WRT dodgy transfers, I'm wondering how one would prove that so-and-so is or isn't my cousin/in-law/same sex partner/hetero life partner (or whatever connection is claimed)? Serious question. Family structures are increasingly complex these days. What paperwork could VA ask for when their system flags dodgy activity?
I've been following developments with interest, but not because I've done anything wrong. I don't use VA and my QF account is legitimate.
However, I would like to say that while those who haven't done anything wrong shouldn't feel worried (as has been said over and over), not that I know individual circumstances but I'm lead to believe some who were targeted also weren't doing anything wrong. If this is the case, it's not so much about not worrying as you'll get your accounts back but the fact that they've essentially said you're guilty until proven innocent, caused emotional distress AND if a stat dec is required they expect you to stop what you are doing to get one done as if your time isn't valuable. So if you're "audited" for innocent transfers I'd be billing them for your time, as that seems fair.
Here's the thing about this process - the "guilty until proven innocent" thing. I was trying to explain this issue to Mum the other day and why some people, even if they earnestly haven't done anything wrong, are annoyed. I used the analogy (possibly incorrect) that it's a bit like a murder happening and they knew it was someone in a block of residences. So the solution is to imprison everyone in the block, then interrogate each of them until they work out who is innocent and who is not. But until they are convinced that you didn't do anything wrong, you stay in jail. Even if you are released without charge, fact of the matter was, you were in jail and unable to do a thing.
Notwithstanding someone coming up with an adequate legal argument (of which has been alluded to on this thread, but not elaborated), given this is VA's domain, they seem free to do whatever they want in handling this. Thus, they can ask for stat decs. That doesn't mean they have to take your word for it, and can still close your account. Of course, one other point of view is that if they cannot be absolutely certain, then they should give one the benefit of the doubt. Some people may just lose their accounts in "breakage", i.e. they will not follow the procedure and the time limits will expire, thus their accounts get cancelled (similar to being found guilty in absentia).
Asking for a stat dec is rather interesting in that, at least the way I understand it, you don't just flimsily ask one to fill it out. It's a serious, legal instrument; not just some cavalier declaration.
If someone really wanted to push this into the legal domain, it'd be interesting to see if VA would actually invest the time to pursue this in court (most airlines don't have the time or resources to dedicate to these). If they do go to court, I suppose they would be using those stat decs against some people.
I don't think VA would be too concerned about brand damage or people leaving. They know they have success with VFF because they have awards to back it. If people left VFF in light of these kinds of stories, where would they go? Qantas? Many of them left Qantas in retaliation in the first place, along with its weaknesses (which continue to persist) - why would or should they go back? If you were closed by VA, how much noise would you make to warn others?
Most people are not as points rich or using the system to its fullest potential - including many elite members - so they wouldn't even be close to skirting an audit. From their point of view by only getting the surface context (which has not even entered mainstream media yet, not even AusBT), most of those members would probably believe "if you haven't done anything wrong, you'll be OK" and the rest get what they deserve. That is, overall, no sympathy.
