Ban reason has changed 3 times across appeals
Posting this because my case shows some clear internal inconsistencies from EA that I think are worth flagging publicly, especially given how many similar reports I've seen from other players dealing with coin/balance transfer bans this cycle.
Timeline of what I've been told, in order:
1. Original ban notice: reason given as "Coin Distribution."
2. First appeal denial: similar wording, upheld.
3. Second appeal denial: switched to a generic "cheating" classification under the ToS, without repeating or explaining the original coin distribution basis.
4. Third appeal denial: changed again — described as a "Transfer Market lock" specific to FC 26 only, explicitly stating future titles would be unaffected.
5. My own Penalty History page, however, lists the violation reason as "Balance transfer," and states the ban is permanent with no access to Football Soccer at all — not a Transfer Market-only restriction.
So across four separate communications from EA, on the same case, I've been given three different stated reasons and two directly contradictory descriptions of what the ban actually covers. I'm not asking anyone to take my word on the underlying accusation — I understand EA doesn't disclose detection methods, and that's a separate question. But the inconsistency between EA's own systems and communications is a documented, checkable fact, not a dispute over judgment.
I've submitted four appeals and a formal data access request, each without a substantive individual response beyond templated decisions.
Has anyone else had a case where the stated reason or scope changed between appeals like this? Curious how common this actually is, and whether anyone's had luck getting a case looked at by an actual person rather than routed through the same template each time.
Thanks for taking the time to lay out the different messages and statuses you’ve received.
I can see why the different descriptions across the ban notice, appeal responses, and Penalty History would be confusing.
Just to clarify, appeals are reviewed individually, and different members of the review team may look at subsequent appeals. The response wording can still be standardized or templated, so similar wording doesn’t necessarily mean the appeal wasn’t reviewed by a person.
Unfortunately, we’re not able to review account-specific enforcement records or determine through the forums why the wording or scope appears different between those communications.
Since you’ve already submitted multiple appeals, please continue to use your Penalty History for any remaining appeal options and include the inconsistencies you’ve listed here as part of any further review.
You can find the official appeal guidance here:
Check and appeal EA Account locks, bans, and suspensions
Thanks for documenting the details clearly.
