Warning messages when people offer to help OPs

[YourMotherChucksRocksInHull]

Hello,

I'm just interested about the warning messages you post on threads where people are offering practical or financial help to Ops.

An example of one from today is here:

"As it's been flagged to us that some folk are very kindly offering RL help to the OP, we just wanted to post our usual in these circumstances, which is:

We do advise all our members to be aware that not everyone on t'internet is who they say they are, and that, although we're awed daily by the astonishing support our members give each other through life's trickier twists and turns, we'd always caution anyone never to give more of themselves to another poster, emotionally or financially, than they can afford to spare.

Thanks
MNHQ"

I just wondered how you decide which threads to post this on - is it reliant on an MNer flagging a thread to MNHQ, or do MNHQ keep an eye on threads in case there are any offers of help?

I'm just interested as to what the process is for deciding which thread gets a message, and which one doesn't?

I know I've donated money a couple of times in the past (once when a long-term poster had a bereavement, can't remember what the other one was). Is there a process for ensuring those appeals are legit?

Just curious, really (and not intending to single out the particular thread that message as on today, as I don't think it's relevant).

It's usually becuase they have had reports. There is NO way MNHQ can validate that someone is genuine really.

Its a post to warn people who offer help in RL as people have done this in the past and it was all bullshit.

Unless MNHQ visit the posters at their home they have no way of knowing. So this is beat thing they can do

Don't think there is a process to check they are legit. It's just down to if the post has been reported to MNHQ, if they can see offers are being made then they post the warning. If its a known troll they can delete but most offen they have to take if at face value.

My Op was obviously too waffly I understand what the message is for. The bit I want an answer to is this:

"I'm just interested as to what the process is for deciding which thread gets a message, and which one doesn't?"

Major - but that is a process, isn't it? The process being that MNers report and MNHQ post the message.

Sorry, major - I see you were referring to their being no process to approve legitimacy - understood.

MNera report and MNHQ read and decide whether a warning is necessary. It doesn't mean the poster is lying.

there

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.

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.

Thanks Hyva - it's this bit I'm interested in, really:

" It isn't judging any OP, it just comes up when people are asked for and/or offer their money, items, or personal visits."

Does it come up on EVERY thread where there are offers of help?

So, say I've written an OP in which I've neither asked for, nor accepted help..and another OP has done the same.

Is it possible that one one of us could get that warning message? Or would we both automatically get it? I understand the sentiment behind it, just thinking how I'd feel if I'd started a thread and was getting support and my thread came with a health warning, but someone else's didn't?

"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"

But is it fair to only post a health warning on some threads, but not others (if that's what happens?)

Is the process reliant on MNHQ happening to notice it, and/or on it being flagged by MNers. And if so, how does it feel to be an OP who has their thread singled out for this, while others don't?

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Hopefully MNHQ will be able to answer my questions as I'm interested in their policies on this :)

personal, not person.

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.

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.

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]

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.

So you should assume that your thread has been reported if you get that message?

As it's been flagged to us

No need to assume anything as it says in the post