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Randy
Former Moderator
Joined: 17 Jun 2004
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 Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 3:02 pm Post subject: For your safety, ways of contact via IM have been removed |
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Every members' instant messaging contact information has been removed from Google Community. This was done in order to help improve the safety and security of our members' privacy. Because of the recent problem we've had with fraudulent requests for money, we chose to get rid of information regarding ways to instantly contact our members. Removing the contact information stops the scammer(s) ability to fraudulently contact our members. If you find any way that instant contact information is still listed, please PM either me or Darren with "URGENT" in the subject line.
I strongly encourage all Google Community members to read the following: Identify fraudulent e-mail and phishing schemes |
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RatPat
Medical Commander
Joined: 26 May 2005
Location: Spring Hill,Fl
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 4:04 pm Post subject: |
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If i may post...I belive if you wish to contact an Admin or Moderaor do it through The GC PMing System. I also think that The GC admins as well as Mods should Never use any IMing system for GC. Maybe this will make if safer. maybe i just restated what has been said...If you DO Decide use a Program you should Post it in a Forum, Then Lock it so no one can make any Replys to it. With that said maybe this Wont happean Again. Im not Blaming it on anyone for what they are doing or what they do, Simply stating a Better Security System for GC.
-Ratpat
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intelliot
Site Admin
Joined: 01 May 2004
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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You could add instant messenger info to your signature, at your own risk (just don't immediately trust everyone who contacts you).
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Randy
Former Moderator
Joined: 17 Jun 2004
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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| intelliot wrote: | | You could add instant messenger info to your signature, at your own risk (just don't immediately trust everyone who contacts you). |
I would highly recommend not doing that. It is best to just keep your settings as they are, and let the GC administration decide when it is safe to start displaying instant messaging info again.
Last edited by Randy on Mon Oct 10, 2005 5:55 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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intelliot
Site Admin
Joined: 01 May 2004
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:25 pm Post subject: |
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Why would more time make a difference? Even if the current scammer is prosecuted, what's to prevent someone else from coming by?
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Randy
Former Moderator
Joined: 17 Jun 2004
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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| intelliot wrote: | | Why would more time make a difference? Even if the current scammer is prosecuted, what's to prevent someone else from coming by? |
Nothing is to stop someone else from coming by. But, we know that at this time someone is attempting to scam our members. It is the right thing to do to protect them to the best of our abilities. If a known security threat is present, it would be irresponsible to not do anything to try to prevent the safety of our members from being endangered. Would you not agree? |
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intelliot
Site Admin
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:43 pm Post subject: |
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I do agree. It's always simple to contact a member via PM anyway. All major forums I can see, don't make instant messenger info tavailable. I think it's a good decision.
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Randy
Former Moderator
Joined: 17 Jun 2004
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 6:46 pm Post subject: |
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Okay, great. I think it is a good decision also. This may end up being a permanent change, but we'll have to see. Hopefully this scammer will learn a lesson somehow or another and we can go back to business as normal.  |
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mondine
Site Admin
Joined: 15 Sep 2005
Location: Vancouver, BC.
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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That's probably a sensible precaution to make, although unfortunate that it's necesary.
I don't really see it as a problem, as the GC PM system is there, if someone wants to request contact information. And that way, the Community resources are there to use, to see someone's profile, and maybe look over their posting history, to get an idea of whom you're talking to. And the credentials of people claiming to be 'official representatives' are easy to check.
Of course, there's no substitute for common sense. Any request for personal, and especially financial details should be regarded with caution. And a 'business' proposal from a stranger via instant message should immediately be viewed with skepticism.
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AmericanIdiot1721
Senior Googler
Joined: 02 Oct 2005
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| Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 8:48 pm Post subject: |
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I agree. I don't think there's anything wrong with the PM system, just how users are sure if the supposed 'admins' or 'moderators' are the actual admins or moderators.
A good idea would be to PM a member prior to talking to them on IM services.
It's amazing how such an incident would spark the whole GC process and change it's whole opinion on the issue of security...
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Aírmanareiks Şiudareiks
Vir Leonis Scandiae
Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 12:16 am Post subject: |
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| Yeah, I agree with the safety measures. I actual am very impressed by the way the situation is being handled. |
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darrenstraight
Site Admin & Platinum Member
Joined: 25 Jul 2004
Location: England
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| Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 1:55 am Post subject: |
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*steps over some quarrels*
| Eiríkr Rauği wrote: | | Yeah, I agree with the safety measures. I actual am very impressed by the way the situation is being handled. |
I'm glad you agree with us on that one Eric.
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Aírmanareiks Şiudareiks
Vir Leonis Scandiae
Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 2:45 am Post subject: |
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Haha yeah, I usually don't agree, now do I? 
This is a mini-crisis for GC since the scammer is not showing any willingness to stop. Darren theorized the rogue to be Matt of Australia, but Laurent, who had recently been cheated out of his GC account and credit card details by apparently the same person, recently proposed an alternate theory presenting that the culprit comes from Iraq, and goes by the alias of "Hoe-Mow". Whatever the truth is, the fugitive must be apprehended and punished. Afterwards, he must be coerced into returning the purloined money and also into compensating additional damages to the victims. Moreover, the chaos insinuated by this intrinsically vile scoundrel must be negated with the joint initiative of all the members of our community. |
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cvrk3
Google Guru
Joined: 05 Jul 2004
Location: India
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| Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 7:45 am Post subject: |
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| right and timely decision! keep it up moderators!! |
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RatPat
Medical Commander
Joined: 26 May 2005
Location: Spring Hill,Fl
2201.90 GC$
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| Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 11:06 am Post subject: |
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Lol maybe We should have a security advisor...Lol i have no clue a better security suggestion.
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