Spotting a troll

[notamumlolumz]

How do you know if a OP is trolling? With each relationship thread I've always believed the person is telling the truth I'm pretty new on here but I'm just wondering if any of you guys know the signs? Thanks x

There are sometimes hints like a story that's too outrageous to be true, a poster whose previous posts contradict the original one or ones where the poster has a fetish and posts on one subject only (eg. There's a poster who only posts about poo). Other signs are posters who post something that receives a lot of replies and never returns to clarify questions or have been previously banned and repost the same question weeks/months later.

Well I don't know, notamum. A few things increase the chances I suppose.

If suspicious, I will check for any other posts from that poster. Not that first time posters are bad, but it's information.
Other stuff

? piling agony on agony. Too much suffering, too 'colourful'
? repeated posts over a short period
? inconsistencies...this is the big one.

New poster, starts with something slightly dramatic, then story unfolds very rapidly, with very frequent updates... They don't all do that, but that pattern always rings my alarm bells.

I'm new here posted my first post today looking for some help but no ones replied, hope the dont think I'm a troll

Afternoon. We do realise that August can be silly season the troll front sometimes.

But please do bear in mind that posting about how you might tell a troll from a genuine poster risks ending up being a Guide to How to Troll effectively on Mumsnet.

If you have any concerns about any poster, please do report them to us. We always reply to every report that comes in.

I did wonder about that...
Feel free to withdraw my posts here.
Maybe the thread should go too..Any views OP?

The other thing to remember is sometimes life can just be weird, and situations that I've risen an eyebrow at on here have turned out to be completely true. It isn't victim-free when someone trolls emotionally, no, because others share their own past, and at times it can hurt them to do it. But on the other hand, when doubting posters with extreme stories you risk someone in a truly horrendous situation being met with the online equivalent of a clenched fist, at their most vulnerable. Troll-hunting has done that, too. And it makes me flinch somewhat.

Thanks guys for your feedback. I hope it doesn't look suspicious me asking this its just I needed a few tips on what to look out for

& I think Mumsnet is a great resource for women seeking help from lots of helpful people. So if there was any way I could help stop it getting abused (if that's the right word) ill try. & oh no Weelady 77 ill try and find your post x

I think it is worth remembering as well that lots of people lurk - so whether or not the OP is genuine, the advice and experiences shared could be useful to many others.