefully if you share your story/details - it can help prevent something similar happening to someone else...[/quote]

Sorry not very good at reliving the details but basically we have a smal, (40 member) guild ranging from lvl25 to cp524. I have been very strict as only three of us have access to the bank. We had quite a little Stash saved up of mostly crafting materials and quite a few high end temps, mats etc. There are a lot of sincere people in the guild looking just for a place to have fun and learn, grow, be a community etc. and we really go out of our way to help others. I wanted to do something really nice for them so I found a guy who was supposedly a reputable player and his friends that also supposedly were helping a lot of people out, he seemed like a good fit. I wanted to build a good guild that took care of our people so I wanted to surprise some struggling members with some really nice armor so he agreed to be our crafter, craft sets for members as we needed and I would take care of him with mats and gold etc. I wanted it to be like Christmas lol. During the process I also noticed that he was in zone chat advertising, and then would bring a lot players into his Xbox voice group and give the appearance of helping them out with really good deals on getting stuff made and he seemed like he and a couple others were very helpful. I realized later they were running a scam on all these people and ripping them off by taking their Gold. I stupidly gave him access to the bank instead of just pulling the mats out myself, he cleaned up the bank and organized it, I told him the sets we would need and he said he would get right ot it. Later on while playing all of sudden he left the guild and I was kicked from their Xbox group. My stomach sank and I checked the bank and it was all gone.

Please don't flame lol I realize This was totally my fault and usually I'm very cautious but here I just let the excitement of getting armor for a few of my guild memebrs, and the hopes of building a nice guild that helped others, and my laziness override my commen sense lol. It was a lesson learned for sure.

The stuff doesn't really matter to me it's just stuff we can work hard and get it back. For me without sounding to overly dramatic and draining, I just feel very violated and like I stated I am having a hard time being in game because I'm afraid I will run into them. It also feels like he is representative of most people in the game although I know this is not the case. I want to be fight back like @LegendaryMage, but also I want to just hide because I feel like it's a bad environment now,. Maybe I'll change my name and move to bhetnik lol!! I guess maybe I'm a bit too sensitive because Im a girl and not as tough as you guys lol! But I am always shocked at mean people I guess I take it too personally. Afterwards I sent him a message saying please tell me you didn't rip us off and he sent back of course I did with smileys and thumbs ups and money emoticons. He is pretty sadistic and has sent me very cruel messages, I kept him as a friend on Xbox because I wanted the proof of our convos and what he was saying to maybe get him busted. He is in various zone chats and especially in Alik'r desert advertising crafting services. He seems very genuine and sincere so be very careful.

Bottom line is This scenario could have easliy been avoided, I was just stupid and had a momentary lack of commen sense and it was totally my fault. A huge noob mistake. I apologize for bringing this into the forums to vent. Initially I thought maybe I could help warn others about him since I know they are ripping a lot of people off. But I realized I can't really point him and the others out so my post, so like I said, this became more of a rant than a beneficial help to others.

Lessons learned, be smart and diligent in who you trust. Be very wary, wise and cautious when dealing with others. I should have just paid cod to some crafter to make the items and it would have worked out better. There are simple steps you can take to protect yourself I just forgot those. Sorry @geonsocal this probably isn't as detailed and structured as you were asking for, I'm still fired up, but hopefully people can ultimately learn from my mistake. Thanks again everyone I appreciate your wisdom and kind offers and I apologize for my rantings. Merry Christmas everyone!! I hope you all have a good one!!

ZOS_DaryaK · December 2016

@KillingUGirl, I've sent you a PM.

Stopnaggin · December 2016

KillingUGirl wrote: »

Thanks for all the comments I appreciate it. It's just a game and it's just stuff but sometimes I'm just shocked at how awful other people can be lol. Oh well. What worse though is now I feel like I can't even be in game because they are there. Like my violators are there laughing at me and I just want to hide or soemthing. It stinks because I really like the game and. Generally really like people and socializing with them. It just makes me sad that's all. Thanks again for all the words.

Don't let wm beat you, get back on there and keep your head up lie you got a nose bleed. What platform and location are you. Like others have said report them and if the harassment is there block them.