Posts about Nintendo
Context: logged on my Switch OLED a few days ago to find the error code 2124-4508. After some googling I found this was a ban from online services for breaking TOS. After speaking with Nintendo Customer Support, they confirmed this was a permanent ban from online services for fraudulent activity and asked for my proof of purchase. I provided proof of purchase, including the serial number of the device on the receipt. Nintendo accepted this and then informed me the fraud took place before I owned the device, however, the ban will not be lifted.
The device was bought from a reputable second hand seller (a company, not an individual) in the UK back in August 2022. I'm now having to go back to them to try get a refund/replacement. Nintendo have been no help at all, even after I pointed out the risk of me losing my save data as the save data transfer tool relies on Nintendo Online Services. I have also lost out on using Nintendo Online in the meantime (through no fault of my own) even though this is a service I've paid for. I've pointed out multiple times I am not the one who caused "financial damage", nor am I risk to do so in future but they still will not lift the ban.
Nintendo say they have no responsibility to me as I'm not the original owner and have washed their hands of the matter, even though they've banned the device months after the fraud was committed. I'm incredibly disappointed in Nintendo as I've pointed out I'm arguably a victim in this as I am losing years worth of data (transferred from a previous switch) but there is no acknowledgement on their side.
I wanted to share as a warning for any other second hand switch owners.
Screenshot of email where Nintendo Customer Support confirm I am not the one who committed "fraudulent activity" but they are still upholding the ban:
https://imgur.com/NnMfgR9
EDIT FOR CLARITY: The switch is not hacked/jailbroken, nor have I ever attempted to do so. I get it's weird the ban is so late, it was a shock to me to, exactly why I'm posting to let others know and I included proof of Nintendo admitting they know I'm the one who didn't commit fraud. I'm not asking for Nintendo to give me a new console or anything, I'm asking them to release the permanent ban on the console as they themselves admit I am the current legal owner and NOT the one who committed fraud. Buying second hand doesn't mean Nintendo has a right to ban me when they admit I'm not the one who broke TOS and I've proven I'm the legal owner.
SECOND EDIT: Thank you for everyone for your support, I wasn't expecting this post to get so much traction. Obviously some people do not believe me or say this is my fault, it's the internet so that's bound to happen. Nintendo have had proof of purchase from me including a receipt with the SERIAL NUMBER and a bank statement. I have raised the case with their complaints department and am waiting a response. The seller has asked for more details of ban, such as dates, which I am waiting on Nintendo to provide as they would not at first. I do not know what the fraud is, just "fraudulent activity". Nintendo have been pretty vague but as far as I know the device is not stolen, if it was I imagine they'd want to get the police involved. I have been a Nintendo customer since the original DS so I'm pretty upset by this, mainly due to their lack of care or unwillingness to help me with my data.
THIRD EDIT: I forgot to mention in my original post that this is a Switch OLED, not an original. I have updated this now as there's been a lot of talk about it being a hackable model and something to do with the serial number and versions. I don't want a hacked switch, I use Nintendo Online a lot to play with friends. Nintendo have said my Nintendo Account is "active" but I'm most upset about the data loss. Even if I CAN get a new switch, my Animal Crossing and Pokémon data is tied to the old one and without the transfer save data tool, it's stuck there.
Please feel free to share this around if you so wish. If anything comes out of my case, I want it to at least be a warning to others.