A slightly hypothetical question about 'fictional' posters

[Thurlow]

I thought this might be the best topic for this.

What would, or do, you do if you come across a poster you really start to suspect is creating an entirely imaginary persona?

I don't mean people who come on and post goady, inflammatory OPs under a new username, or even those whose situation seems to escalate even within the same thread. I mean posters who maintain a pretty consistent profile across the site - just something about them or their situations makes you think that it is entirely fictional?

Now I'm not naive and have been on here a long time, I know the 99% of MN is probably complete bollocks (though don't get me wrong, there's a huge amount of great and supportive stuff on here) Also of course there's nothing wrong with making up a different life on here. It's certainly not against any rules.

I guess I'm also thinking about a poster who was banned a while ago for creating a fictional life which drew a lot of people in, got them to share some very personal and emotional things, and really hurt a lot of people when it was revealed to be entirely made up.

So if you see a poster, who you just have a gut feeling is making a lot up, and you have a worry that maybe over time - months, years - it is slowly escalating and might turn into that situation again where many, many people have been 'sucked in' (for lack of a better phrase) and then the poster will have a massive drama/event that could upset other posters - what would you do?

Sorry if this hasn't made any sense. I can't really explain it without getting more specific, which certainly wouldn't be fair or right.

Drank - I think the main problem for HQ is when a lying fantasist doesn't pist goadyfuckery, or gets people to drive and rescue them, or send them pies and a million quid, but 'just' makes stuff up. Exactly that!

Thanks Dawn, I didn't want to step on toes by starting the thread, I was just curious as well what other people do.

Ah Thurlow I've been having the same thoughts over the last few days (though possibly about different threads).

I'm inclined to report any - worries. When I was new here I used to lie awake at night worrying about posters and write long, crack of dawn posts full of advice and entreaties. Only to find the thread deleted an hour later. Now I have a heart of stone.

I never get involved in long emotive threads,seen too many novels tried out on MN.

It is really annoying when people post utter bollocks and yet people think they are the dogs bollocks, I admit.

I think sometimes threads can seem suspect because of the change of details.

A recent one about the houseguest from hell. Lots of people seemed suspicious, but I think it came across that way as the op changed some details so people were saying well that wouldn't happen in that country etc, when in fact it was details change to avoid identification.

I think the threads where the op does what they are asked when it is an awful, horrific situation are suspect. One in particular just didn't ring true, so many posters were emotionally invested and I wish I had reported at the time.

I don't get involved. I love the funny threads with people chipping in with their stories. Like, funny things kids say. They are harmless and amusing.

I always feel uncomfortable when reading these threads where the poster is in imminent danger and plays out like some sort of James Bond film with posters offering to rescue her. I often don't believe them. Or people saying they're poor and posters offering money and clothes.

Unless they were doing something to upset or annoy on the boards I wouldn't Report. Must be a sad life if you need to make up an MN-satisfying alter-ego and feel popular on here.

I'm this close to reporting a "remarkably busy for a newbie" poster who is posting innocuously enough but is triggering my cynicism.

I've been around too long not to recognise the long game - posting a lot, suddenly, with a few leading details. None triggers a WTF on its own, but together they make a neat story arc towards disaster and crisis.

It's a bit like watching The Bill or Casualty and guessing which person is going to get run over / beaten up / electrocuted and how.

I'm a very fair and generous "let's consider both sides" type in real life, but sometimes you can see fake premature labour / PAIL / DV threads coming a mile off. And they cause true distress to well-meaning people, even those who aren't taken in, so they are absolutely unacceptable.

People do it all over the internet - and damage other people in the process - so I don't think it should be taken lightly even if they appear to be anodyne. It wouldn't be appropriate to run Trolling 101 on here but I should perhaps add 'at first sight' to that last sentence.

Viviennemary I am always a bit about threads where the OP is in imminent danger. I know that's bad but it's like I can't help it.