Scam reports

[Ajdin]

Hello,

There have been more and more scam reports lately. Many of these have been going via Skype. People have been using Skype a lot to make deals with mainly because it's easy to use, everyone has it and messages get sent and delivered instantly.

Skype has plenty of downsides too, especially when they are used as proof with scam reports.

No matter what kind of proof you provide, it's all fake-able in some sort. Videos, gifs, screenshots: All can be faked, it might all take time but it can be faked.

Therefore I think all deals should be done via PM. If they are not done via PM, the deal shouldn't be eligible for a scam report.

This would also decrease the amount of impersonators, skype jackers(my skype got jacked) and so on.

Most of you think: real issue with this is: The PM system is disgusting to use compared to Skype. It's not instant.

Well, is it worth? Is it worth risking money to be able to talk with a potential scammer in a better way? If anything, MCM could look into getting a IM addon. Many of these are available. Somewhat like Facebook's chat but for Xenforo.

If that doesn't interest you, you could approach it in a different way and use Slack or Discord. Sure, it requires some management but both have a feature where you can create invites for single users and they can sign up for it.

I've seen some Minecraft servers and other forums use it and it's a great way to communicate. However most of these applications allow editing of messages and screenshots can still be faked so I suggest staying with a on-site alike system.

This should be considered and thought about carefully.

For those of you who don't know what Slack or Discord is. They are both skype-alike programs but made for communities or companies. They allow PM'ing users and creating channels. Discord even allows communication over voice. I use both for other projects and they are both great. Discord is becoming more and more popular amongst gamers.
Both of these are safe and your IP cannot get resolved unlike Skype.

Thanks to nara~kavi for coming up with the original idea.

Edit: If you're voting, I'd love to see some input anyways. Especially to those who don't want anything changed.

 

[Nagi]

There are many different pre-made add-ons we can use for this, all with different capabilities and function.

If we're looking for a facebook like chat, CometChat or ArrowChat could be used.
If we want something that just makes conversation messages instant, we can use Realtime Chat Conversations.
If we want for Mick to be brutally murdered by you, we can change back from Taigachat to the other shoutbox we were using which has the ability to create private rooms (my personal favourite idea)
If we want something custom there could be a brand new system developed from the ground up.

It's up to you how we do this.

ArrowChat seems like the best idea: good formatting & the ability to create group conversations (MM Support).
I also feel like Realtime Chat Conversations should also be added as that would be helpful.

 

[Mick]

We just need something that works. TBH I like the 2 the best. The 3rd one, I don't exactly like it but I guess it would work. The second is the best though because it's all we need.

The problem with 2 is that we would need to get something custom made in order for staff to be able to read it all. With this it would also mean that we would have the ability to read all of your PMs which we wants as much as you.

 

[Nagi]

The problem with 2 is that we would need to get something custom made in order for staff to be able to read it all. With this it would also mean that we would have the ability to read all of your PMs which we wants as much as you.

Didn't you say that you do that already?

 

[SoldierAlex]

The problem with 2 is that we would need to get something custom made in order for staff to be able to read it all. With this it would also mean that we would have the ability to read all of your PMs which we wants as much as you.

Their is most likely an admin permission in the plugin that allows the admins to read all PMs.

 

[Ajdin]

The problem with 2 is that we would need to get something custom made in order for staff to be able to read it all. With this it would also mean that we would have the ability to read all of your PMs which we wants as much as you.

When a scam occurs, "report" the specific messages/conversations so they become public to staff.

 

[Mick]

When a scam occurs, "report" the specific messages/conversations so they become public to staff.

Due to the nature of how instant chat works you would have to report every single comment in order to piece the story together. This could be hundreds of reports per scam report which we would have to piece together manually. I'm sure there'd be a better way.

 

[Ajdin]

Due to the nature of how instant chat works you would have to report every single comment in order to piece the story together. This could be hundreds of reports per scam report which we would have to piece together manually. I'm sure there'd be a better way.

Yeah, perhaps investing money and get something custom developed as a addition to whatever chat addon you wish to go with.

 

[Tier]

Overlord really made many good points.

 

[TellingMom]

The problem with 2 is that we would need to get something custom made in order for staff to be able to read it all. With this it would also mean that we would have the ability to read all of your PMs which we wants as much as you.

Uhhh... The site makes money, use some of said money to improve site?

Another idea... all transactions have to be done via a conversation. If a scam report is made, you invite the staff to the conversation to read it. Not very difficult. No different than them reading a Skype screenshot, only this can be validated.

On the subject of reading PMs. If you have access to the database you can read EVERYTHING. Verringer used to read other peoples PMs.

 

[nara~kavi]

Due to the nature of how instant chat works you would have to report every single comment in order to piece the story together. This could be hundreds of reports per scam report which we would have to piece together manually. I'm sure there'd be a better way.

What about the suggestion of just lowering the cooldown on PM messages and then adding in something like exists on threads that says "click here to display new messages that have been posted". That'd basically be an instant message chat function at that point and it solves the reporting problem.

And it doesn't really require adding stuff to the site that could bloat it. ^_^

 

[Overlord]

Uhhh... The site makes money, use some of said money to improve site?

Actually, it can be done simply with database queries, phpMyAdmin, or a simple code edit to allow admins to view conversations by the direct URL.

Another idea... all transactions have to be done via a conversation. If a scam report is made, you invite the staff to the conversation to read it. Not very difficult. No different than them reading a Skype screenshot, only this can be validated.

Great idea, but I think you missed my homeland security example. I swear I'm talking to a brick wall 99% of the time here.

I'll quote it, for your convenience:

You're telling people to stop using Skype, their communication system, in order to receive support from a stupid system in the first place? Sure. Homeland Security also says avoid use of Java if possible, as well as Adobe Reader. If absolutely required, please keep them up to date. Doesn't mean that they tell the FBI to not work against Java and Adobe targeted malware. Doesn't mean PayPal will stop users with Java installed from using the resolutions center.

On the subject of reading PMs. If you have access to the database you can read EVERYTHING. Verringer used to read other peoples PMs.

I'm sure you'd feel great knowing some guy is randomly reading your conversations for no reason. I can also go out there and stab my next door neighbour, doesn't mean I'm going to. Mick can do a lot if he wanted, doesn't mean he should.

The only logical solutions here are the shoutbox with rooms, or what nara~kavi said regarding the conversation limitations.

 

[TellingMom]

Actually, it can be done simply with database queries, phpMyAdmin, or a simple code edit to allow admins to view conversations by the direct URL.


Great idea, but I think you missed my homeland security example. I swear I'm talking to a brick wall 99% of the time here.

I'll quote it, for your convenience:



I'm sure you'd feel great knowing some guy is randomly reading your conversations for no reason. I can also go out there and stab my next door neighbour, doesn't mean I'm going to. Mick can do a lot if he wanted, doesn't mean he should.

The only logical solutions here are the shoutbox with rooms, or what nara~kavi said regarding the conversation limitations.

Didn't read the majority of your previous post because they weren't really directed to me, and you go on and on trying to prove a point with more than is necessary. I honestly don't come here to read walls of text. The best communicator is the one who can get their point across in the least amount of dialog.

I'm not suggesting Mick read peoples PMs at all. Quite the contrary... It was juxtaposing the situation of the old admin who DID read peoples PMs.

The idea I suggested is easy to put into motion, and as you said it yourself, it is just a few queries and/or a custom form to give appropriate permissions, etc. As I pointed out in a different thread, they could probably get the fix done for ~$100, or I wouldn't be surprised if someone out here would do it pro bono. Xenforo forums also has tons of indie developers who do random odd small stuff like this on the cheap. I think if they really cared about the forum, and the scamming problem, it's worthwhile minor investment.

 

[Overlord]

The best communicator is the one who can get their point across in the least amount of dialog.

You are right, but points here are ignored regardless of amount. I just write in depth to complete an argument.

I think there are a lot of investments that can be made to fix problems here. $150 would eliminate most of the problems with scamming and about 15 others. Just need to know how to spend it, is all.

 

[Ajdin]

I feel the fact of the matter is that scam reports are enforced here, so this should be highly considered.
Though, you're staff now, so I don't really understand the need of this anymore.

I'm still interested in what the community wants. So far we're considering a XF addon as the community voted.

 

[Overlord]

I'm still interested in what the community wants. So far we're considering a XF addon as the community voted.

And which add-on is that?