(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Would appreciate some feedback on the weird relationship that exists between EA & PunkBuster...specifically PB's control over EA's paying customers. My specific situation - 2 weeks ago, my Battlefield 3 Premium account, for PC, via Origin, was apparently hacked as I suddenly had a "global" PunkBuster ban:

Error
Game disconnected: you were kicked by PunkBuster. Stated reason: PunkBuster permanent ban issued on this Game Server for player 'diakanos' ... GLOBAL PunkBuster GUID BAN (my GUID was shown here)

Upon pursuing this for a week now w/ EvenBalance & EA, I know a few things:

1. EA's support outside the US is sub-optimal, & that's being generous. Yes, I know re: support outside the US...I've been in support for over 20 years.
2. EA alleges they can't help with this since the ban is levied by EvenBalance/PunkBuster. Why do you let a third party vendor, even 1 you have a relationship with, dictate whether your paying customers can use the product you purchased from them? Why aren't we buying these games from EvenBalance instead of EA?
3. There is no way to call EA or EvenBalance. Searched their corporate addresses, blogs, forums, etc., & couldn't find any recourse w/ any management, corporation contacts, etc. except their service portals
4. Appears the EA license key for my install is the issue, which feeds into my "GUID".
5. EA alleges there is no way to retain my years & years of progress, stats, unlocks, etc. if I purchase a new CD for Battlefield 3 Premium, which puts a new license key/GUID in place.
6. You can play BF3 on servers that don't use PunkBuster, but that equates to 1 or 2 German servers out there. So, you lose 99% of your ability to play BF3 if your account is stolen by someone.
7. With EA & PunkBuster's relationship, the good guy gets punished for a thief stealing the good guy's property, & neither EA nor EvenBalance will put forth any effort to help you start playing again w/out the error or investigate & punish the person who did the bad thing to you.

However...I do see evidence out there that some folks have magically gotten a rep @ EA to help port their current/compromise profile to a new one that retains their progress.

1 example: You must login or register to view this content.

Do you all know of any way that this is done, or any specific support path you follow to make this happen?

I thought another reasonable request would be for them to credit me my original purchase price of $39.99 so I can buy the unlock combo for Battlefield 4, which covers everything from soldier to firearms to vehicles.

I know, guys, this has probably been a scenario that has been hashed out here & in other forums, too, but I don't see how EA & EvenBalance can continue to do this w/out any accountability or repercussions. Greatly appreciate your guidance & wisdom. Thank you.