A method to make MCM more secure.

[arnavxv]

Introduction:
Right now, when people are banned, they can create a new account with a proxy or VPN. There has to be a better method to make MCM secure. This allows scammers to create account after account, escaping relatively unpunished.

Suggestion #1: Flagged Paypals
There should be an easy access list of flagged pay pals. In a scam report, the scammer's paypal would be put in (if proof is provided that its their paypal), and when the scammer is banned, their paypal would be added to a list. When doing deals, MCM users can easily cross check someone's paypal in a list in order to confirm that it does not belong to a formerly banned user.

Suggestion #2: Phone Verification
Phone verification would make MCM even more secure, and prevent the influx of alts. The phone number would be a requirement to register, you wouldn't need it every time you log in. Furthermore, it should be a requirement that the phone number be a valid phone number (no google voice) and maybe be a phone number registered within 100 miles of your IP address. (Just a possibility)
Alternate Phone Verification Idea: This idea was discussed in the comments. One would get a badge/medal if their account was phone verified, in order to not discriminate against the people who don't have phones. Existing people with a lot of rep would be relatively unaffected if they don't have a phone number.


Conclusion:
Scammers can easily create alt accounts with proxies or VPNs and continue scamming. The introduction of these verification methods will make MCM a safer and more honorable place.
​

 

[Overlord]

#1 no.
#2 not a bad idea

 

[arnavxv]

#1 no.
#2 not a bad idea

Thanks for your input, although I would like to know why you disagree with #1. Thanks.

 

[chucK_]

1.) No real way to prove that __ is __'s PayPal unless it matches their MC-M email
2.) That's not possible. You can't require a phone to sign up.

 

[arnavxv]

1.) No real way to prove that __ is __'s PayPal unless it matches their MC-M email
2.) That's not possible. You can't require a phone to sign up.

For number 1, I said with evidence, as in, the scammer says in a PM that their paypal is [email protected] or something.

For number 2, a phone sign up would severely reduce the influx of alts.

 

[Theo J]

For #1, scammers can just add different emails to their PayPal.

For #2: what about those without phones?

I think they're good ideas, but both have downsides.

 

[TheNewTao]

I like #1, but I am not giving that much information for #2

 

[tjrgg]

This is a Minecraft marketplace. Is this really necessary?

 

[Nic]

Neither are necessary. Just don't be dumb :/

 

[arnavxv]

For #1, scammers can just add different emails to their PayPal.

For #2: what about those without phones?

I think they're good ideas, but both have downsides.

I didn't know about the differen

This is a Minecraft marketplace. Is this really necessary?

Neither are necessary. Just don't be dumb :/

I feel this is necessary, as we are dealing with real money and scammers can escape punishment free.

 

[Boshns]

+1 Phone Verification would make it really hard for scammers to make a new account after they are banned. Unless they change their number like every month (I guess?)

 

[arnavxv]

+1 Phone Verification would make it really hard for scammers to make a new account after they are banned. Unless they change their number like every month (I guess?)

Yup. Whenever I make a scam report and someone gets banned, I still worry that they're still out there under an alt, and what if the person I banned was actually an alt?

 

[Ajdin]

There are problems with both methods.

1. You can change your PayPal email very easily.
2. Not everyone has a phone. I know even a staff member who doesn't have one. Even if you have a phone, would everyone be willing to share it?

 

[Boshns]

There are problems with both methods.

1. You can change your PayPal email very easily.
2. Not everyone has a phone. I know even a staff member who doesn't have one. Even if you have a phone, would everyone be willing to share it?

how can you not have a phone

 

[Ajdin]

how can you not have a phone

Believe it or not, it's possible.[DOUBLEPOST=1455113919,1455112423][/DOUBLEPOST]What we could do is a "Phone Verified" medal for people that verify their account.

 

[Ivain]

I use email verification, which is enough for me. I'd hate to have to pull out my verification phone each time I logged in here. (yes I have a separate phone for that, since some websites I need to use lack the decency to not spam you).
Also, in most countries you can get a phone, including number, at the supermarket for less than $20. So if I scammed someone for $25, I'd still make profit each time I made a new account (its not that simple, of course, but you get the basic idea).

The flagged paypal seems like it might work, but I'm always hesitant about blacklists. I'm also not sure how far it would work. I've encountered at least a dozen people that make a new Paypal Account as well. As long as you don't connect it directly to a bank account or creditcard, making new paypal accounts is not that difficult.

That said, both ideas add an extra barrier of effort, so they're not completely worthless.
The biggest problem I have with the phone verification is the effort normal members would have to go through.
Though I guess phone verification for making an account may work, there's still the issue of being able to obtain new phones easily.

 

[Ajdin]

I'd hate to have to pull out my verification phone each time I logged in here.

He probably meant that phone verification is required to register.

 

[Ivain]

He probably meant that phone verification is required to register.

yeah, thinking back on it that would make more sense. No problem for existing members then.
Still, is it useful? Forget the entire phone buying part, there are services that mask emails and phone numbers, or even credit card numbers. It would only be useful as an extra barrier of effort, and for a successful scammer there's plenty of money to be made to make it worth it.

However, if people no longer fell for scams.. well, then it would be a different matter entirely. Scammers would have to come up with new methods.

 

[Magnemite]

This is a minecraft marketplace, not a bank. You don't need these extreme security features.

 

[arnavxv]

yeah, thinking back on it that would make more sense. No problem for existing members then.
Still, is it useful? Forget the entire phone buying part, there are services that mask emails and phone numbers, or even credit card numbers. It would only be useful as an extra barrier of effort, and for a successful scammer there's plenty of money to be made to make it worth it.

However, if people no longer fell for scams.. well, then it would be a different matter entirely. Scammers would have to come up with new methods.

Yes this is what I meant, I'll make it more clear in the title.[DOUBLEPOST=1455117207,1455117119][/DOUBLEPOST]

There are problems with both methods.

1. You can change your PayPal email very easily.
2. Not everyone has a phone. I know even a staff member who doesn't have one. Even if you have a phone, would everyone be willing to share it?

With regards to number 2, your phone # wouldn't appear in your profile, just that it be verified to register.[DOUBLEPOST=1455117407][/DOUBLEPOST]

I use email verification, which is enough for me. I'd hate to have to pull out my verification phone each time I logged in here. (yes I have a separate phone for that, since some websites I need to use lack the decency to not spam you).
Also, in most countries you can get a phone, including number, at the supermarket for less than $20. So if I scammed someone for $25, I'd still make profit each time I made a new account (its not that simple, of course, but you get the basic idea).

The flagged paypal seems like it might work, but I'm always hesitant about blacklists. I'm also not sure how far it would work. I've encountered at least a dozen people that make a new Paypal Account as well. As long as you don't connect it directly to a bank account or creditcard, making new paypal accounts is not that difficult.

That said, both ideas add an extra barrier of effort, so they're not completely worthless.
The biggest problem I have with the phone verification is the effort normal members would have to go through.
Though I guess phone verification for making an account may work, there's still the issue of being able to obtain new phones easily.

You're right, it isn't too difficult to obtain a new phone, but this would dissuade the majority of scammers.