VANGUARD GOLD:Keep Your Characters Safe!

     Account theft isn't isolated only to those who choose to trade or 
share their 
station accounts (ignoring the EULA!) As the internet and online gaming
 population
 grows, so does the cesspool of scammers. There are a variety of ways in
 which people 
will attempt to gain access to your account, and the list grows everyday.
 Fear not, 
there are simple tips to ensure that your account is protected. Keep in 
mind these 
worn-out (but useful!) words of wisdom: 

Sharing your account information is never a good idea. 
    Gamers have heard the advice before, yet a lot of people still opt to
 share their 
account information with close friends. Having a guildmate complete a quest
 for you while
 you're sleeping may seem mostly harmless, but bad things can happen. While
 it doesn't 
always end in catastrophe, you could log back in with a new last name like 
"Lovetrollslongtime" 
or something slightly worse which might result in a banning. It's not always
 obvious, malicious 
attacks that cause good accounts to go bad! 
    I'm sure we've all heard the fateful stories of guildbanks emptied and 
outfit members booted. 
Sadly, this is often a direct result of sharing account information. Not 
only do you run the risk
 of virtual strangers reeking havoc on all you've worked hard for, but you 
make it difficult for SOE's 
customer service staff to investigate and resolve issues. 

Be aware of phishing sites! 
    What is a phishing site? Simply, it's usually a website created to mimic 
a well-known or frequently
used site in an attempt to fraudulently gain sensitive account information. 
Gaming communities have been
targeted in the past via email, spamming a link that takes the reader to a 
site that, upon first glance, 
appears to be legit. The imposter site may offer in-game items for completing 
surveys, or pose as a game 
representative, warning that your account is in limbo. 
    Here at SOE we do not offer enticing ways to earn in-game money through
 email. We prefer the old 
fashioned way of logging in, killing mobs, completing quests, etc. Be 
extremely cautious when exposed to
 external sites through email, claiming to be affiliated with Sony 
Online. You will only be prompted to
 enter your password when logging into an SOE game, or when visiting
 an official Station site.

SOE employees will NEVER ask for your password.
   Not in email. Not in-game. Not on the phone. Never! We have ample ways 
to access your account; the 
only thing we require from you is patience and a Station name. If you suspect
 that someone is impersonating 
a CSR in-game, use the /report feature and again, do not divulge your account 
password. 
Time Honored Tips: 

Use a unique Station name. 
Use an alpha-numeric password consisting of at least 8 characters; a mix of 
letters, numbers and special 
characters is best. Never write down your password! 
Never use the same word for your Station name and password; change it
 periodically. 
Never trust a troll in a dress. 
Always create a secret question when prompted (this allows for quicker
 password recovery and confirmation
 when needed.) 
Keep your registration information, including current email address, up to
 date in so that we can contact 
you regarding your account and for retrieving lost passwords. (SOE will not use
 your email for marketing purposes, 
unless you specifically opt in for newsletters and announcements.)