Below are guidelines to determine whether certain activity constitutes scamming in World of Warcraft. We evaluate each incident on a case by case basis, and we may take action beyond what is detailed here. Due to the negative effect scamming has on its victims, we have very little tolerance for it; severe action will be taken against known habitual scammers.
Note: If you would like to appeal a penalty placed on your account, contact our Account Administration team.

What is a scam?
What is a guild bank theft?
What should I do if I get scammed?
What should I do if the contents of my guild bank are stolen?
Will I get my items and money back?
I was scammed again! Can you help me?
I grouped with a “ninja-looter,” can I get the item that I am entitled to returned?
I bought an item out of game and have not received it! Can the GMs help?

What is a scam?
A scam is the act of acquiring items or any other possession from another player through misinformation, confusion, or fraud. In short, using any sort of deception to gain at another’s expense. If you are unsure if your particular case fits the criteria of a scam, contact a GM in-game and they will be able to assist you.
If a player is found to have perpetrated a scam, that player may be suspended from the game and have any money or item gains removed

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What is a guild bank theft?
A Guild Bank Theft is the act of stealing items or money from a guild bank; specifically, the wrongful taking and removing of property, using bank access gained by deception or exploitation. Because bank access must normally be granted by a legitimate officer of the guild or the guild leader, gaining using exploits or deception to circumvent those protections is a serious offense.
This category includes removing goods from a guild’s bank using access gained by deception or exploitation. If a player is found to have perpetrated a guild bank theft, that player may be temporarily suspended from the game or have any money or item gains removed.

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What should I do if I get scammed?
If you fall victim to a scam, contact us. In situations where we can verify that a scam took place, a GM will attempt to intervene and assist the victim with the recovery of their items.

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What should I do if the contents of my guild bank are stolen?
If the contents of your guild bank have been stolen by someone who was not granted access by the Guild Leader or officers, or if another player gains access to your guild bank using deception, contact us. In situations where we can verify that the withdrawals were outside the permissions set by the Guild Leader, a GM will attempt to intervene and assist the victim with the recovery of their items.

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Will I get my items and money back?
Due to the many variables involved with item reimbursement and types of scams, restoration is not guaranteed. We will make every effort to verify your particular case and, once verified, will try to assist in returning the missing items to you. Refer to our Character & Item Restoration Policy for further details on recovering lost items.

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I was scammed again! Can you help me?
While we will make every effort to assist players in need, we want players to learn from their mistakes and take measures to ensure the same mistakes are not repeated. In this way, we prevent players from becoming career victims and using the GM Staff as a shield against scammers. To this end, players will only be allowed a certain number of item restorations, including those lost to scams and guild bank theft.

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I grouped with a “ninja-looter,” can I get the item that I am entitled to returned?
Players who loot items within a party’s selected loot rule set (for example, Master Looter or Need Before Greed) do not meet the criteria for scamming, and will not be investigated. If there is a clear in-game agreement about loot distribution and a player violates the agreement, a GM can investigate a scam. For more information, see our Ninja Looting article.

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I bought an item out of game and have not received it! Can the GMs help?
If you are scammed outside of the game, we will be unable to assist you. We do not support, condone, or investigate these types of transactions.

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Tips to Avoid Scams and Theft

Never give your prized possessions to anyone you do not trust

There is never a reason to hand your items to an unknown player. Casting enchantments to your items can be done safely through the trading window. Moving an item to the “Will not be traded” box in the trading window allows other players to enhance the item without it leaving your possession. Use caution when someone you don’t know suggests a proposal or deal.

Buyer beware

Many scammers will attempt to scam through the auction houses. Be careful with the items you decide to purchase. Always confirm the cost of the item before bidding or purchasing. In player to player transactions, confirm the item you are trading or purchasing before accepting the trade.

Real Blizzard Employees will never ask you for items or gold

Be wary of players attempting to use the guise of being a GM or Blizzard Employee to trick you into giving them your possessions. If a player ever attempts to defraud you in this fashion, right-click the player’s name in chat to report them.

Do not participate in cross-realm trades

We do not support the trading of gold or items across realms. Players who participate in these types of transactions do so at their own risk.

Keep your account information secret

Account sharing is against our Terms of Use. Scamming and account hacking can be attributed to account sharing. Any time you share your information with another person, the security of your account is seriously compromised.

Validate all guild invites

It is common for multiple characters on an account to be in the same guild. Be sure the character you are inviting and promoting is actually the person they say they are. Asking the character to log onto the character they claim to be is a great way to deter imposters.