Scam PMs from new members - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Heatercathodeshort · 22nd Jun 2022, 8:50 am

Nothing is free from this crime. No name, No profile, caution. Just my thoughts. John.

Paul Stenning · 22nd Jun 2022, 9:52 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesperrett

Another form that I moderate checks all new users against the Stopforumspam database using their API.

We do that too but that doesn't catch all of them.

Paul Stenning · 22nd Jun 2022, 10:10 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by rambo1152

I've now disabled "Receive Email from Other Members". Wouldn't it be better if this was the default condition?

There is no option to have that disabled by default.

However users with zero posts cannot email members through the forum, so that can't be used to send these scam messages.

Paul Stenning · 22nd Jun 2022, 12:37 pm

I have added this mod https://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=234294 and set it so that members with less than one post can only send PMs to moderators.

Hopefully this should stop this issue. But please still be wary of PMs similar to the examples in this thread from new members with low post counts.

murphyv310 · 22nd Jun 2022, 5:49 pm

Stopforumspam is very useful.
When I moderated on another non electronics forum you had to do many checks including looking at street view to validate it existed as full addresses were required on registration.

LeakyGrid · 27th Jul 2022, 5:18 pm

I wonder if I have fallen foul of this caution. I joined the forum in 2006, and have made a modest number of posts since then. Recently I sent a PM to another forum member, a prolific poster, but have not had a reply. There is, of course, no obligation for a member to reply to a PM, but it is disconcerting.

The Philpott · 27th Jul 2022, 6:32 pm

Roger, there is a limit to the number of messages the PM system holds, your messages may have gone into the ether if the recipient has a full quota and not done proper housekeeping.

Dave

Paul Stenning · 27th Jul 2022, 6:37 pm

No, if the recipient has used their full quota it would tell you when you try to send, and wouldn't let you send.

Probably best to send another PM in case it hasn't been spotted.

LeakyGrid · 27th Jul 2022, 6:48 pm

Thanks Paul,

I have no wish to bug a fellow member, so I will let it rest for the time being.

AC/HL · 27th Jul 2022, 10:46 pm

If you scroll down, there is an option to request a read receipt if in doubt.

60 oldjohn · 27th Jul 2022, 11:26 pm

Has the fellow member logged in since you sent the PM?

John.

paulsherwin · 28th Jul 2022, 10:10 am

Sometimes people just don't notice that they've received a PM if they weren't expecting it. The notification isn't particularly obvious, especially if you're concentrating on something else.

LeakyGrid · 28th Jul 2022, 10:39 am

The member has now replied to my PM. I should have been more patient, but this thread left me wondering. It's probably age-related

Regards to all,

Refugee · 28th Jul 2022, 3:09 pm

I am not completely sure but is there not a notification menu in the profile screen that allows you to set notifications to be more prominent.
I am a member of a non electronic forum that has about 20 options on the notification menu. I know we do not have that many.

Nickthedentist · 28th Jul 2022, 3:11 pm

I have to admit that I frequently read a new PM when I’m at work or out and about, intending to reply later, then forget all about it.

Paul Stenning · 28th Jul 2022, 3:38 pm

There is an option in "UserCP" - "Edit options" to "Show New Private Message Notification Pop-up" and this is enabled by default for new members. It is possible that some users will turn it off though (as I have done because it's annoying) and also that some ad-blockers etc will suppress it.

It also sends an email when you receive a new message, which again is enabled by default and can be switched off. Of course if your email address has changed or your email system regards them as spam you may never see them.

Paul Stenning · 28th Jul 2022, 3:39 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickthedentist

I have to admit that I frequently read a new PM when I’m at work or out and about, intending to reply later, then forget all about it.

My approach is to not delete the email notification of the new PM until I have dealt with the PM.

paulsherwin · 30th Oct 2022, 9:51 am

We are seeing more reports of suspicious offers in PMs from 'new members'. Please be very wary of any unsolicited PM from anyone with a zero or very low post count.

Typical example:

Quote:

John has Ekco sets for sale in good condition Here’s his email johnbogus01@gmail.com

HamishBoxer · 30th Oct 2022, 10:26 am

Thankfully had nothing for a good while and the one I flagged up was promptly dealt with by our excellent mods.

Station X · 30th Oct 2022, 11:07 am

These scammers copy existing posts from members and repost them under their own username in an attempt to gain credibility. Generally the moderators spot this and ban the member, but unfortunately this one slipped through the net. The copied post dated from 2006!

The offender is now banned.

22nd Jun 2022, 8:50 am	#21
Heatercathodeshort Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Warnham, West Sussex. 10 miles south of DORKING. Posts: 9,127	Re: Scam PMs from new members Nothing is free from this crime. No name, No profile, caution. Just my thoughts. John.

22nd Jun 2022, 12:37 pm	#24
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 8,967	Re: Scam PMs from new members I have added this mod https://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=234294 and set it so that members with less than one post can only send PMs to moderators. Hopefully this should stop this issue. But please still be wary of PMs similar to the examples in this thread from new members with low post counts. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

22nd Jun 2022, 5:49 pm	#25
murphyv310 Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, UK. Posts: 5,388	Re: Scam PMs from new members Stopforumspam is very useful. When I moderated on another non electronics forum you had to do many checks including looking at street view to validate it existed as full addresses were required on registration. __________________ Cheers, Trevor. MM0KJJ. RSGB, GQRP, WACRAL, K&LARC. Member

27th Jul 2022, 5:18 pm	#26
LeakyGrid Pentode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chandlers Ford Hampshire Posts: 144	Re: Scam PMs from new members I wonder if I have fallen foul of this caution. I joined the forum in 2006, and have made a modest number of posts since then. Recently I sent a PM to another forum member, a prolific poster, but have not had a reply. There is, of course, no obligation for a member to reply to a PM, but it is disconcerting. __________________ Roger I used to be able to do that.

27th Jul 2022, 6:32 pm	#27
The Philpott Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Colchester, Essex, UK. Posts: 4,026	Re: Scam PMs from new members Roger, there is a limit to the number of messages the PM system holds, your messages may have gone into the ether if the recipient has a full quota and not done proper housekeeping. Dave

27th Jul 2022, 6:37 pm	#28
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 8,967	Re: Scam PMs from new members No, if the recipient has used their full quota it would tell you when you try to send, and wouldn't let you send. Probably best to send another PM in case it hasn't been spotted. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

27th Jul 2022, 6:48 pm	#29
LeakyGrid Pentode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chandlers Ford Hampshire Posts: 144	Re: Scam PMs from new members Thanks Paul, I have no wish to bug a fellow member, so I will let it rest for the time being. __________________ Roger I used to be able to do that.

27th Jul 2022, 10:46 pm	#30
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,632	Re: Scam PMs from new members If you scroll down, there is an option to request a read receipt if in doubt. __________________ Bill, BVWS member

27th Jul 2022, 11:26 pm	#31
60 oldjohn Dekatron Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 3,821	Re: Scam PMs from new members Has the fellow member logged in since you sent the PM? John. __________________ My favourite text message "I'll be there in five minutes, if not read again"

28th Jul 2022, 10:10 am	#32
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,176	Re: Scam PMs from new members Sometimes people just don't notice that they've received a PM if they weren't expecting it. The notification isn't particularly obvious, especially if you're concentrating on something else.

28th Jul 2022, 10:39 am	#33
LeakyGrid Pentode Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chandlers Ford Hampshire Posts: 144	Re: Scam PMs from new members The member has now replied to my PM. I should have been more patient, but this thread left me wondering. It's probably age-related Regards to all, __________________ Roger I used to be able to do that.

28th Jul 2022, 3:09 pm	#34
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,536	Re: Scam PMs from new members I am not completely sure but is there not a notification menu in the profile screen that allows you to set notifications to be more prominent. I am a member of a non electronic forum that has about 20 options on the notification menu. I know we do not have that many.

28th Jul 2022, 3:11 pm	#35
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,574	Re: Scam PMs from new members I have to admit that I frequently read a new PM when I’m at work or out and about, intending to reply later, then forget all about it.

28th Jul 2022, 3:38 pm	#36
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 8,967	Re: Scam PMs from new members There is an option in "UserCP" - "Edit options" to "Show New Private Message Notification Pop-up" and this is enabled by default for new members. It is possible that some users will turn it off though (as I have done because it's annoying) and also that some ad-blockers etc will suppress it. It also sends an email when you receive a new message, which again is enabled by default and can be switched off. Of course if your email address has changed or your email system regards them as spam you may never see them. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

30th Oct 2022, 10:26 am	#39
HamishBoxer Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: W.Butterwick, near Doncaster UK. Posts: 8,878	Re: Scam PMs from new members Thankfully had nothing for a good while and the one I flagged up was promptly dealt with by our excellent mods. __________________ G8JET BVWS Archivist and Member V.M.A.R.S

30th Oct 2022, 11:07 am	#40
Station X Moderator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4, UK. Posts: 20,662	Re: Scam PMs from new members These scammers copy existing posts from members and repost them under their own username in an attempt to gain credibility. Generally the moderators spot this and ban the member, but unfortunately this one slipped through the net. The copied post dated from 2006! The offender is now banned. __________________ Graham. Forum Moderator Reach for your meter before you reach for your soldering iron.