Online Imposters: How Would You Identify Them?

by Scully 102 Replies latest members adult

• 

  hillary_step

  Sad Emo,

  But how can you really find out whether somebody is conning you without asking around other posters who you think might know the person better? And then if your suspicions are wrong, what would those other posters think of you for casting doubt on their friends integrity?

  Against the backdrop of Internet issues in this regard, I am sure that any reasonable person would have no issue in standing up for a person they knew and also understanding your motives for asking questions.

  They do not have to answer them after all, but you DO have to do your due diligence to protect yourself.

  HS
• 

  ex-nj-jw

  I believe that once you tell a lie you have to continue telling lies and eventually all the lies will catch up to ya! Sooner or later the imposters will be found out.

  I think if the person is doing something that could possibly damage or hurt another poster all should be notified. If it's just a case of some minor BS'ing just let the poster know that you know the "troof" about him/her.

  I have offered to help some people on JWD that seemed sincere, but I wouldn't go overboard and start sending money that I don't really have or not take care of my responsibilites to help someone else out. I think we have to be cautious of everyone, in person, online everywhere and constantly have on your BS detector.

  Hell, my kids are always trying to BS me! Mom's old she'll believe anything, HA! That's what they think! I use to live with the best JW BS'ers in the world (siblings all double lifer's) I got my experience first hand!

  nj
• 

  LongHairGal

  Because this board is for JWs, ex-JWs or anybody else who wants to discuss the religion, there are a wide range of personalities who post here. I know enough not to reveal too much because I realize that some are immature or worse yet may go back to the religion and spill their guts about who they met on here.

  I am also leery of those who ask for money for any reason. It seems that those types were plentiful in the religion, so I expect I would find them here. Naturally, I treat them the way I did when I was in the religion. I ignore them.

  LHG
• 

  choosing life

  Scully,

  Thanks for starting this topic. I tend to trust everyone and therefore I am open to disappointment. If the poster was a danger to others, I would want to know. The best way would be a PM or a thread alerting everyone to this poster.

  If it involves just a few, maybe it could be kept to them alone. I guess it depends on the degree of deceit and abuse involved.

  As far as changing user names, I can see where that might be necessary, especially if your privacy was involved. I have had mostly good experiences with people here, but don't know if I would detect a fraud right away. Eventually, yes.

  I have had one poster break his promise to me and am dealing with that privately. And no, I didn't see it coming, but I did learn a lesson on what info to give out.
• 

  restrangled

  Does anyone watch Judge Judy here? She has two mottos:

  1. If it doesn't "ring" true it isn't.

  2. "Don't pee on my leg and tell me its raining."

  Those two gems have not failed me yet......take it or leave it as you see fit.

  r.
• 

  minimus

  It's funny, but when "Caspian" first started posting, I just knew he wasn't for real. There have been others that have told some stories looking for major attention and yet they have said conflicting things that didn't have the ring of truth. I'm not a naive person. When I read poor me stories all the time, "what should I do?.....I don't know what I'd ever do without you guys".....it makes me chuckle. Mind you, there are some legitimate posters going thru bad times but CERTAIN ones just sound bogus.

  btw, Ozzie, I'm disappointed that pic isn't really you.
• 

  llbh

  Hi Scully, I think this is an important topic to raise and I am new to this board and have never posted on another one either. I enjoy it here and do not enough time to go elsewhere at the moment.

  I think that con merchants can usually be spotted , I also trust peolpe until they show themselves unworthy of it as othera have said. I agree you do have to be careful of malevolent people here as elswhere.

  regards llbh
• 

  yknot

  This never crossed my mind...

  Man am I naive!
• 

  Siamsa

  Fellow sleuths,

  You have presented yourselves as those that recognise that you have been deceived at some time previously in your life.

  My question is this.

  If a proven liar told you that they were lying to you, would they be telling the truth and would you believe them ?
• 

  Insomniac

  minimus- I remember Caspian! He was here around the time I first started posting, and left not long after. Quite a charmer, as I recall. He sent me a bunch of pictures of himself, which turned out to be of some other guy, I think.