EA took it upon themselves to reset my password?

This forum has documented many reports of hacked accounts.

If EA has stepped up efforts to prevent it, and as a result you must create a new password, I'd speculate you got off easy.

Sure beats opening your game to find all donuts spent, ane all limited items sold.

Tip: a LONGER password is safer than a confusing one.

So, "HomerJSimpsonian420" is safer and easier to type in, than something like "MyP4$$w0rD"