Skype users across the world are reporting on a strange new problem with the service.
Some users have received messages during sessions telling them that their passwords have been changed. When they attempt to reset their passwords using Skype’s password token service, the service returns internal server errors on Skype’s site.
Users who’ve contacted Skype through other channels have reported that Skype Customer Service reps have indicated that their accounts were locked out for violations of Skype’s Etiquette Policy. However, some users have complained that they never violated these terms and were locked out anyways.
One user said, “my friend and I both got our accounts blocked at around the same time. We both have newer accounts, but we don’t talk about inappropriate materials which violate Skype’s End User Licensing Agreement. Yet, when we contacted Skype, we were told that we violated the EULA or something, which other people have seen in messages from Skype. They said my account had been blocked, but unblocked it while saying that if I was flagged for verification again, it would be blocked again.”
Based on a forum thread on Skype, it appears that this problem has been around for nearly two months. Users in the thread have complained about password issues since the beginning of June, and yet it seems that Skype has been unable to track down the root of the problem.
The problem seems to have become even more apparent in the last 24 hours, though. A wide range of users have complained about the issue on Twitter, with most believing that their accounts were hacked. However, some have talked to Skype and confirmed that the issue is indeed Skype’s fault.
Thanks to Jeff Bajayo for the tip.
Is Skype a standard like OAuth or private reserve code?
Since yesterday, Skype keeps kicking my status over to “Do not disturb” for no reason that I can see. I wonder if there is any connection?
I have the same problem
Same problem!
This ridiculous I’m having the same problem. There is nothing on Skype’s website about this problem. I wonder when will they address the issue. I use Skype to communicate with my friends and I haven’t breached any of their rules or regulations
I am also facing the same issue. Below is the communication I received from Skype after reporting the problem.
”
In accordance with paragraph 5.2 of the Skype End User License at http://www.skype.com/intl/en-gb/legal/eula/ (EULA), we have terminated your right to use the Skype software, and have prevented any further access to your Skype account, because you are in breach of paragraph 4.1 (c) of the EULA which prohibits the use of the Skype software to send unsolicited communications. Any Skype Credit that was in your account is non refundable.
”
Sadly I have close to 9$ in Skype credit and I have not violated any terms :(
Complain to tech support. They refunded my friend’s credit and reinstated his account.
There is no where on the website to complain! there is no email or comment box to use
Had same problem contacted Skype tech support. They have reinstated my account and all my credit.
I received the following communication from them:
We understand the inconvenience that your blocked Skype account can cause and we appreciate your patience and understanding.Your account was flagged for verification by one of our automatic systems, which indicated that you had carried out actions which are not allowed under Skype’s Terms and Conditions. Unfortunately we are unable to explain the specific reason for restricting your account.
We have now lifted the restriction, so you should be able to sign in again. Please note that if our systems detect further problems with your account then you will be unable to use your account again.
Once again please accept our sincerest apologies, and we thank you for your patience and understanding.
If Skype can’t explain the reason for restricting my account who can!!
I am experiencing the exact same issues… )-:
the email is en_support@skype.net, they are pretty snappy, but you may have to email a few times, got back to me within 5 hours
Thank you!!
To those having problems: we’re investigating this – sorry for the disruption to your calls and IMs.
Thanks for the update, Peter. If you guys get to the bottom of this problem, please contact me via the email address in my bio so I can write something up explaining how you’ve resolved the issue.
I got such a shock when I got an email back saying I was in breach of paragraph 4.1 of the user agreement. I haven’t done anything wrong at all and I use skype for work a lot… Please please please reinstate my account.
same problem here, won’t accept my password and fails when I try to reset it.
Yeah I also got kicked because my password suddenly changed. And when i contacted tech support, I also got the violating terms song and dance routine.
Now i’m just waiting for them to hopefully acknowledge their error and correct this!
Ok, Skype just fixed my account! :)
I have the same exact problem. I thought I was hacked. A friend of mine told me I was on all day but I have not been at all. In fact I tried logging in with my iphone and it did not take my password early this morning. Last time I tried it I believe it was Saturday evening. It will not allow me to change my password with the password recovery thing. I just put in skype credit too. Perhaps it is happening to those folks that actually paid? Maybe their accounts are targeted somehow?
I paid with paypal. I will be disputing the charges since I bought the service and only paid two test calls with it before my account was locked out for no reason. I had to create a second account to get to the email support form because all the accounts I found, like billing and service at skype.net both bounced saying they are no longer in use. The email support form was almost auto-replied claiming the EULA was violated. Obviously I have not so being fed up with Skype support and their unwillingness to help, I asked paypal for a refund due to services not rendered.
Update: I was able to recover my account and get my money back. Dealing with customer service was only via email and only after making a fake account so I can get to their customer service page where I can email them. I then got the standard ‘you violated the EULA message’ after already including that I did not do that on my original email to them. Too much time invested to get my money back. It was not worth dealing with it but do not like it when vendors have very limited customer service. It is almost like they bank on you giving up. I was given no explanation as to what occurred on my account. I would have to assume that someone figured out my password but I did not see anything in the call history showing what they did. It was probably skype going ‘haywire’ like this article says. Their free service is great, but I would have to be hard-pressed to give them money, however little, again.
Same thing happened to me too, except I lost over $60 since I also set up a Skype telephone number. So now I don’t have Skype, they refuse to refund my money, and I suppose my email is blacklisted. Got tired of waiting forever for a response after requesting to speak to someone over the phone, so I ended up calling American Express to suspend and investigate the charge, in addition to writing a message to the BBB and Consumer Reports.
I cannot place calls in North America as I usually have. I logged on to to the Skype homepage and it says my account has been blocked to please contact support. I did and also checked my call history and found calls to numbers in Morocco and Senegal on there. WTF!
I have no idea what’s going on here.. I think the same can be said about Skype; because frankly I haven’t heard anything being announced publicly about infringement issues on the service.. meaning they’re likely full of it, and this is the error that it’s prompting. I had my password killed, and I don’t use any paid services.. just PC to PC, which I guess now must be a problem for them. Worst part is, you can’t seem to contact customer support unless you’re a paying customer, so if you’ve got a free account, they don’t feel like helping you.