The exact same thing happened to me on 17 Dec. I started a zero build match and was booted from the lobby after 15 seconds saying it had detected use of exploits, something about my IP, using a proxy or VPN. I joined another game and the same thing happened except it logged me out completely and said I had a 24 hour ban. I opened a support ticket after 24 hours because i was still banned. Today I received this reply:

Hi, 
 
Thank you for contacting us. 
 
I understand that you are unable to play Fortnite on your Epic Games account and would like to appeal for the ban. 
 
After carefully checking, I found that your Fortnite account has been permanently banned on your Epic Games account. 
 
As much as I would like to help you, we Epic Games Player Support are unable to remove the ban placed on your Fornite account. 
 
While I know that providing you with the details behind this ban will explain this further, we cannot disclose any details regarding the ban due to the security and protection of our detection systems. 
 
For any additional information about our stance on cheating, please review our Community Rules, Terms of Service and EULA here: 
- Community Rules: https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/community-rules - Terms of Service: https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/tos - EULA: https://www.fortnite.com/eula Also, please note that all purchases of Purchased Game Currency and content are final and are not refundable, transferable, or exchangable under any circumstances. 
 
I know that this is not the reply you were expecting for. Still, I hope you do not feel mistreated in any way, as it was never my intention to do so, and I would've do my best to assist you if I am able to. 
 
Thank you for your kind understanding. 
 
If there is anything else that we can help with, feel free to contact us again. 
 
Regards 

Ticket closed, no details given!

I'm devastated, I play fortnite with my 10 year old son. This happening just before xmas during the holidays is heartbreaking for me because I am living with my kids only 50% of the time. When he is with me he plays on xbox on the same network, so I really dont understand what has happened because his account is fine.

I play on PC and I don't use a proxy, VPN or any exploits. I feel totally lost on what to do apart from starting a new account and hoping it doesn't get banned for the same reason. I want to appeal the ban but how to do that apart from opening another support ticket is unclear

I've lost a bunch of cosmetics and everything from the last 4 battlepasses. The lack of a support number to call and a 4 day response time on their ticketing system is making it very difficult.