WHY WE DO NOT PERMIT « PERSONAL INFORMATION » POSTS (posted again, for a friend…..)

We receive multiple moderator messages (and some on the subreddit) asking why we won’t allow a post with « personal information » or « identifying information » and such messages are usually followed up with accusing of protecting the scammer, etc. We made this post a long time ago, it was removed by accident (okay, I deleted it, it’s my fault) so I’m rebuilding the post to help explain. You are welcome to share this post with anyone you wish.

Please note that that rule is not open for debate or discussion as Reddit policies regarding such are quite clear. We are making them clearer for everyone on THIS subreddit

In no particular order, these reasons exist as to why we don’t allow identifying information. Let’s delve into what that is considered.

Phone numbers.

Email addresses.

Reported physical addresses.

Pictures of the alleged scammer.

Social media of any type/sort

Anything that can link the person(s) you believe you have « identified » to their real-life counterpart.

….and any other information that, as the moderation team, we deem unacceptable because we believe it violates the spirit of the rule. Such decision by the moderation team is not open for debate or discussion or appeal. Period.

You can jump up and down, screaming « BUT THIS IS WHO THEY ARE! I DID A VIDEO CALL WITH THEM! I HAVE THEIR PHONE NUMBER, NAME AND WHERE THEY LIVE! »

Nope.

What you have is the information the scammer wants you to believe.

This may shock you, my friend, so if you are easily shocked, please tightly clutch your pearls and hold on to your seat.

Scammers lie to people.

Yup.

What you have is what the scammer wants you to believe is the truth, not the actual truth. Even if by some remote chance you have a photo or a video, this subreddit is not set up for us to create a database of (alleged) « known scammers » and compile their contact information. We help identify scams. Period.

Our subreddit is not designed nor intended (not now, never will be) as a repository of alleged scammer contact info so that you, in one way or another, get revenge, ask people to mass report what you claim is a fake website/scammer, « expose the scammer, » dox, et al.

Yes, we understand you were used and you are hurting. Yes, we understand you probably have feelings of wanting to get even, if not something more severe.

We are not here for that. There are multiple subreddits that exist to help with feelings and such. We are here to identify scams and provide what support we can.

This is not a subreddit dedicated to getting even.

Consider one final thought if none of this is helping you understand the rationale.

Just because YOU come along and make the claim « I WAS SKAMMED HAVE PRUF EVERYONE REPORT THIS WEBSITE SHUT IT DOWN » does not constitute validity. Even if you are being 100% honest, again, re-read this post. We are not your personal army. We are not your revenge mechanism. We are not your scambaiter headquarters.

We help identify scams

We do not assist in identifying scammers and we do not assist in helping you shut someone down.

Not now. Not ever.

We have a list of subreddit rules – just like almost every other subreddit. If you do not agree, you are 100% welcome to find another subreddit that will be receptive to your post. In closing, to repeat again in case it wasn’t made clear (and please share this with other users if you wish) because we would love for you to be a helpful poster and we will absolutely help you out if you are posting in accordance with Reddit and this subreddit rules:

Please note that that rule is not open for debate or discussion as Reddit policies regarding such are quite clear. We are making them clearer for everyone on THIS subreddit