Warning messages when people offer to help OPs

Why are you so worried/concerned/interested that one of your threads might have been/would be/will be reported? Do you feel that people don't believe you about something?

Yes, you can assume that, YourMotherChucksRocksInHull. However, you can't assume why it has been reported.

I've reported this sort of thread on a few occasions:

• once when there was a very vulnerable regular poster who posted and other posters wanted to help - I reported to ask MNHQ to put up the message to prevent people posting unhelpful posts such as 'be careful who you give money to' or 'how do you know this is real?', etc. Once MNHQ posts, then those sorts of posters will be satisfied that MNHQ knows.

-once when the posting style seemed too formulaic - generic opening post, lots of drip feeding throughout, complete with many excuses why practical offers of help of a non-monetary sort were unsuitable, until offers of money came in and the poster said 'how kind, here's my paypal address.'

-once when it all seemed to be getting carried away, etc.

Anyone can report any thread at any time for any reason. It's MNHQ who decide (with their knowledge of the poster, any namechanges, history, etc.) whether there is something decidedly dodgy going on (deletion) or whether they can just remind people that this is not RL and that they shouldn't offer what they can't afford to lose.

Oops, cross post - damn my slow typing!

I would assume it had been reported but that's not to say that the person reporting believes the OP is a troll, just that they realise the dangers of people offering help (financial or other) to unknown people on the internet.

As it's been flagged to us

No need to assume anything as it says in the post

MN is not moderated in the sense that MNHQ don't sit and read threads all day looking for signs of trouble. They rely on posters flagging threads/posts that concern them.

If it's a formal MN response you want, you could report your own post and ask for their views, or email them at [email protected]

And yes, the process is reliant on it being reported. There are, what? thousands, tens of thousands, of posts per day. It's not a pre moderated forum, most posts will never be seen by MNHQ. They can't look at every post that's made. So they go on what gets reported.

I would imagine that it feels bloody shitty to get that message on your thread.

But what's the alternative? Never put that message on? - People have been seriously scammed on here. Many times. (hopefully not the same people!) Look at all posts? The costs involved make that totally unrealistic. Investigate or somehow otherwise try to determine who is genuine? - impossible and even more upsetting!

If it's a standard message then it is in no way personal or a judgement about you, your situation or intentions.

Are you thinking of asking for help but deciding whether you will get away with first or something?

You have had your questions answered. MNHQ are just going to say the same.

personal, not person.

I think you are other thinking this tbh.

It isn't anything person. It is all down to whether MNHQ have seen the thread or not.

Yes, it's possible that one of you could get it and the other not. If one thread was reported but not the other.

It comes on every single thread that is reported to them. If a thread isn't, then they likely won't know about it, but if anyone reports it, then that message will be put on.

That way, they don't even have to get into trying to decide whether it's likely or not.

Thread reported - view thread - see offers or potential for offers - add standard message.

They wouldn't look at 2 threads that looked like people were offering / were likely to offer, and add the message to one but not the other. It's a standard message applied to all.

No one is singled out. Its a warning and nothing to do with the OP

If one was reported and the other not, then of course it is possible the reported thread will get the message and the other wouldn't if MNHQ hasn't seen it.

It depends on if it was reported and if people were offering RL help. Its nothing to do with the OP if the OP doesn't ask for help. Its for the people who offer it anyway.

Say you started a thread about how to budget because you were super skint. Some people offer advice and then some ask where you are and want to send money. If reported MNHQ will put that warning for those offering money and reminding people not to offer more than they can afford to lose.

It all depends on whether its reported or not

I would have thought the thought process of posting the message is obvious. People offer help. MNHQ see it, or have it drawn to their attention, and they then post the reminder to be careful not to offer more than you can afford to lose if the poster is not genuine.

MNHQ post the message on all sorts of threads, including those started by long term posters and where fellow posters have met the OP in RL so more is known of their circumstances and that they are genuine.

Any thread gets that MNHQ message if it falls into either or both of these categories:

1. The OP is clearly - whether directly or indirectly - asking for things or money to be sent to them. These are often very woeful tales of lack of money, provisions etc. At Christmas-time, there are loads of these. In the past, people have sent money (bank details in some cases) to find that it's false. There's no way of telling truth from lie on the internet, so the message goes up to remind posters it's not validated and none of us really know the truth. It isn't a judgement of the OP, just a reminder to stay safe and aware and only give what you can afford to lose.

2. When the OP isn't asking for anything just support but posters start rallying round regardless saying e.g. 'where do you live I can pop round to help' or 'should we all send you stuff/money?'. The same warning to stay safe/aware occurs.

Posters/readers often report the threads asking for this message to be displayed. Not to dissuade giving but to remind people that posters in the past have been utterly scammed by false woeful tales on here. People can be so kind and generous so instinctively that a reminder that OP information is not verifiable and words on a screen aren't always true is important. Not to put people off helping but to remind them to be careful. It isn't judging any OP, it just comes up when people are asked for and/or offer their money, items, or personal visits.