Private message scammers on Photrio

[Sean]

Hi All,

This looks to be getting more sophisticated with new accounts sending out private messages. They generally have no post history and are trying to make deals on various items they claim to possess.

Today I will be implementing a promotion system that works as follows:

New accounts = "Member" users and will have no ability to send private messages.

After 20 forum posts, the "Member" account will be promoted to allow private messages but will remain listed as "Member". The access control will be behind the scenes.

This should be enough of a deterrence for these scammers.

That being said, I would always be wary of new(ish) accounts trying to make deals within the private message system. Buyer beware, etc.

Thanks!
Sean

 

[Sirius Glass]

Thank you for catching these fiends and neutralizing them.

 

[jay moussy]

Excellent!
I did receive such an sneaky pm, a while ago, and the mod on duty removed the new account promptly.

 

[AgX]

This PM scamming issue is fairly new at Photrio, yet countless other forae must be affected by such.

 

[pentaxuser]

Thanks for these actions Sean. It seems to me that if new members were to object to these new rules then it is questionable if we want such new members, given the very real problem that scammers can use things as they are to creep under the radar and spoil matters for all genuine members

pentaxuser

 

[MattKing]

Thanks Sean,
Do I assume correctly that new users will receive a clear explanation about these and other spam and scam preventing systems?
I ask, because I seem to recall seeing posts from new members who become confused why they aren't able to do certain things.
And will moderators have the ability to remove these restrictions when requested and where appropriate?
And how about those amazing members who have been registered for years, but have almost no posts?

 

[Sean]

Thanks Sean,
Do I assume correctly that new users will receive a clear explanation about these and other spam and scam preventing systems?
I ask, because I seem to recall seeing posts from new members who become confused why they aren't able to do certain things.
And will moderators have the ability to remove these restrictions when requested and where appropriate?
And how about those amazing members who have been registered for years, but have almost no posts?

Hi Matt,

I have a welcome PM that goes to new members and will add this to the welcome message. I will also do a notice page top that lets them know some functionality will be limited until a post threshold has been reached. There will be no difference at all to existing members other than being unable to PM. I can manually give out PM rights to those who only lurk if needed. I feel like that would be rare? Thanks

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

Thanks, Sean, for staying on top of this situation. It's taking way too much moderation time.

 

[Sean]

Ok, the system is in place and tested. It appears to be working well

Thanks, Sean, for staying on top of this situation. It's taking way too much moderation time.

It was definitely getting annoying!

 

[B+WFriend]

Hi All,

This looks to be getting more sophisticated with new accounts sending out private messages. They generally have no post history and are trying to make deals on various items they claim to possess.

Today I will be implementing a promotion system that works as follows:

New accounts = "Member" users and will have no ability to send private messages.

After 20 forum posts, the "Member" account will be promoted to allow private messages but will remain listed as "Member". The access control will be behind the scenes.

This should be enough of a deterrence for these scammers.

That being said, I would always be wary of new(ish) accounts trying to make deals within the private message system. Buyer beware, etc.

Thanks!
Sean

Hi Sean, this is a good idea, thanks for keeping the chaff at bay. However, it looks like I got bumped out of some privileges as I haven’t been using the forums much in the last few years. I was very active back in the Apug days. How can I send messages and be allowed privileges to reply again? Many of the older threads where I was in conversation I can no longer reply to.
Thanks.