I don't see a rating system being relevant to this forum.

Since the classifieds are for participating members, most people's "character" is pretty much obvious.

The people that are most likely to be "untrustworthy" are very low posts, and would not have had any sales/interactions that would have any "rating" in the first place.

In a commerce venue, ratings may have more relevance, but I don't see it solving the problems encountered with scammers/thieves. Most of them are "one and gone" incidents.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...0071194?r=2270071194

Don't. Use. Simple. PASSWORDS!!

A password manager will generate complex passwords, individual for each different login, and keep them safe for easy use.

Timezone Showcase and Sales Corner have a small camera logo on posts that include photos.

If there is no camera, then I skip the listing and save time and sometimes aggravation.

Would you consider the auto-inserted logo? Thank you.

.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...0071194?r=2270071194

Don't. Use. Simple. PASSWORDS!!

To expand upon this:

• As para wrote: Don't use simple passwords. Or passwords derived from personal information.
  
• Don't use the same or similar passwords on multiple sites.
  
• If the site allows it, and your email service supports it, consider using tagged (aka: "plussed") email addresses. (This is particularly valuable if your email address, rather than a username, is used for login.)
  
• Beware of phishing attempts. (E.g.: Never click on a URL in email that tells you to log into whatever to check or update your account.)
  
• To keep track of it all: Use a password manager.
  

Re: Password managers: Some allow you to store sites' URLs, along with the other information. This allows you, when you want to go to a site, to open your password manager and copy-and-paste the URL into your browser, rather than manually typing it in. This prevents typo'ing a URL, ending up at an account credentials phishing site that looks like the Real Deal, and giving your credentials away.

Yes: All of this is a Royal PITA. Sadly, it's part and parcel of the digital world in which we live today. You can either come to grips with it or let it fu... run you over.

quote:

Originally posted by XFIVER:...
Things certainly have changed around here. Sad.

No, things have changed in the world.

It is not the typical members scamming members. It is thieves that have always been around that simply come to this house.

Believe it or not, the membership can stop most of this in its tracks by doing the things Para has asked, and others have offered as protection and assurance that the person is likely OK to deal with.

Want to see the end to the Classifieds, that mindset is the path to that.

Posting in your add; "I may have what your looking for, email sent" "interested, email sent", "I'll take it" or anything that shows they are a member, and it provides the post showing the member's link to their profile.

Having them send you pictures with you requesting very specific item included that would be difficult to photoshop.

Asking for a few simple things and the person balks, call that the confirmation you needed to save yourself some grief.

Last, do not let greed or the desire to "get the best deal" cause you to lose everything.

You are a frog at the river (your place), do not let the scorpions fool you. You do not need them. They need you to survive.

I think Sigmonkey suggestions are right but there may be another issue causing a lot of this.

If you look at the post count of the sellers and buyers, a lot of them are people that are here mostly to transact business, not to contribute.
The typical post count when you scan through the Lounge and other sections is much higher.

Also click on the members info for many of those low post count classified ads and you'll see many that are almost exclusively here conduct business.

I understand that management overlooks this as some may choose to stick around and it could bring in new contributing members.
There isn't any quick and easy fix to the scammer problem. Lot's of other places on the internet are always dealing with this too.

quote:

Originally posted by XFIVER:
Things certainly have changed around here. Sad.

Nothing has changed around here. These thieves are hitting all forums where members buy and sell and we are doing our best to combat it. You're welcome.

Are there more scumbags now Para or are they just getting bolder?

yes

How "sad" for SIGforum, that this guy is all over the place.

https://www.google.com/search?...tglock65%40gmail.com

Your comment makes me wonder about you, XFIVER.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
yes

Truth.

I have a couple WTBs up on another site. Both have attracted scammers. One went so far as to send me a photo of a fake driver's license to "prove" his legitimacy. No money sent by me. Low or no post counts are a big red flag.

Be skeptical, friends.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
Your comment makes me wonder about you, XFIVER.

Me too ... after a bit of research.

quote:

Originally posted by XFIVER:
Wonder about me how exactly?

Because I think it’s sad that some ahole scammers have forced us to question transactions on this forum as genuine? Sad that my first WTB ad response was a scammer?

Because I haven’t posted in a while?

So you call me a whiner? How mature. This is a great forum with a lot of great people and great information. I have had a lot of good transactions through this forum over the years. It’s just unfortunate that we have to have our guard up now instead of being able to be trust things like the old days.

There is nothing you or anyone else can do about it, it’s just a sign of the times.

I'd quit digging were I you, just saying.

quote:

Originally posted by XFIVER:
So you call me a whiner? How mature.

You want to talk about maturity when you don't even have the mind to be grateful for being provided a resource like this, free of charge?

I don't give the first fuck what you think about me bristling at someone degrading this forum.

quote:

There is nothing you or anyone else can do about it, it’s just a sign of the times.

No, don't try to change the meaning of your post. You said:

quote:

Things certainly have changed around here. Sad.

"around here". Not in in general, not on other forums as well; this forum, specifically. That what you said. I won't tolerate that shit, especially from someone using Classifieds.

And I'll tell you something else- I have done far more than most other forum admins to combat these thieves. It's the plain truth. Just ask the members here.
You think there's nothing to be done about it? You're wrong, and so are the do-nothing admins who just sit back and watch this shit happen. Members have told me that that is literally what they have been told on other boards: "There's not much we can do about it." That's not true.

This scammer you warned us about? Way ahead of you:

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...020048094#8020048094

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...790002194#1790002194

You let me worry about how I apportion my energy. And this sarcastic stuff about how I know your intent better than you? Yeah, save it. What I know is human nature. To say that no one can divine the intent of others is damn silly.

"It's your sandbox" and "How about a hug?" are not phrases one would ordinarily expect to see in a contrite apology.

quote:

Originally posted by XFIVER:
How about a hug?

Not my sandbox, nor would I ever dream of thinking either wise ... but a hug would be the last thing I would ever think of with you.

As I said before ... this is Para's bbq and it tastes just fine to me.

quote:

Originally posted by hjs157:
"It's your sandbox" and "How about a hug?" are not phrases one would ordinarily expect to see in a contrite apology.

That's because it wasn't an apology. One does not say "I apologize if..."

One says "I apologize."

And offering me a hug is barely worth acknowledging.

Also, note that he attributes miscommunication in instances which lack face-to-face cues as being solely "the emotions of the receiver change the intent of the writer," when, in fact, the failing can be and often is on the part of the writer.

In this case, though, I think I got it correct, right out of the chute.

Para, you must have done some carpentry in the past because you hit the nail right on the head.

"Things have changed around here" is such a useless statement without context. What's changed? If your opinion is that the changes are bad, explain it. Make a suggestion. Help us out. A good, needed, appropriate change is good, no?