Spammers on Housekeeping

[NanTheWiser]

The Housekeeping section seems to have been invaded by many spammers recently. They all repeat threads posted by other spammers under different user names, but are the same posts word for word. Always answered by another spammer with a product link. I've just reported three of them, but getting a bit pissed off by the invasion! (I know, get a life...)

[cozietoesie]

Locking older threads on certain boards would help.

[NanTheWiser]

They are all recent threads - over the last few weeks, not old ones.

[cozietoesie]

Drat.

Most of those I've seen there have been older ones so the spammers are getting smarter.

Constant vigilance then. (Unless you can think of another way?)

[picklemepopcorn]

I've reported a few... So tedious. They read like infomercials. "I've tried this... It was so quick and easy!"

[LouMumsnet]

Hi all. We hear you - spamming on the boards is so frustrating and we take a very dim view of it. The best thing to do is what you're all already doing - report any suspected spam posts to us so that we can investigate, delete if appropriate and ban the poster responsible. We really do appreciate your reports for giving us the heads up.

[PenelopeFlintstone]

I must be super-gullible. I'm on Housekeeping all the time and haven't seen them....unless it begins with Z....in which case, I started one!

[dudsville]

I never can tell a fake thread/post from a real one!

[DramaAlpaca]

I've reported so many of these recently that MNHQ must be getting sick of me!

I did manage to catch one who tried and failed to sockpuppet herself the other day, that was fun.

She posted asking about dehumidifiers for her flat, then about four posts in she replied to herself including a link to a dehumidifier - but she forgot to name change

[cozietoesie]

Oops.

[PenelopeFlintstone]

Oh! Ha ha!

[DramaAlpaca]

There are so many today I can't be bothered to report them all.

[NanTheWiser]

Yes, just had a look and there are at least 10 new posts - (all repeats of previous ones) since this afternoon. Agree, Alpaca, can't be bothered to report.

[cozietoesie]

I'd try to report if you can - it's the only way that a pattern can be identified if one is developing. (And we don't need a board like that to become useless.)

[DramaAlpaca]

That's true cozie, it's a great board usually.

I've gone through and reported anything I even remotely thought was suspicious. There were several usernames that popped up repeatedly, with the usual spammy links, so I've been busy pressing the button.

I probably should say sorry to MNHQ for clogging up their reports inbox, but they did say they don't mind

[cozietoesie]

I doubt they do - and a vastly increased number of reports on any board should alert them to a problem developing if there is one.

[StorminaBcup]

Can someone explain what spammers do? I've been a couple of really mundane threads this week that have been pulled.

[cozietoesie]

Money or ego-stroking usually, one or the other.

[cozietoesie]

Sorry - seeking those, I should have said.

[NanTheWiser]

I have reported too, let's hope they get the message!

[StorminaBcup]

Thanks cozietosie - the things people do, eh?