Bitcoin Forum

Why do other members not want to release their phone number or other information?   

um third, bitcoin originally attracted the types that don't necessarily think that their info is needed because of bitcoin.  the ultimate burden is on the buyer, which creates an interesting marketplace.

I've actually never been asked for such information, but I think its just a safety thing. It does give me some creepy vibes to hand out info like that.

Same reason I don't give you my SSN/CCi/BACi. You don't need it, and there is nothing you will do with it, that will benefit me. And because revealing personal info on the internet is just generally a stupid idea.

I've exchanged numbers with several members so I'm not sure what you mean? But I assume that if some people won't reveal these things they have their reasons. For example, they might be a 12-year-old posing as an adult, a bot posing as a human, etc., etc.  :D

Or god forbid, somebody doesn't want you calling them for no reason :P

Well from what I see, this forum has it's fair share of fraud users.  There's no way I'm going to purchase anything without some verification,  I don't care what their "trust" rating is.

good for you? It's up to you ultimately whether or not you want to trade something.

Why not use escrow? And having someone's phone number will not reduce risk of fraud. VOIP will slap you in the face.

Having a phone number tells you a lot,  but talking to them tells you much more.  How can anyone in their right mind send money to someone without doing this basic bit of due diligence?

Anyone dealing with myself will know who I am within moments of the phone call,  my company, my online history, etc.

I advise anyone wanting to purchase anything,  DO NOT PURCHASE without calling them first.  If they won't let you call them,  don't do it.

No offense, but I wouldn't share any of my contact info with my clients here, and I think they have been served well and I don't have any complaints.

I would not share a personal phone number with anyone on the internet that I don't want at my doorstep. It is stupid to give out identifiying information to people you don't know.

Absolutely! Lots of psychos out there, and just in general a psycho could read my post history and find enough reason to want to show up on my doorstep.

If you have someone's phone number, what is that going to do for you? Pirateat40 nabbed 1 Million Bitcoins, and his address, name, phone number, etc was all known information. Had he not been busted by the Gov for being involved in a ponzi, nothing else would have happened. If you threaten someone who has taken your internet funny money, you are the criminal. I'm not sure what suing would do, I know a while ago Bitcoin wasn't considered money nor a commodity, so you couldn't sue over it. Not sure about now. I'm sure it has some legal process now, but I'm not sure what would come out of it.

I wouldn't share my information with anyone I don't trust personally either, like others have said, the internet is a funny place, and the general Bitcoin userbase tends to be people you don't really want hassling you.

INSANE business practice,  "I won't give them any of my information,  they have to trust me".  What are you hiding?   No thanks,  anyone not willing to give me basic information about who they are is not going to get my money for any items.

Look at the "SCAM" category of this forum.  FULL of complaints.  

I can't believe anyone would be so naive as to make a purchase in this manner.

One thing that you won't see in the scam accusation is, "I used Escrow."

Cue escrow service plug?

So you would advise I go by this forum "trust" rating, and send someone $8000USD for a Jupiter miner based on that.  I'd like to know if the person I am buying from is located in Nigeria,  have you ever called someone in Nigeria?  I have.. numerous times, pretty easy to tell it's not the deal you want to make at that point.  I've called scammers all over the world,  not going to give away too much information about that, but basically with a phone call I can tell you if I'm comfortable or not with a purchase.

Maybe the Nigerians have not discovered this forum yet,  when they do.. I have a feeling everyone's process of purchase will change.

I've purchased stuff from Africa before. What legal discourse would you have if they scammed you out of $8000 even if you had their phone number and information? My version of trustworthiness, has to do with self interest. If someone is making $10000 per week operating a business, or doing escrow deals, chances are that they would not give up that regular income to scam you out of $8000.


Nah, I only do escrow when people approach me first. Its a lot of work, and it can be pretty nerve racking when someone's $20,000 Miner legitimately goes missing in the mail.

Granted all my transactions are about $1300 and below each on this forum, so don't have any experience with any HUGE one time transactions.

Yeah thats the problem with some bitcoin weirdos. I give my phone # out all the time and would never send anyone 8k in btc for a miner without an address and phone #. I offer an escrow service, but other than that its all a gamble. Someone in australia tried to rip me off and then I found him on FB and got all of hes family members information and threatened to email his whole family and tell them he was a scammer, and I would of too.