Cutting down on Scams - Safety for Bitcoin Users

[secrethedgehog]

Hi,

I have noticed many scams taking place and have notice many Bitcoin users getting hurt. I have been thinking of ways to cut down on this, Sure it would  take some work but the end goal would be to make Bitcoin more appealing to the general community, We want greater adoption and I think scamming is hurting this goal.

I would like a system for everyone and obviously with as little back-end work for the merchant as possible, But really Bitcoin is a new and volatile world and if Merchants want to accept Bitcoin and be trusted maybe they should get some form of trust from the community.

I think if core developers / personalities of Bitcoin want this global adoption this problem has to be addressed more seriously, It's turning people away.

Now just an idea and ONLY an idea to start this off.

Seal of Approval Type System - Much like the POD system for AltCoins but quicker to pass through (for less hassle) and approved by multiple trusted members of the Bitcoin community.

Site proves their legitimacy through a number of steps, Gets Issued with a Site Seal that has to link back to SiteSeal Systems website approving this site safety. This site could also show a list of all approved vendors for easy access.

Sure this would not be fool proof, but its a step in the right direction I think.

It would also mean work, But I am sure some members of the community would be happy to contribute.

Does anyone else have any ideas how we can combat this?

Thanks

SH

[NyeFe]

Why couldn't you just trade with registered and regulated companies with high liquidity?
It sounds unappealing, I understand, but why couldn't you?

In addition, it's good that you can count and record the amount of "scams" which has been committed using bitcoin, could/would you like to compare that to fiat?

[philipma1957]

It is a nice idea, but many builders of gear  don't give samples.

Also when you think about asic gear right now only Avalon and bitmaintech sell gear.  sfards has yet to sell miners.

So If ten trusted people or 5 trusted people stamp approval on gear we need  gear to approve.


Here is what I think of bitmaintech if you pay directly to their website you will get the gear.

https://www.bitmaintech.com/product.htm  

of the current gear they sell the s-5 is the only one I can speak for it is decent gear.

I do not comment on whether you can make money on it.

Avalon

 http://ehash.com/product/avalon4-module-1t/

the 4.1 is good gear seems to be sold out.

[philipma1957]

It is a nice idea, but many builders of gear  don't give samples.

Also when you think about asic gear right now only Avalon and bitmaintech sell gear.  sfards has yet to sell miners.

So If ten trusted people or 5 trusted people stamp approval on gear we need  gear to approve.


Here is what I think of bitmaintech if you pay directly to their website you will get the gear.

https://www.bitmaintech.com/product.htm  

of the current gear they sell the s-5 is the only one I can speak for it is decent gear.

I do not comment on whether you can make money on it.

Avalon

 http://ehash.com/product/avalon4-module-1t/

the 4.1 is good gear seems to be sold out.

To comment on exchanges  or cloudmining I don't approve of them since there are too many legal issues with them and how your country decides to handle BTC and alt coins.

[secrethedgehog]

Why couldn't you just trade with registered and regulated companies with high liquidity?
It sounds unappealing, I understand, but why couldn't you?

In addition, it's good that you can count and record the amount of "scams" which has been committed using bitcoin, could/would you like to compare that to fiat?

Registered company means nothing, You can start up a company in the UK now using Bitcoin and Anonymous names. SSL certs can be issues to these companies cheap.. It can look like a legit service but still be a scam.

Fiat is incomparable to Bitcoin right now IMO, It is globally adopted and of course there are going to be more scams, But really on percentage I imagine Bitcoin has a larger percentage per non-scam user to scam user.

[QuestionAuthority]

Been there done that.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=23568.0

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=87601.0

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=133844.0

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=33835.0

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=748132.0

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=36058.0

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=510747.0

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=709853.0

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=100044.0

[pooya87]

i liked your idea but i think most of all this is a kind of problem that only time and reputation can solve.
as new merchants start accepting bitcoin i think there can be some sort of an Escrow that they can use or start small and build up their reputation, then as time passes by they can be trusted.

[thebenjamincode]

you had a nice idea. But if you will ask me, Scam is like a shadow in bitcoin world. And it will always be it's shadow. We can combat Scam but not totally get rid of it. Some people would do everything for money, they don't care if they hurt someone. The only thing in their mind is bitcoin and money, they don't have conscience and they might even don't believe that God exists. That's the worst thing about scam.