Looking to see if we can add a permanent section or sticky thread in the classifieds section for scammers/attempted scammers. Every time I place a WTB ad in that section, like clockwork, I get a PM like this (direct copy):

ANY time someone wants you to immediately contact them off forum, there is a 99.9% chance that they are phishing you big time. If we have a thread, naming names:
a. It will inform our membership
b. It will assist admins in removing scammer accounts

These people live in the shadows, waiting to pounce on a victim via PM.

 

I'm thinking that an instructional thread in that forum would be a good idea. "Naming names" to me misses the point, as there will always be a zillion more scammers - I think it best to educate and alert forum users so they can, on their own, recognize a scam.

 

I think the naming names portion is more just feedback to the admins, so they know which accounts need to be deleted, and in other cases, just be aware that there is some trouble between more established members. I would imagine that none of the admins have ever heard of member "GBart", who sent me that form scam message. So long as the admins can delete posts that are just argumentative (so it doesn't turn into a circus), this method seems to work well in other forums. No one wants their name up on the list, so if they were even thinking about not delivering as promised, it is a pretty strong community deterrent.

I do agree, a sticky with information on how not to be a victim is a great idea. Most people do not sit around all day thinking about clever ways to rip others off, so they often miss the signs, and become an unwitting victim. I can see that with some people, in terms of their level of excitement in how they respond to some ads. I sit there and think, "Oh, dear", when I see someone setting themselves up for a potential fall.

Most of us want to think that our small, tight knit community would never wrong another member, but the truth is that when money gets tight, people do dumb things that they ordinarily would never think of doing, otherwise. So, in short, I agree - education is a good idea!