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Any idea how they handled that promotional code hacking incident a while back where people were generating 160 point codes and the Banshee avatar code?

I'm also partially curious because I know there were a lot of people buying the codes in bulk on eBay. I wonder how Microsoft screwed them.

Originally Posted by imacgod Any idea how they handled that promotional code hacking incident a while back where people were generating 160 point codes and the Banshee avatar code? I'm also partially curious because I know there were a lot of people buying the codes in bulk on eBay. I wonder how Microsoft screwed them.

I don't think anything happened that we know of, there's no way MS was going to screw people who may have bought codes innocently on Ebay.

Maybe MS went after the worst offenders selling codes wise, but I've not heard anything about it.

Originally Posted by Doctor Who I'd imagine Microsoft will treat the situation like when they mistakenly put an arcade game up for free on the marketplace. For those who downloaded the free game prior to them finding out about it have got a free game and after they rectified the price back to normal, everyone else will have to pay for it. They won't charge people who downloaded the game for free but just write it off as a mistake and move on.

Makes sense. Well put good Doctor.

Originally Posted by JKSonic My points are GONE too...just to reiterate...was logging in to use them just now and back to my 270 points. I had 1720... So there's a very good chance people will be charged as it's simply unfair to those of us who didn't jump on this to spend something that wasn't even ours. Lets face it, if you're here you knew it was a mistake. I can see if you don't frequent forums or something thinking it was just a reward, but coming here you knew full well.

Wow, you just said you were logging on to use them and now you want to say it's unfair because some people got in before you and were able to spend there points before MS revoked them. Talk about a hypocritical.

There is absolutely no way MS will charge people for those points that they spent, it was there mistake and they can rectify it but for those that actually spent the points they just have no standing to demand payment for them. Someone could just easily say that they thought they thought they won a promo or something.

Man, now I wish I had just quickly bought Bastion or something. I was saving the points for Street Fighter III. Oh well.

Originally Posted by exileinoblivion Wow, you just said you were logging on to use them and now you want to say it's unfair because some people got in before you and were able to spend there points before MS revoked them. Talk about a hypocritical. There is absolutely no way MS will charge people for those points that they spent, it was there mistake and they can rectify it but for those that actually spent the points they just have no standing to demand payment for them. Someone could just easily say that they thought they thought they won a promo or something.

Pretty sure they can legally not charge your credit card without your permission, although I have not really read through the terms and service condition so maybe they have a clause in there.

One thing I read is that they may subtract from your eligible gold sub months, I would think they have a better legal footing for that. I also believe they could probably get away with giving you a negative point balance you have to buy your way out of. If they did either of those though I am sure there would be a really big outcry from the public as both of those are pretty underhanded maneuvers, but they could probably get away with those legally, who knows though.

I am really curious about what they will end up doing.

Damn, I noticed something funny yesterday — my balance shot up 700 points weirdly, but just wrote it off. I should have bought something, but I didn't. Now it's back to what it was before. Well, I guess I learned my lesson. Still hoping they give me back those free points!

How did they correct everyone's account, I see where they added the points, but it appears that they did not back those out and just adjusted my beginning balance for the month of August down by the amount that had been added in error. Weird way of handling it, since it now my account appears out of balance if you go back through the history.

Here's another source to tantalize and confuse everyone:

http://www.thegameraccess.com/news/3...ake-action-now

Originally Posted by exileinoblivion Wow, you just said you were logging on to use them and now you want to say it's unfair because some people got in before you and were able to spend there points before MS revoked them. Talk about a hypocritical. There is absolutely no way MS will charge people for those points that they spent, it was there mistake and they can rectify it but for those that actually spent the points they just have no standing to demand payment for them. Someone could just easily say that they thought they thought they won a promo or something.

It's not hypocritical at all. I saw there was statements that they won't be charging people or putting them into the negatives so I figured it was ok to go on and use them. I go on to use them and they're gone. That's hypocritical...how?

Heh I didn't spend the ill gotten points. Chalk one up for being honest. Points gone.

It really is simple...

If you got free points and you used them, you only lost the difference between what you spent and what you got for free. I am surprised that Microsoft even gave that bone vs taking all the points out.

If you got free points and you didn't use them, you lost all the free points they gave you.

Had 5760 points, 1320 gifted from ms (220x6), spent 240 yesterday, current balance today is 5740
I'll happily take 220 free points

Posted by someone on Joystiq:

I just talked to MS when I noticed that my account had jumped a little over 5000MS. The rep told me that the promo points have been escalated and the matter will be resolved within 72 hours. I ask what they were doing if I had already spent them. The reps answer was that MS is planning on handling the matter is five phases. 1- If the points weren’t spent then they are just going to remove them from the accounts that got them. 2- If the points were spent leaving a zero or negative balance of points and there is a credit card on file, then they are going to bill for the points used. 3- If there is no credit card on file, they plan on sending out an E-mail “demanding” payment. 4- If there is no credit card on file and the “demand” for payment goes unanswered then they “may” subtract months of gold membership that equal the amount of points used. 5- If there is still a negative balance then they plan on banning the console and the account until it is no longer negative. This one she said at least three times.

Don't know how legit this is, but think of it this way...If your bank credits you extra money by accident, you'd still have to pay it back if you withdraw it.

I didn't get free points, but just wanted to throw that out there.

I'm not really sure how I feel about this.

Sure the 1300 points were a mistake... but the fact that if people used them, they got to keep them, but if you , are like me, a point hoarder during deals, you lost them because you carry a balance seems a little unfair. I'm not going to bitch piss and moan about it, but if they're letting the "shadier" people who saw the points and spent them really quick keep them, seems they should do the same for everyone who was waiting it out to see.

Originally Posted by vherub Had 5760 points, 1320 gifted from ms (220x6), spent 240 yesterday, current balance today is 5740 I'll happily take 220 free points

They deducted the August reward points you WOULD have otherwise gotten. Same happened to me. I spent the glitch points, but didn't get my August reward points.

Originally Posted by emeraldgsl Posted by someone on Joystiq: Don't know how legit this is, but think of it this way...If your bank credits you extra money by accident, you'd still have to pay it back if you withdraw it. I didn't get free points, but just wanted to throw that out there.

The issue with that thought though, is that points aren't universally priced vs currency. They shouldn't charge you full price for using what was in your account if you could get said currency cheaper. The bank can say "you owe us what we gave you", but Microsoft may have some issues unless they just put points in negative status. Because we all know we can get points far cheaper than $5 for 400.

I imagine Microsoft would take away based off of what they charge on marketplace since the points were given that way.... but I doubt they take anything away....

Guys, they're not going to charge you. Honestly, how can people believe that?

Could you imagine the consumer shit storm? A company can't give you money/credit, let you buy something and then bill you for it after.

Any one do the buy 2 800+ point games get 160 point back deal from last month?

I got my july point rewards but it was only 110.

Guess this is going to be an emailed code.