No
Person still has their account I saw do it
I see lots do it
If you know so much better than Aerafield does, why don't you just ask these people you're so certain have done it before? Or can you not actually name anyone that's done this because there are none?
Genuine question. I've never heard of this resetting ladder rank for free. Besides not playing ranked for a month so you lose it. Even then, though, you get it back roughly where you were before as long as you're not playing like you've forgotten how to tie your shoes.