r/Assistance • u/AssistanceMods • Apr 14 '20
MOD Announcement SCAMMER ALERT: Private message scams, how they work and how you can protect yourself and others in the community
Many scams happen via PM, and both givers and requesters alike can be targets. Users are more vulnerable in private messages, because as moderators, we can’t protect you there. Scammers prefer to work in the shadows and in private to avoid being caught, or to skirt our requesting requirements. This behavior is against the rules, dishonest and should always be reported to the mod team immediately so we may investigate and take action to warn other users as soon as possible.
Watch for these PM scams making the rounds
$Falco****** CashApp user
Watch for CashApp tags:
$SuperGo****
$Falco******
A user with ”$Falco” and **$SuperGo” in the beginning of their CashApp tag is swooping into giver’s personal inboxes and tricking them into sending them money. When giving, if you receive a PM from someone you believe you have been speaking with on an /r/Assistance post—be sure to click through to their profile and verify that you’re messaging with the correct person before you send any assistance.
If you are contacted by an account using the $Falco CashApp name, ignore the user and report the account to us at modmail, as well as to the Reddit admins.
Bank info scammer
This scammer makes and uses random, low-karma accounts that have very little, or no activity. They reach out privately to struggling users who have recently made requests and promise help, ask users for their banking information, or offer a check that ultimately will be returned—leaving the requester’s account in the negative.
Known usernames for this scammer:
NSFW solicitors
These users lurk in PMs and offer money to requesters for inappropriate content, photos, and conversations. These users should be reported and ignored. No one should ever make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe here, and it is always okay to reach out to us if anyone ever makes you feel uneasy.
Other scams and red flags
No one should ever ask you for banking information, credit card numbers, phone number, passwords to your accounts, ID, for you to install software on your device—or any other such activity that makes you feel unsafe, uncomfortable or that may compromise your privacy.
Protect yourself, and others
If you receive an unsolicited private message:
Report the message to modmail, including a screenshot if you can. (Screenshots can be uploaded to Imgur.com, and then you can send us the link with your modmail message).
Report the unsolicited PM to Reddit admins by clicking the “report” link under the message if you’re on a PC. On mobile, the report option is under three dots “...”
Block the user.
Utilize the universal scammer list
The universal scammer list (USL) compiles a searchable, automated ban list of known scammers and suspect users on Reddit. Three months ago, /r/Assistance began utilizing this incredible resource and officially joined the universal scammer list. While the USL bot bans scammers from posting in our subreddit, these scammers can still reach out to you via PM.
Here is how you too can utilize this tool personally, to protect yourself from PM scammers:
Search the universal scammer list — We recommend bookmarking this link, and searching it any time you have a question about a user you are considering dealing with, here or anywhere else on Reddit.
If you are on a PC, you can also install an extension for Chrome or Firefox, which will label users who are on the universal scammer list throughout your Reddit experience—whether you are browsing a giving sub, or any other corner of Reddit.
When making offer posts
Givers, please ask users to comment on your post to enter your giveaways, and ask them not to PM you directly. Banned users and scammers will often try to take advantage of trusting givers who allow PMs, so please insist that users post a public comment on your offer first, then only move the conversation to PM once you have selected a recipient.