Attempted Scam, but I'm smarter than they...

[Goofy_Bob]

I player just tried to scam me in my Sparrow Offer (shameless plug, I know )... I would love to shout out the player's name but I don't know if it's allowed to post a player title like that... If Mods say it's ok I'll do it, otherwise, PM if you need to know. Anyway, below is the message I sent to Contact Us:

Tonight a player named [xxxxxxxx] tried to scam me. I was in my Sparrow Costume Offer room and he came in a little after 9p PST. He came in, looked around, and said he accepted the trade. I'm trying to get a full Jack Sparrow costume, so this is a big trade, over 40 pieces are offered. He starts by asking how we do it - that I get Sparrow in the second window? I explained that there would be about "tent" (10) of my items for each piece of the Sparrow. He said ok. Before clearing the room I asked that I could see the Sparrow (as he wasn't wearing it). He showed me the boots and when I asked again he kept rushing the trade "yawn"ing and trying to hurry it. He said I'd see the rest of Sparrow. Feeling bad about this, I thought maybe he didn't want to change clothes, that he's show me in the trade window. I Cleared the room and accepted his Trade. I started to put items in the window. I asked to see all Sparrow, he put in only the boots. I asked again and he said his Inventory was too big, that he couldn't find the other pieces. I have Sparrow (this 2nd one is to be a gift to a friend) and I know the pieces are all next to each other. When I called him on it he said he had to go get the Sparrow and did I want to trade for the boots now? Nope. The trade window was closed and he said "haha" and left.

I have been playing for two years and I am an adult and smart enough to see the ploy. But a younger or less experienced player might have got fooled, giving this player 15 items, under the "get Sparrow in second window" trick and he could have left or maybe got another 15 for the boots. It could have been bad. Please check your records on the dialog, the attempt to scam was clear.

Again, I caught him in the act and was saavy enough to not lose anything. I'm not sure if they will do anything to him or not, since it wasn't a successful scam. I doubt it, but it's worth a try to report him and make this announcement.

Just remember people: When doing a trade, if the player on the other end is trying to rush you, is being evasive, or in anyway making you uncomfortable, it's best to second-guess the person, politely challenge them, and if they don't comply to what you feel is fair and safe behavior, then avoid the trade. Better safe and untraded, then sorry and scammed.

 

[Pirate-Emery]

A good rule of thumb is to be cautious of any trader that you don't know.

They may just go from trader to traitor in no time at all!

 

[the_jedi_master]

If they are trying to act as excited as you but are not willing to change thats fishy.

 

[Goofy_Bob]

They may just go from trader to traitor in no time at all!

Heh, good one Pirate.

I got the following generic response from VMK:

Hello and thank you for reporting this incident to VMK.

Please make sure your report included the name of the players that were involved in the incident and complete details (an account of what happened, the character names of the players and items involved) so we may investigate the incident properly. Please DO NOT send multiple reports about a single incident - this will only delay the investigation process. Our staff will investigate the incident and review your account based on the information you have provided.

Please remember VMK is a FREE online game. It may take up to 4 weeks to review your incident. You may or may not be contacted by a representative regarding this incident.

Please note: You are responsible for your trades. When you enter into a trade, you do so under your own authority. VMK is not responsible for items lost in bad trades or scams. If you got scammed by another player (because you didn't check the trade window or otherwise), it is your responsibility.

Remember, don’t trade with players who offer items that seem “too good to be true,” as in most cases these offers are false or misrepresented. Always review your trade window before completing the trade to make sure the offer is acceptable to both parties. When trading, always use your best judgment and trade with caution.

Thanks for contacting VMK.

--

VMK Player Support
http://www.vmk.com

Hmmm...

So I'm supposed to make sure my "report included the name of the players that were involved in the incident and complete details" ... If I hadn't included the information they tell me to include after I've already sent the message, you'd think they'd want you to send a follow-up? Nope - "DO NOT send multiple reports about a single incident" - Shouldn't they tell me this info before I send the message? Silly silly VMK.

 

[Adventuredaz]

LOL, On the plus side you didn't lose anything. Hmm. I notice VMK is a FREE game - this is completely new information to me

 

[SorcererDonald16]

Please remember VMK is a FREE online game. It may take up to 4 weeks to review your incident. You may or may not be contacted by a representative regarding this incident.

Oh brother, here they go again. This part of an auto-response was never included before was it?

Sorry you almost got conned, Goofy. That is what makes me mad; those of us who are older or do not trust as easily are usually pretty safe, but younguns and people who trust very easily can really be hurt by stuff like this. And it's such a shame.

 

[Diznygrl]

LOL, what is the deal with VMK emphasizing the FREE part all of a sudden? Is that going to be their excuse for everything now? "Sorry someone tried to scam you, but it's not our problem since VMK is FREE."

Their response makes no sense to me. You gave a detailed account of what happened, but they send a reply telling you to be more specific, but then tell you not to send in more reports! What the heck?

 

[Goofy_Bob]

...Their response makes no sense to me. You gave a detailed account of what happened, but they send a reply telling you to be more specific, but then tell you not to send in more reports! What the heck?

Well, you get what you pay for. And as we've learned we're not paying anything because VMK is FREE!

 

[Pirate-Emery]

LOL, what is the deal with VMK emphasizing the FREE part all of a sudden? Is that going to be their excuse for everything now? "Sorry someone tried to scam you, but it's not our problem since VMK is FREE."

Their response makes no sense to me. You gave a detailed account of what happened, but they send a reply telling you to be more specific, but then tell you not to send in more reports! What the heck?

BTW, I love your sig. Very witty!

Honestly, I don't care what they do to that ride: I won't ride it even if they include these Disney additions.