Scam reports.

There's four pages of scam reports, one over 2 weeks old, that's a long time to leave a scammer on the forums.

What's going on guys? :/

Sorry if I sound like i'm complaining, but it's annoying when you get scammed and the person who scammed you is left to roam the forum, possibly with other members falling victim, days later.

Edit: Sorry, just looked on the second page and saw this thread http://sythe.org/showthread.php?t=925650

Looks like leaving scam reports to build up for days is the normal.

 

They take time to do. 18 hours really isn't that bad considering how many people are on this site and are reporting reports that don't have all the information so mods have to try to see if it's actually a legit report. Wouldn't you rather they take a little bit longer but catch the correct individuals over just rushing though and skipping some people?

 

If it doesn't have enough info then they usually post that after looking through it, and, I don't think that doing 10-15 reports in 18 hours between 5+ globals would cause mistakes due to rushing. :S

 

The problem with that is the report could be valid but the user just doesn't know the correct format for posting it. Then the globals still have to try get to the bottom of it but it takes much longer considering they don't have all the proof they need. Also not all the globals do a ton of reports. A lot of them have lives and can't be here all the time filing the reports.

 

I know not all globals do reports and I know they have lives, I never said they should sit there no lifing scam reports, I also stated that i've seen alot of Globals online over the past day and half and can't understand why not one has attempted a scam report.

 

I don't know for sure but I am assuming they are doing their work. They would be demoted if they weren't.

 

18 hours is not that bad.
My last report lasted a month.

Mods do their best and sometimes may take a little longer.

 

Wow, this was my first scam report and for some reason, I expected it to be done and the scammer banned within hours.

Didn't think they'd get to being a month old before being answered.

 

It shouldn't take a month. I'm pretty busy this afternoon, but I'll try to finish them tomorrow.

 

You guys should keep in mind - only 5 globals now. It's hard to keep up with everything.

 

I know I can't do much, but I always check in on it to see if I can do them. We're on a low amount of Globals atm, so just take precautions and check that section before trading.

 

With Spyike gone and the recent influx of new sectionals, it's difficult for us to get the scam reports done as efficiently as before. Once we're a bit more situated in the staff the sectionals will be able to assist the few globals we have in cleaning the section up.

 

heavenlord has just left too

 

It has and will always be my opinion that focus should be to prevent these reports from being filed in the first place. Remove the Scammers before they get settled in and discourage them from easily returning was my enjoyment. Below is a quick overview on my method to madness that perhaps other moderators, both new and old may wish to consider or perhaps just Spam.

Spammer Report Process.
1. Review Members Concerned/Involved. This is accomplished with a quick IP check, past msn, post habit and image property review. Once you’ve developed a rhythm and time in your position, this takes less than a minute or two. You’ll be surprised how many Scammers/Evaders are uncovered prior to even considering the intent of the report. Good/Legit reports are typically filed by only a handful of members in my experience. In time you learn which to quickly take care of and which to investigate in greater detail. IMO, if a member is receiving complaints, something is wrong.. Investigate!
2. Post/Thread Review. I always felt it was better to send a warning PM and deleted small mistakes by members rather then infract. Removing thread drama does help and should always be considered first rather than just pissing everyone off for something silly. If you’re “really” active in the forums, you’ll quickly learn our members through their post habits. Invest the effort to learn them and you’ll find your role to the community much easier. After locating the problem children, yes I do slowly legit infract them to death; sorry put on your Big-Boy shoes on because you know you deserved it. After addressing the intent of the report and if you have time, select one-two random posters and review them as well. I call this “Targets of Opportunity” and yes, it does pay-off. Remember, after spend 2-3 months as an active moderator, you begin to know who/what everyone is.

New Post Reviews. When not consumed with addressing member PMs and/or the many other tasks moderators should be doing, I constantly refresh “New Posts” and take a look. Scammers IMO are the members most typically in a hurry for quick trades and/or are constantly posting all over the place. I’ve found most of my Scammers early using this approach. Also, you’ll be quick to identify threads/posts that allow you to limit Spam Reports and keep the forums clean of trash.

Forum Reviews. Key word searches will often speed you to threads/posts that are not following the rules. There must be an aggressive enforcement of the rules especially in the market sections. Sorry, but the rules are clear and either a member follows them or I close the chit down. Scammers tend to be the members that lack required images and often make common/stupid mistakes which after a period of time a “good” devoted moderator will quickly spot. So in short, Break a rule and I was looking into your background.

Private Messages (PMs). Although I would rather members first use either the Scammer Report and/or Spammer Report process, PMs should be answered/welcomed. I feel even today, I always respond quickly and with required attention concerning PMs. Establishing you’re a moderator that can and will respond to PMs perhaps is the best approach in maintaining the community pulse and support. There have been many members through PMs that have contributed to addressing threads that require quick action and also supporting several members I’ve been attempting to collect more data on. Take the time to respond as support in your position is in vast supply if they know you’ll listen/respond.

Sythe Mod Journal. I would highly recommend you maintain a detailed journal if nothing more than to keep Skele off your back <3. This simple tool will greatly assist to address members that are either on your &#8220;Watch List&#8221; and/or to recall past support/reasons for Bans you&#8217;ve been involved with. Each time I drifted away from my journal, I was quick to realize most often with Skele&#8217;s help wishing I had saved the info I spent much effort pulling together to begin with. Good Scammers tend to always come back to challenge your decision and you&#8217;ll be amazed at how well they&#8217;ll find community support for their dispute. When I banned, I only provided enough to support the ban. My enjoyment was always saving a little back-up proof to shut them down hard when they dispute which assisted greatly in completely destroying community support they falsely obtained. Proof for Bans/Disputes IMO should be something the community can sink their teeth into and swallow. Spend a little extra time to give our community the answers they deserve and often ask for.

If anyone has ever wondered why my Avatar is a Grump, well here is the answer.. Scammers are nothing but people that are too lazy to seek profit through a legit means. In time, these are the same people that burden our tax dollars as they will continue to scam society. Finding them early was always my preferred choice in protecting the community and in the reduction in Scammer Reports.

Many feel I am the biggest headache to have ever been allowed on Staff. But trust me, Scammers/Evaders hated me much more when I ran the forums armed with the powers to rid them from this site. Yes I know.. TL;DR which is why Scammers run among us. Invest the time to reduce community stress/reports or give up your position is my advice. Many of you members that are scammed could also take this advice as you do ZERO research and then come crying to us your Scammer Report did not receive due attention.

Another consideration to support Scammer Reports which most often lack required info would be to consider the possibility of a form fill-in type report? Perhaps Matthew can support if this is even possible as I&#8217;m sure this approach could also be used in other ways to enhance Sythe.

Want me to return to work Sythe challenges while most are asleep? Just change my permissions in Admin CP. But&#8230; also understand, I request both Admin and Global effort toward the development of a detailed process for Pardons and Disputes. Have a nice day!

 

If you make sure you format them correctly they'll be done much faster, and they may be seen by a sectional who can ban the member temporarily until a global sees the report.

 

I am back, and while I can't do em all I like to help out in that section.

EDIT - Spyike I read all of that and it was a huge +1.

 

I should also point out that atleast a page and a half of the reports there currently have been dealt with but not yet archived.

 

try to get more people to do this or if any mob who are free can help out.

 

Out of those 4 pages we are now down to only 12 reports left to be started.

 

I also would like to point out that we currently only have 5 Global Moderators (Who are the moderators with permissions to Lock/Close threads in that section.) We're lucky to have sectionals like FireZ & Angelmax (Yes there are probably a couple of others) who give a helping hand.