Suggesting a warning on the digital goods section.

[Jhanzo]

so.... since a lot of the threads there probably won't get deleted, why not put up a warning similar the one on the investor-based games there (on digital goods)?
I originally thought that pinning OGnasty's topic here will do, but I figured that half of the internet tend to skip stickies. ofc doing both would be better.

I'm not 100% sure that this will reduce the amount of people getting scammed there though. mainly because I don't know how many users there know what kind of risk they're taking.
what do you guys think?

[1713990688]

1713990688

[1713990688]

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[n691309]

so.... since a lot of the threads there probably won't get deleted, why not put up a warning similar the one on the investor-based games there (on digital goods)?
I originally thought that pinning OGnasty's topic here will do, but I figured that half of the internet tend to skip stickies. ofc doing both would be better.

I'm not 100% sure that this will reduce the amount of people getting scammed there though. mainly because I don't know how many users there know what kind of risk they're taking.
what do you guys think?

I don't think OGnasty's topic should be pinned, a warning is enough telling that mostly Gift Cards are not safe and Microsoft products(keys)

[cooldgamer]

There should be some kind of warning, although OGNasty's is pretty vague and doesn't get across the main point to new users.  This is what I'd make it:

Be Careful When Buying Digital Goods


Many items in the Digital Goods forum are purchased using stolen credit cards or illegitimate methods.  Sellers may also reverse payment on the item, leaving you either on the hook or with worthless stuff.

Beware that escrow is more or less useless when buying something digital.  Only trade with sellers that you trust.  It's better to miss out than to lose money or worse.

[racquemis]

People should be smart enough to deal with caution....

[hilariousandco]

That thread by ognasty isn't worth stickying as it is but most people probably wouldn't read it or take notice anyway. There's an automatic red warning message on the top of every PM from newbies telling the recipient to be careful if they're expecting a message from veteran user yet I still get at least one or two PMs reported to me a month by people who have been scammed by sending money to a newbie that they thought was a Hero/Ledgendary member etc. It's baffling and you just can't really do anything for these people. If we were going to put a warning it should probably just be at the top of the page like it is on some subs.

[SebastianJu]

A notice on top of threads in that subforum and currency exchange might be worth it. Similar to the newbie warning in pm's.

I saw a thread in currency exchange, someone offering to buy bitcoin with paypal, selfmoderated thread. You don't even can warn of the risk there except you give him negative trust right away. And judging from the feedback he gave a newbie bought already. I wonder if a neg trust would be justified, just in case or if this i going too far.

A notice on top would at least bring risks and safety measures to noobies attention.

[Jhanzo]

Be Careful When Buying Digital Goods


Many items in the Digital Goods forum are purchased using stolen credit cards or illegitimate methods.  Sellers may also reverse payment on the item, leaving you either on the hook or with worthless stuff.

Beware that escrow is more or less useless when buying something digital.  Only trade with sellers that you trust.  It's better to miss out than to lose money or worse.

I'd shorten it to this:

Warning: Many items in the Digital Goods forum are obtained through illegitimate methods. Sellers may also reverse payment on the item. Using escrow will not guarantee your safety. Moderators do not remove likely scams. You must use your own brain. Only trade with sellers that you trust.

the moderator part is there to reduce the possible complains of "if you knew then why didn't you remove it?". if anyone have anything better don't hesitate to speak.
have someone PMed theymos about this? if not then I'll PM him to get a fast answer.

[cooldgamer]

Be Careful When Buying Digital Goods


Many items in the Digital Goods forum are purchased using stolen credit cards or illegitimate methods.  Sellers may also reverse payment on the item, leaving you either on the hook or with worthless stuff.

Beware that escrow is more or less useless when buying something digital.  Only trade with sellers that you trust.  It's better to miss out than to lose money or worse.

I'd shorten it to this:

Warning: Many items in the Digital Goods forum are obtained through illegitimate methods. Sellers may also reverse payment on the item. Using escrow will not guarantee your safety. Moderators do not remove likely scams. You must use your own brain. Only trade with sellers that you trust.

the moderator part is there to reduce the possible complains of "if you knew then why didn't you remove it?". if anyone have anything better don't hesitate to speak.
have someone PMed theymos about this? if not then I'll PM him to get a fast answer.

I like that version better, short and to the point.  Haven't shot him a message, go ahead and do it

[Jhanzo]

PMed theymos just right around this hour yesterday. still nothing...

[Wapinter]

I think a warning message should be displayed before posting in all threads (Just like a message we get if someone posted while we type ) that belong to digital section.It will remind members of taking care before buying any stuff

[minifrij]

I think a warning message should be displayed before posting in all threads (Just like a message we get if someone posted while we type ) that belong to digital section.It will remind members of taking care before buying any stuff

That would be obnoxious, and users would likely just click through it to post rather than read and take it in. I think that a message at the top of the board as previously suggested would be the best idea.

[whywefight]

people know exactly the buy stolen stuff, they just dont care

[Jhanzo]

people know exactly the buy stolen stuff, they just dont care

not all. I for one almost never suspected a thing about those gift cards (not the accounts and others.) until recently.
some people are just hopelessly clueless about some things. I mean, there are users that got scammed by imposters despite the warning.

EDIT: sorry, may have exaggerated the first part. I mean I don't always suspect every ridiculously discounted gift cards as being hacked/stolen.

[favdesu]

due diligence is a user problem.

Do you read stickies? I don't, just like most here (I guess)

[Jet Cash]

Domain names are digital goods, and escrow can work when selling them.

[redsn0w]

I agree, a warning should be really useful (in the marketplace board).

[dogie]

due diligence is a user problem.

There are also problems with scammers making threads, getting alts or paying others to vouch for them then immediately locking the thread. If users don't see or understand their trust rating numbers from the thread, to them it looks like its legitimate.

For example: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=1344378