Holiday Reminder - It's not always what it seems!

[Sandy321]

You can't use post count to determine scammers. Years ago I frequented an AOL board for military spouses, and there was a girl that posted. She was apparently dating a young Marine. Over the course of 18 months, her life played out like a soap opera culminating with the death of her parents, her fiance being shot, and then her giving birth to triplets. I am proud to say I thought she was fishy from the start, but half the board fell for her never ending drama and ended up sending her money and gifts totaling several hundred dollars. She was eventually found out because her pretend fiance posted that the babies weighed 8 pounds each. Turns out she was a total scammer.

You'll see that here too. Some are sly and build up to their begging slowly. They paint sad stories about their kids to play on your sympathy.

wonder if it was the same one who posted on ivillage a few years ago - she was very convincing - but someone called her on the drama, and actually started to figure out if it was true - called the base - and the local newspaper - it really blew up as a SCAM --

her "dh" posted we were all so mean that she committed suicide, and hoped we were happy.... again, since she had posted so often, she did have some real facts - funny how her obit never appeared...

nowadays - the local schools do have programs that do the legwork for us.

 

[undertheradar]

Are these threads on the Budget Board or the Community Board? Because I haven't noticed anything related to the above on Budget. Maybe I'm just skimming as I look for deals and bypassing the juicy stuff...

One of the classic posters is in this thread.

 

[soccerchick]

I must just be cold hearted, because I never recognize these threads, even when people are posting about them. Probably because it would never in a million years occur to me to send money/gifts to someone I only know through a message board like this.

(I participate in another online community, but many of us have met in real life or can vouch for each other, and we do things for each other all the time. But it's a small closed community.)

I still have no idea what posts anyone is referring to.

Check out the lego thread...

 

[SaraJayne]

You'll find them on both, but it's more common on the community board.

I've found more of them on the BB than the CB.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

I've found more of them on the BB than the CB.

True. Some never leave the budget board even when their topic has nothing to do with budget. The target audience is those who would be more willing to give.

 

[Lucky4me]

Just say no to holiday giving on the internet.
There are so many alternatives in your community where you know the gift will go to someone in need.

This topic is great!!
It should be posted on the community board as well.

 

[marthachick]

One of the classic posters is in this thread.

My bet is on ........................

And it's not a holiday without a Honeybaked Ham!!!

Quality is everything, especially when you deserve it!

 

[C.Ann]

Great post and a good reminder.. I ran across something here on the BB last year that had me very confused (the kind of responses that people were giving) and then someone pointed me in the direction of "why" and it all made sense..

It still kind of bothers me though - because I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt rather than just leaping to conclusions - but the incident last year made me realize just how careful you have to be..

 

[Minnesota!]

Can someone PM me and fill me in? I am kind of a softie and would like to know who/what to steer clear of, please

TIA!

 

[Swan4Me]

Can someone PM me and fill me in? I am kind of a softie and would like to know who/what to steer clear of, please

TIA!

There's a couple laundry related threads here that are setting up the annual begging spree

 

[Gr8t Fan]

There's a couple laundry related threads here that are setting up the annual begging spree

 

[Alesia]

Can someone PM me and fill me in? I am kind of a softie and would like to know who/what to steer clear of, please

TIA!

It's pretty simple to avoid getting scammed: don't send money or gifts to people you only know through the internet.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

Can someone PM me and fill me in? I am kind of a softie and would like to know who/what to steer clear of, please

TIA!

Stay away from any post that includes the words "money is tight right now/this year". Most internet scammers, not just on this website, uses these words to set the scene.

As you are reading a post, if you can hear the sound of a violin in the background and picture the sad eyes of Puss in Boots, you might be onto something.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I must have been gone from the BB boards a little too long. Noticed my thread, now I need to find the offenders and figure out how we can "steer" them into the direction where they can find some "local" help rather than people on a board who do not know them.

Just a quick reminder, this holiday time will be harder on your friends and neighbors than years before. Give locally to charities that you are comfortable with and or directly to the person.

Anyone can be who they want on the internet. You DO NOT know if they are telling the truth and if they are really truly in major need, they DO have local resources to help them!!

 

[okeydokey]

Stay away from any post that includes the words "money is tight right now/this year". Most internet scammers, not just on this website, uses these words to set the scene.

As you are reading a post, if you can hear the sound of a violin in the background and picture the sad eyes of Puss in Boots, you might be onto something.

And it's always for the poor kids, they deserve so much better.

 

[marlynnp]

It's pretty simple to avoid getting scammed: don't send money or gifts to people you only know through the internet.

Exactly!

 

[Marionnette]

Be on the lookout for posts that request help acquiring specific things...

...a retired collectible doll
...a hard to find figurine or Lego set
...an item that can only be purchased in Disney
...a piece of sports memorabilia that cannot be bought in the OP's locale​

In many cases the OP of those posts has a hard luck story. Job loss. Illnesses. Lots of bills. Great kid. Rough year. Deserves a good Christmas. Don't know what I'm going to do.

If you happen to read any posts like that, remember that there are people in your own neighborhood who are going thru rough times, have great kids, and deserve a break. Get in touch with your schools' PTA or Home & School Assoc. to offer assistance. They can identify the really needy families that are scraping by right under your nose. Neighbors who are too proud to show their needs. Too proud to ask for assistance. Help them instead of an internet stranger who may just turn around and sell your generous donation on ebay.

 

[4forMe]

Stay away from any post that includes the words "money is tight right now/this year". Most internet scammers, not just on this website, uses these words to set the scene.

As you are reading a post, if you can hear the sound of a violin in the background and picture the sad eyes of Puss in Boots, you might be onto something.

Excellent advice!

Be on the lookout for posts that request help acquiring specific things...

...a retired collectible doll
...a hard to find figurine or Lego set
...an item that can only be purchased in Disney
...a piece of sports memorabilia that cannot be bought in the OP's locale​

In many cases the OP of those posts has a hard luck story. Job loss. Illnesses. Lots of bills. Great kid. Rough year. Deserves a good Christmas. Don't know what I'm going to do.

If you happen to read any posts like that, remember that there are people in your own neighborhood who are going thru rough times, have great kids, and deserve a break. Get in touch with your schools' PTA or Home & School Assoc. to offer assistance. They can identify the really needy families that are scraping by right under your nose. Neighbors who are too proud to show their needs. Too proud to ask for assistance. Help them instead of an internet stranger who may just turn around and sell your generous donation on ebay.

More great advice!

I also want to echo a PP (Magic Mom) by stating once again you can't go by the number of posts a person has to determine who is a scammer. For example, someone might have 2,000 plus posts yet you still need to be aware.

 

[rachel09985]

Does this seriously happen on these boards?? People coming here to try to get something?? If so, I need stories!

Also, I don't get why you would send something to someone anyways. You have to pay for the postage after all.

 

[disneyofcourse]

Does this seriously happen on these boards?? People coming here to try to get something?? If so, I need stories!

Also, I don't get why you would send something to someone anyways. You have to pay for the postage after all.

We need reenactments of the good ones...