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(85 Posts)
Soutra Mon 10-Feb-14 17:58:56

With a webchat on Internet Security I feel now might be the time to tackle the issue of "undesirables". By this I mean someone like an OP recently who turns out to be a former member barred for his/her conduct in the past. A thread started by this person has been deleted but his/her change of persona went unheeded for some days until he/she went "too far". There have been other instances of a former member "reappearing" and then dropping out of sight sharpish when challenged. We all know a change of name following deregistration and re- registration is allowed and usually it is because a member is afraid their anonymity has been compromised and not for any subversive or malign purpose.
The answer from GNHQ is to report suspicious posts to them and leave them to do the policing but given that there are those who slip through the net and stir up dissension when challenged, is this enough? We need to remember not to give away too much personal information especially any which might identify us but at the same time the essence of GN is to be able to pour your heart out and seek advice/sympathy/comfort. I hate the thought that there are predatory posters checking out ex-wives of millionaires, people's financial background or housing or care home issues. Is there a way forward? confused

Ana Mon 10-Feb-14 22:38:22

absent, I seem to remember that the members involved in that instance were known to each other, it wasn't a case of random nastiness.

absent Mon 10-Feb-14 22:39:27

Nor was this recent incident random nastiness.

Ana Mon 10-Feb-14 22:45:02

You are obviously well-informed, absent. moon

Galen Mon 10-Feb-14 22:51:32

No! I don't know dragonfly or Paige!

Galen Mon 10-Feb-14 22:52:08

moon

Dragonfly1 Mon 10-Feb-14 23:08:13

Think I'd better shut up and go to bed.

Dragonfly1 Mon 10-Feb-14 23:13:57

Oh, and I don't know anyone. I think I was random.

Elegran Mon 10-Feb-14 23:52:29

I have never had a nasty PM from anyone. Should I worry that I am invisible? Should I desist from posting this in case someone kindly decides to stop me worrying that I might be invisible and sends me a nasty PM?

Should I go to bed?

Paige Tue 11-Feb-14 00:10:57

I wouldn't wait up! grin

harrigran Tue 11-Feb-14 00:40:22

Nor me Elegran, but there again I am pretty invisible in real life too.

rockgran Tue 11-Feb-14 06:59:22

Maybe GN is becoming too popular and well known - a victim of its own success!

kittylester Tue 11-Feb-14 07:07:57

You said what I was thinking Elegran.

Yet again , I've missed everything! confused

Soutra Tue 11-Feb-14 20:12:53

In the light of yet another attempt by a certain shape-shifter to weasel his way on to Gransnet today (after being shown the door on at least 2 occasions), can I say how sick I am of people who see us as "fair game". If it had not been for Glamma's sharp eyes alerting some of the rest of us, he might have slipped through yet again. What is the attraction of such behaviour? Is it a challenge? And how sad for genuine mambers who have better things to do with their lives than provide entertainment for sick devious minds angry

Ana Tue 11-Feb-14 20:25:43

I can't actually see what harm HF ever caused to anyone on here, Soutra. In fact, some of his advice about shared-ownership of property and care fees was spot-on.

Dragonfly1 Tue 11-Feb-14 20:26:17

I'm beginning to feel a bit naive here; how do you spot them?

Elegran Tue 11-Feb-14 20:41:19

He was rather boring at times, but never hurt anyone. I am still not convinced that he was real, but it doesn't matter now

I am pleased to report that I have had a PM from Granny23, entitled "Nasty!" and containing a "Whooooo" to scare me! Now I am not invisible. I shan't bother reporting it, though.

Ana Tue 11-Feb-14 20:45:37

Well done, Elegran. I'm convinced that naming and shaming would work in most cases of unpleasant PMing.

Ana Tue 11-Feb-14 20:48:23

I mean of course really unpleasant PMs, not those sent in the spirit of sorting out a disagreement or misunderstanding which may have occurred in a thread.

Elegran Tue 11-Feb-14 20:55:33

Or as a joke! Thank you, G23

Ana Tue 11-Feb-14 20:56:47

Doh! blush

Ana Tue 11-Feb-14 20:57:29

Still stand by what I said, though. Sorry Granny23!

Elegran Tue 11-Feb-14 20:59:21

Dragonfly Sometimes you can see a continuation of an obsession held b ya previous poster, or a pattern of ways of speech that sound familiar, or an attitude, or a repetition of what they tell about their circumstances. These can all be illusions, though, so there is not a foolproof way of identifying anyone. If you think someone is not what they pretend to be, you should tell GNHQ, who have access to more info about people than we do, and can investigate.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 11-Feb-14 21:06:16

Well, if GNHQ really do have some kind of knowledge that we don't, they could always come out and say so. I can't see that a particular poster ever did anything but try to be helpful.

It's all silly. And we are not helpless old souls who need protecting from big bad wolves. We have as many faculties as anyone running an internet forum.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 11-Feb-14 21:10:41

I'm surprised no one has popped up yet.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 11-Feb-14 21:13:43

"Ex wives of millionaires"???!!! grin