Scams and exploits

What are scams and/or exploits?

As can happen in the real world, someone in EVE may try to cheat you out of your hard-earned possessions. This may be attempted through either a scam or an exploit, and the distinction between the two is important. Hopefully this guide will help you determine whether or not you have been the victim of a legal in-game cheat, or an illegal exploit. If you aren't sure, please contact a GM or the support team and they will make the decision. In the end, though, it will always be your responsibility to prevent yourself from being taken advantage of, and the tools you employ to that end are a level head, practicality and a healthy distrust of strangers.

Scams

A scam is what happens when someone takes advantage of your misplaced trust, temporary confusion or ignorance of game rules, and robs you via legal in-game means. When this occurs, there is nothing the Support Team can do for you. Although low and despicable, scams do not violate any game mechanics and can not be compensated for by the GMs, nor can the scammers generally be punished for their actions.

Exploits

An exploit is when someone bypasses normal game mechanics, such as by utilizing a bug in the game, allowing him to take advantage of other players without them having any means of preventing it whatsoever. When this occurs, we implore you to contact your friendly neighbourhood GM as soon as possible so that they can investigate the incident, prevent it from happening to anyone else, and possibly reimburse you for your loss: While in the game, select the "Help" function from your NeoCom. Press the "Petitions" button, then "New Petitions". Select the "exploit" category and press "Ok", then write as detailed a description as you can, including if possible the exact circumstances under which the cheat or exploit can be reproduced, and whether you know of any players who have been taking advantage of it.

How can I fight those who exploit me?

Please file a petition every time you witness exploits. In such petitions, please submit as much details as you possibly can about the incident, since the more information the GMs have, the better chance you have of reimbursement. Even seemingly small, insignificant details can mean the difference between a lost fortune and a happy reimbursed player.

Be sure to file an exploit petition immediately if you feel you have been a victim of an exploit. The longer you wait, the lesser your chances of a GM being able to help you. Furthermore, if you are the victim of an exploit, we urge you not to try to use the same exploit on someone else in order to regain your lost property, as that will only make the matter worse. If you do so, you forfeit any chance of reimbursement and might yourself be the subject of any action CCP sees fit to take once the exploit gets discovered.

Corporation Security

Corporation Security EVElopedia page regarding the basics of corporation security. What the scammers, thieves, con men, spies and saboteurs hope you won't do before accepting new members into your corp or new business partners etc.

Tips

• DON'T TRUST ANYONE. It's a tough galaxy out there, and anyone could betray you.
• Make sure that the person you are doing business with is who he says he is.

  EVE-Online has a unique naming policy, making it impossible for more than one player to have the same name. However, names may be very similar, and it is a good idea to be 100% certain that the party you are dealing with is the real thing. Also, never believe someone who says he is an alternate character of someone you know but doesn't offer any proper proof.

• Take your time.

  Often you can tell whether or not you are dealing with someone who's trying to scam you by the way he is acting. If you feel that you are being rushed through a transaction, or if something doesn't feel right, you should back out. After all, it's a big galaxy and there are plenty more business opportunities out there.

• Take note of the name of the player you are trading with.

  It is very important to know the names of the players you do business with, since it is impossible to know when such information might be needed in order to help you prove that you have been the victim of an exploit.

• Only use game functions as they were intended to be used.

  When trading, only use the market or the station trade function so you can see and examine the item you are getting. Don't trade with other players through courier missions or by simply trusting them to deliver something.

• Always use "Show Info".

  When you have items in a trade window, always right-click and choose "Show info" on them to make sure it is the item you were expecting. If it is a blueprint, check if it has the number of production runs remaining and the correct research levels. Since ships can be renamed, use "Show info" to make sure it is the ship type you were expecting, and make sure you give at least a passing glance to its attributes and description.

• Beware of buying items on places like eBay.

  Trade of ISK, accounts or anything of that nature from places like eBay or Tradespot is absolutely forbidden. If you feel that you have been cheated in such a transaction, there is nothing we can or will do about it. We suggest you contact your local police, or any other law enforcement agency you deem fit.

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

  Although this little nugget may seem obvious, it is nevertheless true that people usually only act in their own self-interest. If you are being offered something that sounds too good to be true, you would do well by questioning the deal.

• The corporate world can be dangerous.

  While joining and operating within a corp can be a very large and fulfilling part of playing EVE-Online, you ought to be aware of the fact that when you join a corp you are laying your pilot's life in their hands. Also, if a corp member betrays you and steals the contents of your corp hangar, there is absolutely nothing that the GMs can do to help you.

• Don't be too forthcoming in the information you share with other players.

  No matter how close you think you are with your corpmates or anyone else in the game, you should never trust them with things like your password or username. You never know if they might use it themselves, or pass it on to someone else. Further than that, if you give out your username and password, the holder of the information can then find out personal information about you, such as your address, email address, birth date, etc.

• Be sceptical of any-out-of-game "proof".

  You shouldn't accept any screenshots, or anything of that nature as "proof" of anything. With today's sophisticated programs, such things can very easily be falsified.

• Avoid using third-party programs.

  Many programs now exist that promise you an advantage over other players, often by helping you with things like mining. Avoid them at all costs. Many of them slip "Trojan horses" along, which retrieve your account information and/or password. It's also a good idea to regularly run a virus scanner to make sure that your system isn't infected.

• Watch your inbox.

  If you receive mail from any website claiming to be a legitimate part of the EVE-Online experience, please make sure that they are the genuine article. Never, EVER, respond to any mail that asks you for your password. Customer support will never ask you to send your password through the mail.

What are the punishments for using exploits?

We reserve the right to review cases involving exploits on an individual basis and take action as deemed necessary. For minor offenses a formal warning is issued, another warning or a more serious offense will get a temporary ban from the game and for very serious violations or repeated offenses the user can be banned permanently. We reserve the right in all cases to deem the seriousness of offenses. We also reserve the right to delete characters and/or items that were gained through the use of exploits. Note that any attempts at hacking the game or servers will be dealt with very severely, even with lawsuits.

How can I report scams, cheating and/or exploiting?

If you notice someone using scams, exploits or cheats within the game, please file a petition to let us know. Here is how this is done:

1. Select the Help function from your NeoCom.
2. Press the Petitions button.
3. Press New Petition.
4. Select the Rules & Policies category.
5. Select the Exploits subcategory
6. Press Ok.
7. Write as detailed a description as you can, including if possible the exact circumstances under which the cheat or exploit can be reproduced, and whether you know of any players who have been taking advantage of it.

You can also file an Exploit petition from the Support website.

If you are not sure if what exploiting or scamming is, please visit the ingame Help Channel and ask if the act you witnessed is considered a cheat or an exploit. Experienced players, volunteers or Game Masters frequently visit that channel and may be able to tell you more.