Gamerscore boosting, the facts.

Q. What is a Gamerscore?

A gamerscore is the unique number next to your Xbox 360 username which logs your game progress as you unlock achievements.

Q. What is significant about the system?

Nothing really, it's just a number. The bragging rights which come with Gamerscore is one of the only significant features of it. No monetry value is associated with the score so, it's meaningless.

Q. What is 'boosting?'?

Gamerscore boosting, is typically where friends go online and assist other users to increase each others scores by being easy targets, losing races etc. This is completely legal and in some ways, is recommended by Xbox users as it's a great way to pass time.

Q. What is 'Gamesaving/Glitching?'

Gamesaving is using illegal software from the internet to download a completed game save with the sole purpose of loading the game up and obtaining all of the achievements (1000/1000 or 1250/1250) without so much as playing the game.

Glitching is another word for it and this practice is in violation of Xbox Code of Conduct and Terms of Usage.

Q. What are the comebacks from Microsoft?

Microsoft are now cracking down on these cheats by labelling them as such with the logo "What happened to their gamerscore?" "This user has been caught CHEATING" and the gamerscore's have been wiped down to zero and can not be unlocked again. Cheating on ONE game will result in a gamerscore reset and you will be branded a cheat.

Q. What are the implications?

Well, bannings from Xbox Live, forums etc. are the main course of action, plus the embarassment of being labelled a cheat. Microsoft are still working on punishments and each user is dealt with accordingly.

Q. Is there a security risk?

Well, if you are simply stupid enough to hand over your Gamercard sign in details which consist of an email address and your PASSWORD, then, what do you think?

Q. Are these sellers genuine?

Oh yes, of course they are....

Genuine in wanting your details then changing passwords so you can't access the account rendering the email address, xbox sign in info locked for the genuine user.

Q. So, I shouldn't go through with the sale?

No. The majority of these users are feeding on the users craving for a bigger number next to their name. The real threat is the fraud risks.

Q. FRAUD RISKS?

Well, yes. The user may have the email and password so what's stopping them from reading your emails? Then, looking through and finding your recent purchases with websites? Then, lets say, they log in and have a little spending spree?

OR, how about they log into Xbox LIVE and go and spend as much as they like on the Marketplace with your attached credit card?

Q. Attached credit card? Where?

If you have exchanged money for Microsoft points using a credit card, then, the number stays with the card that you now don't have. If you pay your GOLD subscription monthly, the card is there too. RING YOUR BANK IMMEDIATELY AND CANCELANY CONNECTING CARDS.

Q. What do I do if I suspect an Xbox user has 'cheated'?

Report them via Xbox.com, to moderators on the Xbox forums or file a complaint using the service on the 360 itself.

Q. What can I do to report an Illegal sale on ebay? 

Similar thing, find the item, go straight to the bottom of the page and click REPORT.

I am sorry if this has scared you in anyway. My aim is to simply point out that these sales are strictly prohibited by Xbox and MS and any user who is found to be using such a service may have severe consequences.

I pride myself in being a well respected member of the Xbox.com forums along with several other users, so please take this warning on board, rate the guide accordingly and pass it on to your Xbox friends.

Younger users are very prone to falling for these scams, inform them of this conduct.

THE MORE PEOPLE THAT RATE THE TOPIC, THE MORE VISIBLE IT IS. ALL XBOX USERS MUST READ THIS AS IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, DO NOT GET CAUGHT OUT.

MartyTno1