Eurogamer has learned that the billing department behind EA's subscription-based MMORPG Warhammer Online (WHO) is over-charging players to the point of hundreds of dollars, hitting up credit cards and bank accounts with multiple charges. Electronic Arts has already acknowledged the problem, claiming that the vendor responsible for charging user accounts is working on reversing the damage within 24 to 36 hours.
Still, many gamers are feeling the pain, especially when banks kick in their vicious overdraft fees. "My account I pay my sub from was billed today for over 500 dollars in 16 dollar increments," said one subscriber on the official WHO forum. "The account was overdrawn and with fees and over-billing it was 562.73 total."
Another gamer said that his account was hit with 22 charges at $14.99 a piece, totaling a whopping $329.78 before overdraft fees. "Maybe legal action should be taken to show the seriousness of this problem, the gamer said.
There could be a case against EA if banks refuse to reverse their overdraft charges. EA said that once the WHO charges have been reversed, fees that were incurred should be refunded. If not, EA wants players to make calls to their banks and credit card companies immediately.
"Please begin by contacting your financial institution and explain to them that you were incorrectly charged multiple times and, as a result, over drafted," the company said here. "Most financial institutions will reverse these charges." Note the word most.
EA added that gamers should give its billing department a call if banking institutions refuse to cave in and reverse their overdraft charges. "Please have the phone and fax number of your financial institution ready when you call," EA said.
Two words: game card.
