New BIRTHDATE Logon feature... I'm Locked out.

[homeworkabolitionist]

Well, my account hasn't been iced, but I can't get into it because I had signed up with false information, to protect my identity. I don't remember the birthdate I signed up with... and its not like this account isnt worth anything either... Its worth over 1 million NP and its been active for over 4 years.

Anybody have any ideas on how to get it back?

[_ei]

The birthdate feature happens when you haven't logged in for over a year or if you enter your pw wrong - it's been there for quite some time. They expect you to use your real birth date as it's something you'll always remember and makes for a good security check - if you signed up with a fake birth date I'm not sure how much you can do.

I can't really suggest anything other than trying to email a friendly staff member, listing as much information about the account as you can (not your PW or pin though, I'm pretty sure they're not to keen on you emailing that to someone). It may take a few tries to get a response.


Side note: Can someone explain the logic of using a fake bday? There's not that much useful information that somone can get about you from your birthdate alone is there?

[Officer 1BDI]

I used a fake year to protect my age (I wasn't under 13 when I joined the site, but I didn't feel comfortable letting people know how old I actually was, so I made myself older).

I've been told time and time again, "don't reveal anything about yourself over the internet," so I stuck by that rule and submitted a fake birhtdate. I know showing your real birthday won't catalyze the end of the world, but I feel more comfortable browsing under fake information on a site like Neo, especially with all the potential cookie grabbing and other crap that crops up there.

So, there's not much logic behind it, at least for me. Just sheer paranoia.

[Rachel]

if the contacting a staff member idea doesnt work, if you have another account that you have as a neofriend of the one you're trying to get into, you can find out the DOB by looking at the age everyday - and when the age changes you'll know that that's the birthday you listed.

unfortunately that idea may take up to a year to get the account back. (and is also a way someone could hack into your account... TNT didnt think of that did they!!)

[WolfMaiden]

I used a fake year to protect my age (I wasn't under 13 when I joined the site, but I didn't feel comfortable letting people know how old I actually was, so I made myself older).

I've been told time and time again, "don't reveal anything about yourself over the internet," so I stuck by that rule and submitted a fake birhtdate. I know showing your real birthday won't catalyze the end of the world, but I feel more comfortable browsing under fake information on a site like Neo, especially with all the potential cookie grabbing and other crap that crops up there.

So, there's not much logic behind it, at least for me. Just sheer paranoia.

If I have to put my birthday down, I use the year I was born, but I use Halloween as the date.

[Morningstar]

The birthdate feature happens when you haven't logged in for over a year. . .


Side note: Can someone explain the logic of using a fake bday? There's not that much useful information that somone can get about you from your birthdate alone is there?

Actually, it happens if you haven't logged in for 3 months or longer.

And to explain the fake birthday rationale, I used a fake birthday for my daughter because when she signed up, I didn't want a site that I knew absolutely nothing about to have so much information about her. With her full name, zipcode, and birthdate (all required by Neopets), it would quite easy for a nasty person to do a bit of digging, figure out what school she went to, and then from that, get her address and stalk her.

[Huggles]

When I signed up soon after getting my first pc, about 6 years ago, the general consensus was not to reveal anything personal. It didn't matter if they were computer science teachers or news casters, everyone basically agreed. I've only just recently started using my real name for online purchases, and it was only out of laziness that I frequently used my real birthdate.

[_ei]

Aaaah I see. I didn't really think about that, as I'm an adult there are some things I don't mind people knowing about me, my real birthdate and first name being examples of this. I think I would be much morecareful if it was my child involved as morningstar said.

I buy a lot of things online as well as internet banking (which someone tried to get into the other day eeeep) and managing my bills online and for those things you generally need correct personal info to verify that you are who you say you are, so I guess I enter my correct details out of habit (and laziness as Huggles said )

I use uber secure passwords to make up for it though

[homeworkabolitionist]

Well I took this account over from my cousin, who quit playing, and I happened to get the age right... due to the neofriend age finding suggestion. Thanks guys

[_ei]

Ah well if you took it over from your cousin you have a whole different set of problems.... like it being completely against the rules

[homeworkabolitionist]

since when was it against the rules to assume their account, when its the only account you use.

when they dont use it anymore... besides which... The account's been under my control since it was about 15 months old... its 65 months old now.

Yoshi edit: Merged posts. Please do not double post; read the rules before continuing. Thanks!

[WolfMaiden]

the smart thing to do, is to pound your pets, and quit logging on if you're going to quit neo. But if you need a break, just quit logging on.

and its been against the rules as long as I can remember to not take over someone elses account.

[_ei]

It is against the rules to take over anyone's account, even if they are no longer using it and it is the only account you use.

As a guest you do not own the accounts, activities, items, Neopoints, characters, locations, faeries, games and pets on the site; they are for you to play with while on the site. Except as permitted by the functionality of this site, you can't sell them (for money or Neopoints), give them to anyone, trade them for anything (including Neopoints), or pretend you made them.

ToS is the best quote I can give right now but I'm sure someone with more time and patience than me will quote an editorial on the subject

[Morningstar]

I don't know exactly how long the rule has been in place about giving away an account, but it was clearly stated well over a year ago in the FAQs section of the Terms and Conditions:

Q. I like my new account much better than my old account and I have a friend who wants my old account. Can I give it to her?
A. Sorry but you are not allowed to give away, sell, trade, share or buy a Neopets account or pets for Neopoints, money, items, or anything else -- even to your very best friend in the whole world. To deactivate an unwanted account, go here. You may place an unwanted pet into the The Neopian Pound, if you wish.

EDIT: Ah, ei, we must be on the same wavelength.

[Shakira_Shoyru]

It did that to me too, but I just waited a while and came back, figured out my old password, and they let me on, without asking my birthday date on the second time. Tip for the ones who dont wanna use the real birthday date. ---> Choose a year that has a significant meaning to you. Your month, and your best friend's birthday.