21 replies to this topic

[Georgina]

Ok this one is really just a question for the mods but its good to have everyone's input anyway.


We have a problem, when someone scams, and its being looked into, it can take days before a ban.

We really need a contingency plan to stop/reduce other scams being made whilst under investigation.

I suggest either a temp warning on trade score i.e Possible scammer - beware! type message. Or a temp forum ban or something?

I lost nearly $20 this week and other members have lost more, from users who are being investigated but not yet banned.

[jaredennisclark]

Unless we have a 'team' of members devoted to investigating any claims, it will take time.

The problem I have is that even a forum ban can be pointless considering they'll just use a Proxy and come right back. New members who aren't as acquainted with our members need to be educated. They need a way of knowing who has proven themselves to be trusted. We also need to encourage the use of middle-men on all newer accounts.

I'm not sure the problem is that these people aren't being banned quickly enough, I think it goes deeper than that.

[Ambition]

Really? I wasn't even aware there was this much scamming going on. I guess I've been lucky; then again, I avoid trading with people who don't seem trustworthy.

[jaredennisclark]

Really? I wasn't even aware there was this much scamming going on. I guess I've been lucky; then again, I avoid trading with people who don't seem trustworthy.

I don't think there has been. It's mainly been one person over the past week or so.

Even a single person is a problem that needs to be dealt with though.

[Georgina]

Unless we have a 'team' of members devoted to investigating any claims, it will take time.

The problem I have is that even a forum ban can be pointless considering they'll just use a Proxy and come right back. New members who aren't as acquainted with our members need to be educated. They need a way of knowing who has proven themselves to be trusted. We also need to encourage the use of middle-men on all newer accounts.

I'm not sure the problem is that these people aren't being banned quickly enough, I think it goes deeper than that.

Sure it not really about the time, i tottaly understand that as i have been involved with investigations frequently.


But there needs to be a plan inbetween that time, imo. To stop them contacting other codex members under that username on codex.

Also I would LOVE to see a brand new member restriction on trading. GG has a 10 posts and 1 day register rule or something similar. Ive seen people sign up here a hour ago and their second post is wanting to purchase something. So risky.

[Hydrogen]

Sure it not really about the time, i tottaly understand that as i have been involved with investigations frequently.


But there needs to be a plan inbetween that time, imo. To stop them contacting other codex members under that username on codex.

Also I would LOVE to see a brand new member restriction on trading. GG has a 10 posts and 1 day register rule or something similar. Ive seen people sign up here a hour ago and their second post is wanting to purchase something. So risky.

That sounds like something we could implement. Maybe not exactly like gg but something similar. I want to move away from basing everything off posts though. I'll give some thought to it but please also keep these sort of awesome suggestions coming!

[jaredennisclark]

Is it possible that a scammer could create two separate accounts here on Codex for the purpose of increasing their own 'trader score'?

I ask this because I've noticed a few threads being created by relatively new/inactive members who are selling some high-priced items. Some of these people have positive trader scores coming from other new/inactive accounts.

Doing something like this could make a potential scammer seem more legit, and thus more likely to successfully scam someone.

Edited by jaredennisclark, 23 November 2010 - 01:42 PM.

[Qwerty54]

It is very possible they are doing that. I think it should be looked into if new members have the same IP as other members.

[jaredennisclark]

It is very possible they are doing that. I think it should be looked into if new members have the same IP as other members.

Proxies my friend. Proxies.

I'm only suggesting that if this does turn out to be a problem, some revamping of the trading score system may be in order.
This is all hypothetical though, I might just be paranoid.

[Waser Lave]

Always use an official middleman when trading with somebody you don't know or trust and this problem is largely solved.

[Georgina]

Is it possible that a scammer could create two separate accounts here on Codex for the purpose of increasing their own 'trader score'?

I ask this because I've noticed a few threads being created by relatively new/inactive members who are selling some high-priced items. Some of these people have positive trader scores coming from other new/inactive accounts.

Doing something like this could make a potential scammer seem more legit, and thus more likely to successfully scam someone.

I keep a pretty tight ship on feedback normaly, anyone who doesnt include a link they disscussed a trade in, either PM or thread, and i dissaproove the feedback.

Only things when im not only the feedback score shows on profiles even before its approved by me. So maybe that might be somthing to look at?

[Noitidart]

I keep a pretty tight ship on feedback normaly, anyone who doesnt include a link they disscussed a trade in, either PM or thread, and i dissaproove the feedback.

Only things when im not only the feedback score shows on profiles even before its approved by me. So maybe that might be somthing to look at?

Great job g keep it we really appreciate it.

[Sweeney]

Anyone who is under investigation for scamming should be banned from the trading section, until the situation is resolved.
If they whine, fuck them. This is not a democractic rebublic.

[Georgina]

Sweeney be wise peoples.

[ArticTheTiger]

I would suggest a trading details page with a summary of the trade i.e. "*USER* bought item/account/pet off *USER* using *MIDDLEMAN*/NO-ONE as middleman: *MESSAGE FROM USER*"

Kinda like ebay....

The no middleman on every trade would be a red flag, if they say they used a middleman, the person could validate that with the middlemen, in fact, maybe the middlemen would actually keep a log on it's own account trading log, and if it doesn't match, then you know it's a lie.

It would take some extra effort but this could be potentially a very smooth system.

[Georgina]

I would suggest a trading details page with a summary of the trade i.e. "*USER* bought item/account/pet off *USER* using *MIDDLEMAN*/NO-ONE as middleman: *MESSAGE FROM USER*"

Kinda like ebay....

The no middleman on every trade would be a red flag, if they say they used a middleman, the person could validate that with the middlemen, in fact, maybe the middlemen would actually keep a log on it's own account trading log, and if it doesn't match, then you know it's a lie.

It would take some extra effort but this could be potentially a very smooth system.

Every middleman should be making sure they receive middleman rep from the trades they are involved in. This should show the users who are using a middleman.

I think that should kinda solve what you mean

[Whyumad]

Aren't there a whole bunch of trustworthy middlemen to do the safe trading?

Really? I wasn't even aware there was this much scamming going on. I guess I've been lucky; then again, I avoid trading with people who don't seem trustworthy.

[Scot]

Aren't there a whole bunch of trustworthy middlemen to do the safe trading?

People are impatient and they want their money now NOW NOW.

[Whyumad]

Patience is a virtue.. haha "you must learn young grasshopper"
should just have that flashing around in the trading section to remind people..

People are impatient and they want their money now NOW NOW.

[coqs]

I kind of agree with Sweeney... maybe it's better to have them guilty until proven otherwise instead of having scammers on the loose...

I'm not much into trading, but I'm kind of worried about this too

[Barophobia]

Perhaps a watch list stickied at the top would be good.

[Whyumad]

Perhaps a watch list stickied at the top would be good.

Don't they have a link at the top to remind people?