Beta Contest Winning E-Mail Legitimacy

#0 - Aug. 2, 2010, 10:21 p.m.
Blizzard Post
What does a legitimate email and e-mail header look like and what in there am I looking for to verify it?
The e-mail itself appears to be pretty plain with just some congratulation text and then asking for guild name, guild leaders full name and battle.net address as well as that info from the 9 other e-mails.

The items in bold are the specific things to look for in the header that verify it is from blizzard.
Q u o t e:
Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:47:53 -0700 (PDT)
Return-Path: <[email protected]>
Received: from mx1.blizzard.com (mx1.blizzard.com [12.130.201.11])
by mx.google.com with ESMTP id w41si15184248wfd.83.2010.08.02.13.47.52;
Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:47:53 -0700 (PDT)
Received-SPF: pass (google.com: domain of [email protected] designates 12.130.201.11 as permitted sender) client-ip=12.130.201.11;
Authentication-Results: mx.google.com; spf=pass (google.com: domain of [email protected] designates 12.130.201.11 as permitted sender) [email protected]
X-IronPort-AV: E=Sophos;i="4.55,305,1278313200";
d="scan'208,217";a="50221632"
[Received: from irvex203.corp.blizzard.net ([10.130.14.23])
by mx1.blizzard.com with ESMTP; 02 Aug 2010 13:47:53 -0700[
Received: from IRVEX013.corp.blizzard.net (10.130.0.206) by
IRVEX203.corp.blizzard.net (10.130.14.23) with Microsoft SMTP Server (TLS) id
8.2.254.0; Mon, 2 Aug 2010 13:47:52 -0700

Received: from IRVEX001.corp.blizzard.net ([fe80::446a:1923:919e:77fa]) by
IRVEX013.corp.blizzard.net ([::1]) with mapi; Mon, 2 Aug 2010 13:47:51 -0700


What do I do if I'm still concerned it could be phishing?
Q u o t e:
If you are still concerned about it being a phishing attempt, then what you will want to do is copy the body of the email into a brand new email with the information provided. Then you will want to enter in the email address of [email protected] to ensure its going to Blizzard. In the event that it originally was a phishing attempt, this will at least guarantee that it does go to Blizzard.


Do all 10 emails need to be submitted at once or can we send them in as we get them?
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=26262931336&pageNo=1&sid=1#8
Q u o t e:
You will need to provide all Battle.net account email addresses at once.


How long will it take to get the beta keys activated on the accounts?
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=26262931336&sid=1&pageNo=2#23
Q u o t e:
I would say about 2 weeks or so, maybe sooner. All winners will be added to the Beta in the order they are received.


Since we know we are getting the beta keys, is there a way to safely download the beta client and have it preloaded before we actually get it?
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=26262931336&sid=1&pageNo=2#33
Q u o t e:
The only way to install the beta client is from your account management page. It will appear under “Your Game Accounts” section as World of Warcraft®: Cataclysm Beta when flagged. When you see that you’ll be able to click on it and continue to download it.


Have all 500 winners been notified?
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=26262711678&pageNo=1&sid=1#4
Q u o t e:
Hiya Hands,

Q u o t e:
Have all of the 500 winners of the contest been contacted already?

Yes, all winners have been contacted.


Will we receive an e-mail notifying us that our beta accounts have been activated?
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=26398980357&pageNo=1&sid=1#6
Q u o t e:

From what I was told, it will appear under “Your Game Accounts” section as World of Warcraft®: Cataclysm Beta when flagged, without notification.


#2 - Aug. 3, 2010, 1:06 a.m.
Blizzard Post
Heya Fitzfarseer,

This email is indeed from us. :)
#4 - Aug. 3, 2010, 1:14 a.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
Its a butterfly!

its sooo preety

/looks in awe
(●*∩_∩*●)
#8 - Aug. 3, 2010, 1:53 a.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
Do all 10 beta accounts need to be activated at once or can we activate 5 now and let’s say the rest in a week or 2 upon completing a guild contest to determine who gets the remaining keys?
You will need to provide all Battle.net account email addresses at once.

Q u o t e:
Love that face, btw.
That’s how I look when I smile. hehe

Q u o t e:
Woot! Thank you so much Zenlyth...you have made me very happy :)
You’re welcome; it makes me happy, that you’re happy! =p
#11 - Aug. 3, 2010, 2:29 a.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
If this is legit, is there a way to NOT send my guild member's full real names and battle.net email addys to you, and still activate Cataclysm Beta on their accounts?

Q u o t e:
Check your headers and read the instructions the email tell you.

When you reply your sending it to [email protected] .

So even if it yours was a phish, the information your sending is still to valid and safe parties.

▲▲ Quoting -Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
#20 - Aug. 3, 2010, 6:06 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
How do I check if MY email is legit?

    http://us.blizzard.com/support/article/25133

    What should I look for in the header?

    Email headers contain information about the sender (who sent the email message), the path the email took to reach your inbox, and things that may have happened to the email before arriving. This information is very important and can be used to determine whether or not an email is malicious.
    Once you've accessed an email's header information, you'll want to attempt to verify the sending address. To do this, look at the "Return-Path" or the "originating address" for the email. For most phishing emails, the email address displayed in this location will differ from the address displayed in the "From" field.

      A legitimate header from Blizzard Entertainment should look something like this:

      X-SID-PRA [email protected]
      or
      Return-Path: < [email protected] >
      Received: from smtp01.worldofwarcraft.com ([XX.XXX.XXX.XXX]) by…
      Received: from … by smtp01.worldofwarcraft.com …
      for <Your Email Address>; Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:46:05 GMT
      From: [email protected]
      To: You’re Email Address

For similar emails and what to look for when you receive emails from us, please visit this thread:
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=965511383&sid=1

Q u o t e:


How long do we have to send in the information? And what if one of our guild members deactived their account while they took a quick break from the game, can they reactive and I send in their info then? Do they need to reactivate first?
The Battle.net information for each guild member has to be submitted all at once. You have until Beta is over to submit the information, but it would be best to send it as soon as you can. Yes, they will need to have an active account.
#23 - Aug. 3, 2010, 7:20 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
Hi Zenlyth,

Thanks for confirming the validity of this email! I just sent in my guild's information. Do you have any idea when we'll have our accounts activated for the beta?
I would say about 2 weeks or so, maybe sooner. All winners will be added to the Beta in the order they are received.
#26 - Aug. 3, 2010, 8:46 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
Also, I just found out that the guild leader recently switched his battle.net account address. He just now switched it to the address that was sent in the email.

Will this affect if it goes through?
Yes, it may affect that player, since community will be going by the Information that was provided. I would suggest replying to the email, with your concern.
#33 - Aug. 4, 2010, 12:44 a.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
Zenlyth, I do have one additional question though. As we are just waiting for our accounts to be flagged, is there a way to download the beta while we wait, that way it's ready to go when the invites go through? Or do we just have to wait.

I'm going to assume that we need to wait for the flagging of the account and that's fine. I'm just happy to know we are getting into the beta :).
The only way to install the beta client is from your account management page. It will appear under “Your Game Accounts” section as World of Warcraft®: Cataclysm Beta when flagged. When you see that you’ll be able to click on it and continue to download it.
#35 - Aug. 4, 2010, 1:37 a.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
If im taking this correctly they r being flagged in the order the email was sent back. So if i was the first one to send the email back i will be the first one flagged. if so when did they go out so i can calulate how long it ook us to send it back
They were sent yesterday 2/8/2010.

There is no need to create multiple threads. I may be a tiny moth, with lil’ tiny eyes... but I can still read your post. =/
#39 - Aug. 4, 2010, 1:56 a.m.
Blizzard Post
Icanhazbeta,

Q u o t e:
Q u o t e:
If im taking this correctly they r being flagged in the order the email was sent back. So if i was the first one to send the email back i will be the first one flagged.

This is what im shooting back i cant find anyone to give me a direct awnser and sorry for the double post.. imnot fan of waiting lol:D
The information that was given to me is that it will take 2 weeks to process the account flagging, depending on the order the lists were received.

If everyone replied to their email today, with all 500 battle.net accounts, they will process them during the next 2 weeks, which is the estimated time it will take to do this.

That means that I do not currently have the exact date and time you will get your account flagged, even if you sent yours first or last.

Q u o t e:
So have all 500 winners been e-mailed or are those being sent out in waves as well?
All winners have been notified.
#42 - Aug. 4, 2010, 2:28 a.m.
Blizzard Post
(●*∩_∩*●) You're welcome!
#48 - Aug. 4, 2010, 6:03 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
Thanks again Zenlyth for your hard work and have a Wonderful Day!
Thank you for the kind words. -Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
#201 - Aug. 9, 2010, 8:31 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
Zenlyth, if you are still tracking this topic, could you help us out here? Do you know if the accounts are already being flagged and activated, or are they waiting the two weeks to start activating them? If you could at least give us a little insight if possible it would really help.

Then again it might be that the anticipation is good...while possible to drive us batty, it definitely does keep us interested heh.
Yes, I’m still tracking this thread. Please be patient, the current ETA is by the end of the week.
#251 - Aug. 10, 2010, 10:35 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
Zenlyth any update on the status of the rollouts? Or any chance you could update us by answering some of the questions posed lately?
I’m sorry, Grävity, I currently have no further information other then my last post with the ETA that was provided to me. If I receive any further information, I will let you know. :)
#253 - Aug. 10, 2010, 10:37 p.m.
Blizzard Post
Q u o t e:
I really, really, REALLY hope this was just a case of a Blue working in the wrong department and so not having access to the proper information.
Well, this is not a tech issue. =p
#453 - Aug. 13, 2010, 3:27 a.m.
Blizzard Post
In response to the recent concerns in this thread, I have created a sticky that will have updated information regarding the contest. I have also consolidated most of the questions that were listed on this thread. I haven’t completely forgotten about you guys and haven’t dropped this thread since it was created; I have been following the thread carefully.

No new updates regarding the process has been provided as of yet, due to the fact that we have not hit the 2 week mark yet and as soon as I get any further information I will let you guys know in the following thread: http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=26435175985

Any further questions regarding the contest please email [email protected], thanks! -Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ