whymeintrouble
03-29-2006, 12:29 AM
Hi all,
I was looking to see if there was anything about this in the FAQ for the site and since there isn't, here I am
First off, I know this is just a 'little' homely website. but even these websites need to be careful now-adays. here a just a few words of advice on what to post or not post in Forums in general, and specifically anywhere on the internet.
1. Never give real name, atreet address, phone number, or any other personal information that may identify who you are in an open forum. You ask then how do I post things in the Classified forum? use the Private Messaging system. it is here as a tool, as well as a way to keep the forums uncluttered.
2. Always get confirmation of who you are talking to, especially if you are sending money and receiving something by mail. For example, get a house phone number. Call the number to verify the individual whom you are selling to.The house number will be attached to an address. so if anything goes wrong, you have a way of identifying the individual(s). Also, make sure to call this person at least once at that number before the deal is done, again for verification of that persons identity.
3. Picture is proof. get as many pictures as possible of what you are purchasing. the more pics you get, the more you can see as to what you are getting, or not getting.Plus, if you are selling, you can use it as proof to what you have sold.
4. if possible, use a verified money transfer agent, such as Paypal.com (www.paypal.com)(never western union!). If not, use the good ol' USPS money order. if someone decides not to send it to you, then it becomes a federal issue, not just a civil issue.
I know all this may seem like common sense, but you would be suprised at how many places I have seen addresses, phone numbers and names of people just posted in an open forum. For $50 more, you can get that persons social security number. Then, it is the game of 'let's see how many credit cards in my name the bad guy can get'. I know of a couple of people whom this has happened to. Not good, not to mention Identity theft, which is the <b>ABSOLUTE</b> worst nightmare.
If anyone has anything else to add, drop it in! thanks for looking here :)
I was looking to see if there was anything about this in the FAQ for the site and since there isn't, here I am
First off, I know this is just a 'little' homely website. but even these websites need to be careful now-adays. here a just a few words of advice on what to post or not post in Forums in general, and specifically anywhere on the internet.
1. Never give real name, atreet address, phone number, or any other personal information that may identify who you are in an open forum. You ask then how do I post things in the Classified forum? use the Private Messaging system. it is here as a tool, as well as a way to keep the forums uncluttered.
2. Always get confirmation of who you are talking to, especially if you are sending money and receiving something by mail. For example, get a house phone number. Call the number to verify the individual whom you are selling to.The house number will be attached to an address. so if anything goes wrong, you have a way of identifying the individual(s). Also, make sure to call this person at least once at that number before the deal is done, again for verification of that persons identity.
3. Picture is proof. get as many pictures as possible of what you are purchasing. the more pics you get, the more you can see as to what you are getting, or not getting.Plus, if you are selling, you can use it as proof to what you have sold.
4. if possible, use a verified money transfer agent, such as Paypal.com (www.paypal.com)(never western union!). If not, use the good ol' USPS money order. if someone decides not to send it to you, then it becomes a federal issue, not just a civil issue.
I know all this may seem like common sense, but you would be suprised at how many places I have seen addresses, phone numbers and names of people just posted in an open forum. For $50 more, you can get that persons social security number. Then, it is the game of 'let's see how many credit cards in my name the bad guy can get'. I know of a couple of people whom this has happened to. Not good, not to mention Identity theft, which is the <b>ABSOLUTE</b> worst nightmare.
If anyone has anything else to add, drop it in! thanks for looking here :)