Has an ‘outing’ post ever been ‘outed’?

[Custardandcreamp]

Has anyone read a post and realised they know the poster personally? Did you tell them you knew?
I know posts can be pulled when there’s identifying information but I’m curious if it’s ever happened to you or you’ve witnessed it.
There’s a post on AIBU and I know the poster and the truth to what they’re posting about (I won’t say which one out of respect and I’m in two minds whether to contact them with the answer they’re looking for) I just didn’t expect to find a post that I can identify I assumed it wasn’t common.

I have spotted a colleague

I often spot an ex colleague. They have at least 4 different usernames but I can tell it's them everytime from the way they write/the stories they tell. I haven't told them and don't look them up purposefully but read when they pop up and never share details of anything I have read.

There was a thread a few months ago. Someone that was having trouble with logistics and club drop offs. Someone recognised her from the circumstances and offered to help out!

That's really nice to hear. It's a shame she can't ever know but this post reflects very well on you.

My sister told me she had found me on here, she relayed a post I had written and my user name. Except, it wasn’t me😂.

Recognised a work colleague - mentioned it to her in case she wanted to NC- she completely denied ever posting.

I've recognised two people, but they were both people I only knew through facebook groups. I didn't tell either, but one is obviously a serial name changer because I've not seen them again and, to be fair, their post was about an extremely sensitive family matter that they hadn't shared fully on FB. I would never have wanted them to realise somebody had made the connection because they'd have been devastated. Sometimes silence is a kindness. The other posts completely uninteresting stuff (not being unkind, I just mean what they post about is bog standard chatter, nothing remotely 'outing') under the same name and I just know who they are. Doesn't mean anything tbh.

I regularly name change, and change slight details in my family/situation, for this reason.

Yes, one. The way the poster described it as coming completely out of nowhere contrasted with the multiple attempts that had been made to warn them.

Yes ex’s partner at the time, very specific circumstances and family set up. It was interesting to see her side of the story compared to his.

@GhostFromTheOtherSide Hello! Yes she is. I think they are married now. They have moved to to the other end of the country. She is subject to a prohibited steps order as she was vile to my DS. Ex no longer has contact. She made him choose between her and DS when I was diagnosed with cancer as she didn't want him helping me with DS. She's a piece of work and he's a shadow of his former self. Match made in heaven 🤷🏻‍♀️. Thank you for remembering

I noticed a Twitter mutual on here. It was a time of intense trauma and grief for her and I recognised her circumstances instantly. I never said anything, but she got some great support.

Wow this is bonkers. I don't know anyone who is on her at all

Yes but it was on the local board so easier to guess. I already knew the difficulties the OP was having anyway.

I recognised someone I used to go to school with. I didn't tell her as we're no longer in contact and it wouldn't be relevant.

I’ve been on here for over 10 years and recognised someone for the first time last week!

I haven’t said anything or searched her history though, I think that’s crossing a line.

I've recognised someone I know on here once. However I have recognized celebrities on here frequently.

Was it cycling?

I suspected that I recognised a colleague from her username (was related to our job, which was a bit niche) and a few things she was posting … then she went on to post in detail all about her unhappy marriage and how she was desperate to leave her husband. All very well, but this was in the days when some people had their photo & other personal info on their profile… and she did.

I never ever told her what I’d seen but I did think she was pretty insane to be posting such personal info when her actual photo was up there for all to see.

I've recognised one poster who I used to work with. Her username is very specific to her dh, who I also know. Once I'd read the thread and what she was saying it was clear it was her. She still posts but I only notice sometimes if I'm on the thread, I don't go looking for her posts.

Not quite what you're asking, but one of my children's names was posted on here in full (first name, middles) – they are unusual enough that it absolutely was my child (think Seraphina Hilda Callista rather than Sarah Olivia Sophie), on a thread in Babynames. I back-searched the author's posts and deduced that she lived in MIL's hometown and would have seen the birth announcement in the paper as MIL put it there. I didn't know her, and I don't think MIL did.

Only once, but the poster posted it with a caveat of 'if you have seen this on FB, don't out me'. It was a relative of a friend and I had known them growing up due to that connection.

I have completely forgotten their username.

I have been outed on here, twice. I now change my username any time I start a thread about anything that could be slightly personally / identifiable.

I'm always wary. I'd love to ask for advice on here but what with being outed or being in the DM I choose not to.

I remember that and it was horrible, although I am still quite proud that I (under my former username) was named in court 😅

Alright Pauline?!

I’ve recognised 2 people. I name change every few days because of that