Microsoft Won't Take Your Credit Card Off Your Ex-Boyfriend's XBOX Live Account

However much you like your man now, don’t let him sign up for XBOX Live using your credit card. Why not? Because after you’ve broken up, Microsoft won’t take your credit card number off of his account. Instead, they’ll tell you to change your credit card number or submit it to you credit card company as fraud. Also, they will be sarcastic to you on the phone. Weird, huh?

Erica noticed she’d been billed twice for the Halo 2 maps she’d downloaded. When she called Microsoft, they told her that her credit card has been charged twice because her ex was still using it, even though she’d called to cancel. Erica writes:

Since his XBL account is a version 1 live account, they claim they can’t remove my credit card info from it. They suggested I either “make a fraud claim even though you were aware of the account being associated with my card” (said sarcastically) or change my credit card number completely. Otherwise I have to depend on the ex to remove my card info from his account myself.

Anyhow that’s my story. Suffice to say I think that policy is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Since they have verified that I am the cardholder, they should do what I ask with my card information, right?

Well, we certainly think so. Read Erica’s entire email inside.

Erica writes:

First some backstory:

I used to live with my boyfriend (at the time) and let him use my credit card to sign up with xbox live. (Yeah stupid me). We have since broken up and I have since disabled *my* old live account. When I did that, they asked me about the other live account associated with my CC. I’d forgotten all about it so I asked for all live accounts associated with my credit card to be removed. Okay they said.

Fast forward to now:

I have a new Live ID. I used said Live ID and associated new Gamer Tag to download the new Halo 2 maps. I noticed 2 charges on my CC account statement for the maps. I figured live must have erroneously charged me twice for the maps. I called to find my credit card was still associated with the exes acct and the second charge came from him downloading the maps. I asked for my card info to be removed from his account.

Here’s the kicker:

Since his XBL account is a version 1 live account, they claim they can’t remove my credit card info from it. They suggested I either “make a fraud claim even though you were aware of the account being associated with my card” (said sarcastically) or change my credit card number completely. Otherwise I have to depend on the ex to remove my card info from his account myself.

Anyhow that’s my story. Suffice to say I think that policy is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Since they have verified that I am the cardholder, they should do what I ask with my card information, right?

It’s going to be hard to explain the situation to a credit card company. Sadly, Erica’s best bet may be to cancel her credit card as lost or stolen. Anyone have any suggestions? —MEGHANN MARCO

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