Old Account Recovery - Deleted?

MeinChurro · January 2020

I have been trying to recover - or at the very least find - my original account from BETA. This account should be the same name, and it should be associated with the same email used for this forum account. As you can see, this forum account is proof of having an account from that date. I main a second account I created on the 1st of 2016. I'd love to recover my original beta account, but it seems they deleted it. As in, there is apparently no account associated with the email, but I have remnants of the account within that very same email. I have literally no clue what could have happened to it!

To give some context on why I abandoned that old account, I had purchased a key from G2A (yes stupid) a long time ago, I think this was a stolen or counterfeit key, I then purchased my second account directly from the ESO website back in 2016. For more details, I think this key I used was stolen, because my account seemed to be bugged, I had activated that G2A key on the website, but apparently it was a steam key - meaning there was no way to purchase crowns, or membership at the time. I had done a google search at the time, and apparently others had the same issue. I'd love to have my account back - even if I would have to buy the game again - but I don't know what happened to it!

idk · January 2020

@ZOS_BillE might be able to answer that question for you.

However, Zos probably had no reason to keep accounts tied to Alpha and Beta testing that never made it to the live game servers since nothing was paid and nothing was really tied to them outside of maybe a pet. So it would make sense Zos had purged them after a point as they were just dead weight.

Hopefully I am wrong and BillE can help you out.

MeinChurro · January 2020

Could the account still exist and someone changed the email associated with it? As in, could someone have stolen it? If that's the case then I literally have no idea how I woul

idk wrote: »

@ZOS_BillE might be able to answer that question for you.

However, Zos probably had no reason to keep accounts tied to Alpha and Beta testing that never made it to the live game servers since nothing was paid and nothing was really tied to them outside of maybe a pet. So it would make sense Zos had purged them after a point as they were just dead weight.

Hopefully I am wrong and BillE can help you out.

Well. I did play that account in 2015. On my current main account - not associated with this email - I literally just remade the same characters I had before. I still remember my vampire and monkey!

I have noticed that, you can actually change the account email in the account settings "edit info", could someone have potentially stolen my old account and changed the details? If that is the case I don't know how I would ever get that account back. I think the account was still active, or tied to my email as late as 2017 since I have a Morrowind beta invitation.

idk · January 2020

First, I cannot answer the question about if it still exists or not as I do not work for Zos. And yes, someone could have hacked your account (which means they had to hack your email as well) but that is pure speculation. Again, something for BillE to help with.

The additional information you added with the second post will likely be helpful for BillE. It would be very different actually buying the game (or even playing during a trial) and creating characters than an account that only existed in beta.

Good luck.

KMarble · January 2020

MeinChurro wrote: »

I have been trying to recover - or at the very least find - my original account from BETA. This account should be the same name, and it should be associated with the same email used for this forum account. As you can see, this forum account is proof of having an account from that date. I main a second account I created on the 1st of 2016. I'd love to recover my original beta account, but it seems they deleted it. As in, there is apparently no account associated with the email, but I have remnants of the account within that very same email. I have literally no clue what could have happened to it!

To give some context on why I abandoned that old account, I had purchased a key from G2A (yes stupid) a long time ago, I think this was a stolen or counterfeit key, I then purchased my second account directly from the ESO website back in 2016. For more details, I think this key I used was stolen, because my account seemed to be bugged, I had activated that G2A key on the website, but apparently it was a steam key - meaning there was no way to purchase crowns, or membership at the time. I had done a google search at the time, and apparently others had the same issue. I'd love to have my account back - even if I would have to buy the game again - but I don't know what happened to it!

Emphasis mine. This isn't clear to me. Are you saying that your first account was set up with a stolen/counterfeit key? If that's the case, I can see why you cannot recover that account.

Elsonso · January 2020

Interesting tweet surfaced today that makes me think that ZOS has removed some of the very old unused accounts from launch and the free beta that came before it.

MeinChurro · January 2020

KMarble wrote: »

MeinChurro wrote: »

I have been trying to recover - or at the very least find - my original account from BETA. This account should be the same name, and it should be associated with the same email used for this forum account. As you can see, this forum account is proof of having an account from that date. I main a second account I created on the 1st of 2016. I'd love to recover my original beta account, but it seems they deleted it. As in, there is apparently no account associated with the email, but I have remnants of the account within that very same email. I have literally no clue what could have happened to it!

To give some context on why I abandoned that old account, I had purchased a key from G2A (yes stupid) a long time ago, I think this was a stolen or counterfeit key, I then purchased my second account directly from the ESO website back in 2016. For more details, I think this key I used was stolen, because my account seemed to be bugged, I had activated that G2A key on the website, but apparently it was a steam key - meaning there was no way to purchase crowns, or membership at the time. I had done a google search at the time, and apparently others had the same issue. I'd love to have my account back - even if I would have to buy the game again - but I don't know what happened to it!

Emphasis mine. This isn't clear to me. Are you saying that your first account was set up with a stolen/counterfeit key? If that's the case, I can see why you cannot recover that account.

The account was originally a beta account, code given by ZOS. I later used a G2A key, I suspect was a Russian key, never confirmed. I wouldn't have bought it if I knew G2A at the time sold those kind of keys. Yes, I have thought about that, but I think it is more likely the email to the account was changed as the account was still active, or rather I was still receiving emails for it as late as 2017. Either way, I created a support ticket since this post.

Acrolas · January 2020

We want to remind gamers to shop wisely and only purchase online keys from a reputable source. Fraudulently obtained keys obtained via Steam and then re-sold via third-party websites is a violation of both our and Steam’s Terms of Service. We will be deactivating all game accounts created with such stolen keys starting on Tuesday, May 26th. Affected users will receive an email with instructions on how to regain access to their game account via a valid game purchase.

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/171736/deactivation-of-fraudulently-obtained-esotu-game-keys

idk · January 2020

MeinChurro wrote: »

KMarble wrote: »

MeinChurro wrote: »

I have been trying to recover - or at the very least find - my original account from BETA. This account should be the same name, and it should be associated with the same email used for this forum account. As you can see, this forum account is proof of having an account from that date. I main a second account I created on the 1st of 2016. I'd love to recover my original beta account, but it seems they deleted it. As in, there is apparently no account associated with the email, but I have remnants of the account within that very same email. I have literally no clue what could have happened to it!

To give some context on why I abandoned that old account, I had purchased a key from G2A (yes stupid) a long time ago, I think this was a stolen or counterfeit key, I then purchased my second account directly from the ESO website back in 2016. For more details, I think this key I used was stolen, because my account seemed to be bugged, I had activated that G2A key on the website, but apparently it was a steam key - meaning there was no way to purchase crowns, or membership at the time. I had done a google search at the time, and apparently others had the same issue. I'd love to have my account back - even if I would have to buy the game again - but I don't know what happened to it!

Emphasis mine. This isn't clear to me. Are you saying that your first account was set up with a stolen/counterfeit key? If that's the case, I can see why you cannot recover that account.

The account was originally a beta account, code given by ZOS. I later used a G2A key, I suspect was a Russian key, never confirmed. I wouldn't have bought it if I knew G2A at the time sold those kind of keys. Yes, I have thought about that, but I think it is more likely the email to the account was changed as the account was still active, or rather I was still receiving emails for it as late as 2017. Either way, I created a support ticket since this post.

I missed the G2A/possible counterfeit or stolen key. If it was counterfeit or stolen then Zos has reason to ban and eventually delete the account. It does become irrelevant what your intent was and after such a delay in taking action, if the account was in fact banned, I would not expect Zos to be of much assistance other than to confirm such action.

Regardless, this is a great time to remember that reputable vendors are the best place to shop for your gaming needs if you want to keep your account legit and prevent getting banned. Basically as @Acrolas has pointed out. It is buyer beware so shop smart. Zos has a right to protect themselves.

Again, good luck to OP.

idk · January 2020

Elsonso wrote: »

Interesting tweet surfaced today that makes me think that ZOS has removed some of the very old unused accounts from launch and the free beta that came before it.

Your point? Please provide the link to the tweet. As is the message quoted lacks real meaning. No context and who knows if the source of the alleged tweet is questionable or legit.

Elsonso · January 2020

idk wrote: »

Elsonso wrote: »

Interesting tweet surfaced today that makes me think that ZOS has removed some of the very old unused accounts from launch and the free beta that came before it.

Your point? Please provide the link to the tweet. As is the message quoted lacks real meaning. No context and who knows if the source of the alleged tweet is questionable or legit.

I don't link to tweets.

essi2 · January 2020

idk wrote: »

@ZOS_BillE might be able to answer that question for you.

However, Zos probably had no reason to keep accounts tied to Alpha and Beta testing that never made it to the live game servers since nothing was paid and nothing was really tied to them outside of maybe a pet. So it would make sense Zos had purged them after a point as they were just dead weight.

Hopefully I am wrong and BillE can help you out.

I have my beta account despite not buying the game until Tamriel Unlimited.

curtisnewton · January 2020

Elsonso wrote: »

I don't link to tweets.

Ok

idk · January 2020

essi2 wrote: »

idk wrote: »

@ZOS_BillE might be able to answer that question for you.

However, Zos probably had no reason to keep accounts tied to Alpha and Beta testing that never made it to the live game servers since nothing was paid and nothing was really tied to them outside of maybe a pet. So it would make sense Zos had purged them after a point as they were just dead weight.

Hopefully I am wrong and BillE can help you out.

I have my beta account despite not buying the game until Tamriel Unlimited.

That is good. There is other information I missed in the OP we have discussed since. There may be an issue with the authenticity of the game code OP used as they bought it from an unauthorized merchant

Elsonso wrote: »

idk wrote: »

Elsonso wrote: »

Interesting tweet surfaced today that makes me think that ZOS has removed some of the very old unused accounts from launch and the free beta that came before it.

Your point? Please provide the link to the tweet. As is the message quoted lacks real meaning. No context and who knows if the source of the alleged tweet is questionable or legit.

I don't link to tweets.

Ok, Because the comment really lacks context or relevancy as it is . If that is all they said is it pretty meaningless and the source could be a troll. We will have to take it as such. This has nothing to do with you. I just call into question source less information.

Elsonso · January 2020

idk wrote: »

Ok, Because the comment really lacks context or relevancy as it is . If that is all they said is it pretty meaningless and the source could be a troll. We will have to take it as such. This has nothing to do with you. I just call into question source less information.

Mainly, I was wondering if they had trimmed and deleted older accounts, before they decided to archive them. It was odd that this tweet showed up at the same time, but then there seem to be a lot of account activation things happening today.

idk · January 2020

Elsonso wrote: »

idk wrote: »

Ok, Because the comment really lacks context or relevancy as it is . If that is all they said is it pretty meaningless and the source could be a troll. We will have to take it as such. This has nothing to do with you. I just call into question source less information.

Mainly, I was wondering if they had trimmed and deleted older accounts, before they decided to archive them. It was odd that this tweet showed up at the same time, but then there seem to be a lot of account activation things happening today.

And there are a lot of trolls. I am guessing the source is a troll as there has been nothing else about the subject and the situation for this OP has other factors and there is nothing about it that suggests it is a recent occurrence.

So, without more information it is nothing more than a twitter troll.

MeinChurro · January 2020

Acrolas wrote: »

We want to remind gamers to shop wisely and only purchase online keys from a reputable source. Fraudulently obtained keys obtained via Steam and then re-sold via third-party websites is a violation of both our and Steam’s Terms of Service. We will be deactivating all game accounts created with such stolen keys starting on Tuesday, May 26th. Affected users will receive an email with instructions on how to regain access to their game account via a valid game purchase.

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/171736/deactivation-of-fraudulently-obtained-esotu-game-keys

I would rather buy the game properly for that account. I did buy the game again full price on my (now) main account. I just wouldn't mind having my old BETA account back. I am pretty sure the email got changed.

idk wrote: »

I missed the G2A/possible counterfeit or stolen key. If it was counterfeit or stolen then Zos has reason to ban and eventually delete the account. It does become irrelevant what your intent was and after such a delay in taking action, if the account was in fact banned, I would not expect Zos to be of much assistance other than to confirm such action.

Regardless, this is a great time to remember that reputable vendors are the best place to shop for your gaming needs if you want to keep your account legit and prevent getting banned. Basically as @Acrolas has pointed out. It is buyer beware so shop smart. Zos has a right to protect themselves.

Again, good luck to OP.

Hindsight is 20/20. I pufchased the G2A key about 5+ years ago. Obviously, I know now, and I knew as soon as I had to buy a new copy of the game direct from ZOS back in 2016. I haven't bought anything from G2A since, and would recommend nobody doing so now. Even if you can get a game key for a good price, it isn't worth it, for it might be a potentially fraudulent key. My account was still working like normal as late as 2017, and if what the previous poster posted is true, then I should still have my account - I would just need to buy it again, if I wanted to use it.

idk · January 2020

Concerning your last post, the very end of it. Can you log into the ESO website with the other email?

I ask because I think you would need to be able to do that to activate the game account connected to that email.

Hopefully BillE will take note of this post and provide you with some guidance. May be letter them privately by clicking on there name where I tagged them near the start of this thread.

SmukkeHeks · January 2020

We had a reset of passwords, a month/month and a half ago. Apparently it was a brain fart from some vendor.

Could it be that?

Ackwalan · January 2020

You could try to put the old @name account on ignore. If it works, then that account is still in the system somewhere, if it doesn't work then that account doesn't exist anymore.

Try also sending that old @name account a whisper or mail. You may get a response or it will say that account does not exist.

idk · January 2020

SmukkeHeks wrote: »

We had a reset of passwords, a month/month and a half ago. Apparently it was a brain fart from some vendor.

Could it be that?

No. That reset was forum side only. OP mentions that the account should be associated with the same email as the forum account they are logged into so they are trying to log into the website and may have tried the actual game as well.

Ackwalan has a good idea for checking in game. Still, BillE should be able to provide some advice to OP>

MeinChurro · January 2020

Good news! Support got back to me today, and I was able to recover my account! I still have Imperial Edition activated, so I have to assume the key is fine.

Chicharron · January 2020

MeinChurro wrote: »

I have been trying to recover - or at the very least find - my original account from BETA. This account should be the same name, and it should be associated with the same email used for this forum account. As you can see, this forum account is proof of having an account from that date. I main a second account I created on the 1st of 2016. I'd love to recover my original beta account, but it seems they deleted it. As in, there is apparently no account associated with the email, but I have remnants of the account within that very same email. I have literally no clue what could have happened to it!

To give some context on why I abandoned that old account, I had purchased a key from G2A (yes stupid) a long time ago, I think this was a stolen or counterfeit key, I then purchased my second account directly from the ESO website back in 2016. For more details, I think this key I used was stolen, because my account seemed to be bugged, I had activated that G2A key on the website, but apparently it was a steam key - meaning there was no way to purchase crowns, or membership at the time. I had done a google search at the time, and apparently others had the same issue. I'd love to have my account back - even if I would have to buy the game again - but I don't know what happened to it!

Send a ticket.

Support help me, although it took 3 weeks to answer my ticket.

idk · January 2020

Chicharron wrote: »

MeinChurro wrote: »

I have been trying to recover - or at the very least find - my original account from BETA. This account should be the same name, and it should be associated with the same email used for this forum account. As you can see, this forum account is proof of having an account from that date. I main a second account I created on the 1st of 2016. I'd love to recover my original beta account, but it seems they deleted it. As in, there is apparently no account associated with the email, but I have remnants of the account within that very same email. I have literally no clue what could have happened to it!

To give some context on why I abandoned that old account, I had purchased a key from G2A (yes stupid) a long time ago, I think this was a stolen or counterfeit key, I then purchased my second account directly from the ESO website back in 2016. For more details, I think this key I used was stolen, because my account seemed to be bugged, I had activated that G2A key on the website, but apparently it was a steam key - meaning there was no way to purchase crowns, or membership at the time. I had done a google search at the time, and apparently others had the same issue. I'd love to have my account back - even if I would have to buy the game again - but I don't know what happened to it!

Send a ticket.

Support help me, although it took 3 weeks to answer my ticket.

LOL. A few minutes before you posted this OP responded that Support has helped her get the account back. Just thought it the timing was funny.

Iarao · January 2020

MeinChurro wrote: »

Acrolas wrote: »

We want to remind gamers to shop wisely and only purchase online keys from a reputable source. Fraudulently obtained keys obtained via Steam and then re-sold via third-party websites is a violation of both our and Steam’s Terms of Service. We will be deactivating all game accounts created with such stolen keys starting on Tuesday, May 26th. Affected users will receive an email with instructions on how to regain access to their game account via a valid game purchase.

https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/171736/deactivation-of-fraudulently-obtained-esotu-game-keys

I would rather buy the game properly for that account. I did buy the game again full price on my (now) main account. I just wouldn't mind having my old BETA account back. I am pretty sure the email got changed.

idk wrote: »

I missed the G2A/possible counterfeit or stolen key. If it was counterfeit or stolen then Zos has reason to ban and eventually delete the account. It does become irrelevant what your intent was and after such a delay in taking action, if the account was in fact banned, I would not expect Zos to be of much assistance other than to confirm such action.

Regardless, this is a great time to remember that reputable vendors are the best place to shop for your gaming needs if you want to keep your account legit and prevent getting banned. Basically as @Acrolas has pointed out. It is buyer beware so shop smart. Zos has a right to protect themselves.

Again, good luck to OP.

Hindsight is 20/20. I pufchased the G2A key about 5+ years ago. Obviously, I know now, and I knew as soon as I had to buy a new copy of the game direct from ZOS back in 2016. I haven't bought anything from G2A since, and would recommend nobody doing so now. Even if you can get a game key for a good price, it isn't worth it, for it might be a potentially fraudulent key. My account was still working like normal as late as 2017, and if what the previous poster posted is true, then I should still have my account - I would just need to buy it again, if I wanted to use it.

maybe there was a time limit to buy the game again?

Iarao · January 2020

MeinChurro wrote: »

Good news! Support got back to me today, and I was able to recover my account! I still have Imperial Edition activated, so I have to assume the key is fine.

so what was the problem? why couldnt you get in?

MeinChurro · January 2020

Iarao wrote: »

MeinChurro wrote: »

Good news! Support got back to me today, and I was able to recover my account! I still have Imperial Edition activated, so I have to assume the key is fine.

so what was the problem? why couldnt you get in?

Email got changed, looks like support changed it back. They set it up and had me recover the account, via security question and password change. I had all the original information pertaining to the account, so it was easy to prove it was mine. Pretty quick and easy support experience, considering.

theyancey · January 2020

None of our beta accounts carried over. When the game went live we all had to start new toons from scratch. Same with the beta forums.

MeinChurro · January 2020

theyancey wrote: »

None of our beta accounts carried over. When the game went live we all had to start new toons from scratch. Same with the beta forums.

Well, I don't know what happened to the beta forums but this is my beta forum account, and that account was my beta account - I just activated a key to make it an active account.

Ackwalan · January 2020

MeinChurro wrote: »

Iarao wrote: »

MeinChurro wrote: »

Good news! Support got back to me today, and I was able to recover my account! I still have Imperial Edition activated, so I have to assume the key is fine.

so what was the problem? why couldnt you get in?

Email got changed, looks like support changed it back. They set it up and had me recover the account, via security question and password change. I had all the original information pertaining to the account, so it was easy to prove it was mine. Pretty quick and easy support experience, considering.

Was there anything different about the account? Additional characters, extra loot, bank space etc. Just curious if the account was being played by someone.

Elsonso · January 2020

.

Ackwalan wrote: »

MeinChurro wrote: »

Iarao wrote: »

MeinChurro wrote: »

Good news! Support got back to me today, and I was able to recover my account! I still have Imperial Edition activated, so I have to assume the key is fine.

so what was the problem? why couldnt you get in?

Email got changed, looks like support changed it back. They set it up and had me recover the account, via security question and password change. I had all the original information pertaining to the account, so it was easy to prove it was mine. Pretty quick and easy support experience, considering.

Was there anything different about the account? Additional characters, extra loot, bank space etc. Just curious if the account was being played by someone.

Translation: Did someone play and leave you some goodies?