Seeking Assistance to Lift My Auction House Ban

Hello everyone,

I’m reaching out to this community in hopes of finding any additional resources or advice regarding my recent ban from the Auction House in Madden. I’ve attempted to resolve this issue through EA’s customer support three times now, but each time I’ve been met with denials and a lack of transparency regarding the reasons behind the ban.

To give you some context, I’ve been actively trading in the Auction House and have sold multiple Limited Time Players, including Josh Allen, just before the ban was enforced. I was shocked to receive the ban, especially since I consistently invest in Madden Cash and have no knowledge or intention of engaging in coin distribution. At the time of the ban, my account had around 27,000 coins, and I had just sold the Josh Allen card for 4 million coins.

I’m feeling quite frustrated and confused about this situation, as I have always played the game fairly and within the rules. I’m hoping that someone here might have suggestions for other avenues I can explore to appeal this ban or any tips on how to effectively communicate with EA support for a clearer understanding of the issue.

Thank you in advance for any help or advice you can provide. I truly appreciate it!

You’ll hear the same thing from me that you will from the others - regardless of what the max coin ceiling is for cards, if you sell high priced cards at that ceiling, you’re signaling to EA that you’re breaking the TOCs.  4m for a 1.1m card signals this aggressively. You’re unlikely to get this ban overturned this year. Be smarter.

jsmiller2003 said:

You’ll hear the same thing from me that you will from the others - regardless of what the max coin ceiling is for cards, if you sell high priced cards at that ceiling, you’re signaling to EA that you’re breaking the TOCs.  4m for a 1.1m card signals this aggressively. You’re unlikely to get this ban overturned this year. Be smarter.

Thank you for your feedback. I wouldn’t be as upset if it weren’t for the significant amount of money I’ve invested in the game. It feels disheartening to see where I stand as a customer. A large portion of my coins were earned through purchasing packs, and I’ve spent over a thousand dollars in the past few months. While it’s unfortunate, I believe it’s unjust to confiscate all my coins, especially since they were acquired legitimately with my hard-earned money. As a result, I’ve decided not to participate any further and will need to file a fraud report with my bank, as I view this as theft that doesn’t violate the terms of service.

I was banned early in Madden 24 because of their shitty app remake. I got the run around from their customer service, so I sent this letter via UPS. My ban was removed within 2 weeks. I'm not sure they'll give you your coins back, but it's worth a shot. Here is my letter to them. I can host it online for download or send it to you as a Word doc if you want.

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP

Email: UR EMAIL ADDRESS

CASE # WHEN I GOT BANNED I OPEND A SUPPORT REQUEST. I PUT THAT HERE.

September 25, 2023

Electronic Arts Inc.

209 Redwood Shores Parkway

Attn: Legal Department

Redwood City, CA 94065

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to formally notify you of a dispute regarding my Madden 24 ban on PlayStation 5. I initiated a case (155256940) with help.ea.com and was denied. I have made every effort to resolve this matter amicably and in good faith; however, my attempts have been unsuccessful.

I am a long-time Madden Ultimate Team player and have been using the Madden Companion App for many years. This year, the app underwent a complete overhaul. The dispute arises from the following issue:

September 22, 2023 I was using the newly updated app and accidentally purchase an 88 Bo Jackson for 1,400,000 coins when his average price was approximately 269,000 due to the confusing layout and sorting of the updated app. My recollection of the event was the 1,400,000 price did not render properly and I believed I was buying the item for 140,000 which would have been a good deal for me considering the average price, at the time, being 269,000. You can imagine my distress when I realized the item cost me 1,400,000! My suffering was exacerbated upon learning I had been banned from the auction house.

I believe the preponderance of evidence would show that my account was not involved in coin distribution but that an honest mistake was made by a long-time player. In an effort to resolve this dispute, I propose that my ban be overturned, and my account restored to active status in the auction house.

Please consider this letter as a formal request for dispute resolution in accordance with any applicable contractual agreements, policies, or governing laws. I am open to negotiation and am willing to participate in mediation or arbitration to reach a fair and equitable resolution. Please note that I am unable to pay the administrative fees required to initiate an arbitration.

To facilitate the resolution process, I kindly request that you respond to this notice within 30 days from the date of this letter. I believe that a fair and equitable resolution can be achieved through open communication and negotiation, and I hope that we can work together to resolve this matter promptly. Please contact me at <INSERT EMAIL ADDRESS> to discuss this dispute further and arrange a mutually agreeable resolution.

Best Regards,

NAME

Buying coins is against TOS and I can almost guarantee you won't get it reversed.

 That has to be close to the most obvious coin/cash transaction possible right now.  Why wouldn't you at least try a little tiny bit not to get flagged?

BeefBalls said:

I was banned early in Madden 24 because of their shitty app remake. I got the run around from their customer service, so I sent this letter via UPS. My ban was removed within 2 weeks. I'm not sure they'll give you your coins back, but it's worth a shot. Here is my letter to them. I can host it online for download or send it to you as a Word doc if you want.

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP

Email: UR EMAIL ADDRESS

CASE # WHEN I GOT BANNED I OPEND A SUPPORT REQUEST. I PUT THAT HERE.

September 25, 2023

Electronic Arts Inc.

209 Redwood Shores Parkway

Attn: Legal Department

Redwood City, CA 94065

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to formally notify you of a dispute regarding my Madden 24 ban on PlayStation 5. I initiated a case (155256940) with help.ea.com and was denied. I have made every effort to resolve this matter amicably and in good faith; however, my attempts have been unsuccessful.

I am a long-time Madden Ultimate Team player and have been using the Madden Companion App for many years. This year, the app underwent a complete overhaul. The dispute arises from the following issue:

September 22, 2023 I was using the newly updated app and accidentally purchase an 88 Bo Jackson for 1,400,000 coins when his average price was approximately 269,000 due to the confusing layout and sorting of the updated app. My recollection of the event was the 1,400,000 price did not render properly and I believed I was buying the item for 140,000 which would have been a good deal for me considering the average price, at the time, being 269,000. You can imagine my distress when I realized the item cost me 1,400,000! My suffering was exacerbated upon learning I had been banned from the auction house.

I believe the preponderance of evidence would show that my account was not involved in coin distribution but that an honest mistake was made by a long-time player. In an effort to resolve this dispute, I propose that my ban be overturned, and my account restored to active status in the auction house.

Please consider this letter as a formal request for dispute resolution in accordance with any applicable contractual agreements, policies, or governing laws. I am open to negotiation and am willing to participate in mediation or arbitration to reach a fair and equitable resolution. Please note that I am unable to pay the administrative fees required to initiate an arbitration.

To facilitate the resolution process, I kindly request that you respond to this notice within 30 days from the date of this letter. I believe that a fair and equitable resolution can be achieved through open communication and negotiation, and I hope that we can work together to resolve this matter promptly. Please contact me at <INSERT EMAIL ADDRESS> to discuss this dispute further and arrange a mutually agreeable resolution.

Best Regards,

NAME

A+ Sir

BeefBalls said:

I was banned early in Madden 24 because of their shitty app remake. I got the run around from their customer service, so I sent this letter via UPS. My ban was removed within 2 weeks. I'm not sure they'll give you your coins back, but it's worth a shot. Here is my letter to them. I can host it online for download or send it to you as a Word doc if you want.

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP

Email: UR EMAIL ADDRESS

CASE # WHEN I GOT BANNED I OPEND A SUPPORT REQUEST. I PUT THAT HERE.

September 25, 2023

Electronic Arts Inc.

209 Redwood Shores Parkway

Attn: Legal Department

Redwood City, CA 94065

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to formally notify you of a dispute regarding my Madden 24 ban on PlayStation 5. I initiated a case (155256940) with help.ea.com and was denied. I have made every effort to resolve this matter amicably and in good faith; however, my attempts have been unsuccessful.

I am a long-time Madden Ultimate Team player and have been using the Madden Companion App for many years. This year, the app underwent a complete overhaul. The dispute arises from the following issue:

September 22, 2023 I was using the newly updated app and accidentally purchase an 88 Bo Jackson for 1,400,000 coins when his average price was approximately 269,000 due to the confusing layout and sorting of the updated app. My recollection of the event was the 1,400,000 price did not render properly and I believed I was buying the item for 140,000 which would have been a good deal for me considering the average price, at the time, being 269,000. You can imagine my distress when I realized the item cost me 1,400,000! My suffering was exacerbated upon learning I had been banned from the auction house.

I believe the preponderance of evidence would show that my account was not involved in coin distribution but that an honest mistake was made by a long-time player. In an effort to resolve this dispute, I propose that my ban be overturned, and my account restored to active status in the auction house.

Please consider this letter as a formal request for dispute resolution in accordance with any applicable contractual agreements, policies, or governing laws. I am open to negotiation and am willing to participate in mediation or arbitration to reach a fair and equitable resolution. Please note that I am unable to pay the administrative fees required to initiate an arbitration.

To facilitate the resolution process, I kindly request that you respond to this notice within 30 days from the date of this letter. I believe that a fair and equitable resolution can be achieved through open communication and negotiation, and I hope that we can work together to resolve this matter promptly. Please contact me at <INSERT EMAIL ADDRESS> to discuss this dispute further and arrange a mutually agreeable resolution.

Best Regards,

NAME

Tldr

BeefBalls said:

I was banned early in Madden 24 because of their shitty app remake. I got the run around from their customer service, so I sent this letter via UPS. My ban was removed within 2 weeks. I'm not sure they'll give you your coins back, but it's worth a shot. Here is my letter to them. I can host it online for download or send it to you as a Word doc if you want.

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY, STATE ZIP

Email: UR EMAIL ADDRESS

CASE # WHEN I GOT BANNED I OPEND A SUPPORT REQUEST. I PUT THAT HERE.

September 25, 2023

Electronic Arts Inc.

209 Redwood Shores Parkway

Attn: Legal Department

Redwood City, CA 94065

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to formally notify you of a dispute regarding my Madden 24 ban on PlayStation 5. I initiated a case (155256940) with help.ea.com and was denied. I have made every effort to resolve this matter amicably and in good faith; however, my attempts have been unsuccessful.

I am a long-time Madden Ultimate Team player and have been using the Madden Companion App for many years. This year, the app underwent a complete overhaul. The dispute arises from the following issue:

September 22, 2023 I was using the newly updated app and accidentally purchase an 88 Bo Jackson for 1,400,000 coins when his average price was approximately 269,000 due to the confusing layout and sorting of the updated app. My recollection of the event was the 1,400,000 price did not render properly and I believed I was buying the item for 140,000 which would have been a good deal for me considering the average price, at the time, being 269,000. You can imagine my distress when I realized the item cost me 1,400,000! My suffering was exacerbated upon learning I had been banned from the auction house.

I believe the preponderance of evidence would show that my account was not involved in coin distribution but that an honest mistake was made by a long-time player. In an effort to resolve this dispute, I propose that my ban be overturned, and my account restored to active status in the auction house.

Please consider this letter as a formal request for dispute resolution in accordance with any applicable contractual agreements, policies, or governing laws. I am open to negotiation and am willing to participate in mediation or arbitration to reach a fair and equitable resolution. Please note that I am unable to pay the administrative fees required to initiate an arbitration.

To facilitate the resolution process, I kindly request that you respond to this notice within 30 days from the date of this letter. I believe that a fair and equitable resolution can be achieved through open communication and negotiation, and I hope that we can work together to resolve this matter promptly. Please contact me at <INSERT EMAIL ADDRESS> to discuss this dispute further and arrange a mutually agreeable resolution.

Best Regards,

NAME

This is fantastic! I just submitted a complaint to the Better Business Bureau using the exact address you gave me, requesting a full refund for all the money I’ve spent since August. The total comes to $955.32, not including the college football game. It’s a bit less than I expected, but still, it’s something! Lol.
 

Here is what my message to the BBB consisted of…..

“Complaint Against Electronic Arts – Invalid Account Ban in Madden 25 Ultimate Team

Dear Better Business Bureau,

I am writing to formally lodge a complaint against Electronic Arts (EA) regarding an unjustified account ban in the Madden 25 Ultimate Team game mode. My account has been banned for alleged coin distribution violations, despite my adherence to the Terms of Service (TOS) set forth by the company.

Since August 15th, 2024, I have invested $955.32  into my EA account, purchasing in-game content and enhancing my gaming experience. However, I was recently notified of a ban on my account with no clear explanation or evidence provided to justify this action.

I have submitted three appeals regarding this ban, each yielding inadequate responses from EA’s customer service. The communication I received was vague and did not address my concerns adequately, nor did it offer any transparency regarding the circumstantial evidence that led to the decision to ban my account.

Given my substantial financial investment and the lack of clarity surrounding the ban, I am requesting reimbursement for all transactions made on my account since August 2024. I believe this is a fair request considering the circumstances and the poor customer service I have encountered.

I hope that the Better Business Bureau can assist in resolving this matter promptly. I look forward to your guidance on how to proceed and appreciate your attention to this issue.

Thank you for your time.

Not trying to bust your chops here, but if you’ve “invested” $955 this year, you’re not naive to the way the Auction House works.  What drove you to post a 1.1m card for 4m?  Either you’re trying to bait a coin buyer into an improper purchase or you’re trying to scam/trick someone else. Why?

jsmiller2003 said:

Not trying to bust your chops here, but if you’ve “invested” $955 this year, you’re not naive to the way the Auction House works.  What drove you to post a 1.1m card for 4m?  Either you’re trying to bait a coin buyer into an improper purchase or you’re trying to scam/trick someone else. Why?

The same reason moss was selling for 5 million at various times, along with all the team diamonds, is that purchasing the LTDs at a low price and selling them high has consistently been a great way to profit during the Christmas promo. I’m not quite sure what you’re implying, but I’m one of many who have successfully used this strategy to earn coins, and then buy the players back after the promo ends.

MomSpaghetti said:

The same reason moss was selling for 5 million at various times, along with all the team diamonds, is that purchasing the LTDs at a low price and selling them high has consistently been a great way to profit during the Christmas promo. I’m not quite sure what you’re implying, but I’m one of many who have successfully used this strategy to earn coins, and then buy the players back after the promo ends.

There wasn’t a second where Allen - a ZC presents reward available in bulk on 12/25 - was anywhere nearly as rare as Moss, a Merry Mixup LTD that was nowhere to be found (and it showed in his price).  Regardless of what platform you play on, per the MUT.gg price tracker, Allen’s market price was never above 1.3m, and there were never NOT multiple copies of the card available for LESS than 4m coins. In what world is this a strategy that “many have successfully” used? The data shows it’s a strategy that no one has successfully used. Whomever bought your card thought you were a coin buyer/seller or was duped.  Forget about the TOS - at best it’s unethical.  And why this community is the dirt worst.

jsmiller2003 said:

There wasn’t a second where Allen - a ZC presents reward available in bulk on 12/25 - was anywhere nearly as rare as Moss, a Merry Mixup LTD that was nowhere to be found (and it showed in his price).  Regardless of what platform you play on, per the MUT.gg price tracker, Allen’s market price was never above 1.3m, and there were never NOT multiple copies of the card available for LESS than 4m coins. In what world is this a strategy that “many have successfully” used? The data shows it’s a strategy that no one has successfully used. Whomever bought your card thought you were a coin buyer/seller or was duped.  Forget about the TOS - at best it’s unethical.  And why this community is the dirt worst.

Word

MaddenIsTerrible said:

Tldr

Thats what EAs lawyers said when they immediately reversed his ban, id think.

jsmiller2003 said:

There wasn’t a second where Allen - a ZC presents reward available in bulk on 12/25 - was anywhere nearly as rare as Moss, a Merry Mixup LTD that was nowhere to be found (and it showed in his price).  Regardless of what platform you play on, per the MUT.gg price tracker, Allen’s market price was never above 1.3m, and there were never NOT multiple copies of the card available for LESS than 4m coins. In what world is this a strategy that “many have successfully” used? The data shows it’s a strategy that no one has successfully used. Whomever bought your card thought you were a coin buyer/seller or was duped.  Forget about the TOS - at best it’s unethical.  And why this community is the dirt worst.

I work the auction house like crazy , I’m NMS  and have built a decent team working the AH .  Anyone that spends time buying a flipping cards knows what cards are going for . You are right ZC no where has Allen been even worth over 2M , 4M is ridiculous. 
 

It’s funny , because I also like to check what items sold for on this site and it always boggles my mind when I see a 200K card sell for 500K , those transactions stick out like sore thumbs . I always wonder who over pays for those cards ..