What to do if your posts don't appear, or you find you are banned

[C_Claycomb]

Hello folks,

I am sorry to be adding this rather down beat message to our usually cheerful Introduction page.

This community has long been a friendly and open place. We recently had some fraudsters join to take advantage of that trust. Two definitely defrauded members, and a third appeared to fit the pattern and was banned to be on the safe side.

If it waddles and quacks, it gets treated like a duck.

It has been my experience that when we have challenged members we have been suspicious of, over their duck-like behaviour, they have just ghosted, never to be seen again. I do not believe we have ever banned any late blooming swans because they look like ugly ducks. An email to admin and a conversation will sort out any mistaken identity problems.

Similarly, if you find your first few posts as a new member do not appear on the forum within 10 hours of posting, try posting details about you and your interests in this forum (if you are reading this, I am preaching to the choir), and if that doesn't do it, ask for a conversation with one of the moderators. We used to approve all new members' posts provided they didn't breach forum rules, but some more care is clearly needed while we are in the scammer's sights.

Best regards

Chris

 

[C_Claycomb]

Update.
Just banned a newly joined member, hadn’t even tried to post yet, but they tripped the silent alarm.
Did the usual background check and found they had been involved in a scam on another outdoor forum. Took about £120 off someone.

The scam goes that they post or PM about someone else’s sales thread, posing as helpful members, sharing contact details so that the mark can directly contact the person selling, outside the forum. Of course, the details go to the scammer who agrees a “sale” and takes the payment.

THIS is why we are so careful about who joins, and why we have probation posts that must be passed before folk can use private messages.