[EDU] How to spot a scammer (Read this before doing any transactions!)

[Tomatocage]

Alright, so I've been PM'd by a few people what red-flags to look out for since I have a pretty good track record of spotting scammers.  Sometimes I get it wrong, but better safe than sorry.  Anyway, watch out for the typical behavior from scammers who will usually fit at least two or three (and sometimes even more) of the following characteristics:

0. Newbies, NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH OTHER NEWBIES, EVER. There are plenty of veteran members to do business with and ALWAYS use escrow. If you're a newbie you're doing business with another newbie, there's a 100% chance that you will get scammed (or you're a scammer yourself).
1. New account (usually created within the last 3 months, plus or minus)
2. Low-medium message count with vapid posts of little to no contributory value
3. Use of a seemingly realistic first/last name as their forum account name
4. Signs posts with full name
5. Straight out of Newbie mode right into Lending (requesting a loan of course)
6. Straight out of Newbie mode right into Currency Exchange (PayPal, Liberty Reserve, Western Union)
7. Straight out of Newbie mode and selling gift cards/codes/Steam games of any kind (they'll often be purchased with stolen CC info, leaving you holding the bag later on down the road)
8. Any user blatantly claiming to be female
9. New user trying to sell an Apple iAnything
10. Sob stories asking for handouts
11. Never send to a Bitmerch.com address for escrow!!!

There.  Pretty much in a nutshell how to spot a scammer.  There's still some finesse to spotting a scammer, but these rules will separate most of the wheat from the chaff, so to speak.  Oh, and I guess there's one more rule:

12. NEVER DO BACKROOM DEALS VIA PM WITH NEW USERS. Make sure all deals are negotiated in the open forum for both public record and peer review.

Examples of posts that fit the scammer pattern:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=193037.0 btcmank (Scammer, Numerous references, just do a search on his forum name)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=221204.0 Liberty Payout (Scammer, Numerous references, just do a search on his forum name)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=213754.0 Chalie215 (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=214277.0 Waterberry (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=212603.0 badgerman (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=188645.0 CryptoTrader (Scammer, New acct + Currency exchanging where you send first)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=188674.0 vivithemage (Pending, Old dormant account newly revived and asking for a loan)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=186031.0 kidcudi09 (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=185898.0 ashleysly (Pending, New acct + Loan req + Signs with full name + Implied female)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=183309.0 theblazehen (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=181429.0 btc-escrow.co (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=180757.0 barneyss (Pending, New acct + Loan req, Highly implausible story)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=180246.0 Slix313 (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=173718.0 ionux (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=171031.0 StealthyDamn (Pending, New acct + Get rich quick scam)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=173215.0 brie (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=172793.0 badgetman (Pending, New acct + Loan req for 2 BTC)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119896.msg1793008#msg1793008 Bitzing (New acct + Taking MP and not delivering BTC, More info, Credit goes to BCB)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=171613.0 nawazish1 (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=170446.0 zakolivers (Pending, New acct + Wants to buy BTC with PayPal. He uses a seemingly real first/last name as his username, so he's gotta be legit, right?)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=169922.0 vitalemontea (Scammer, New acct + Peddling digital goods/WU, More info)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=165884.0 Flux79 (Pending, New acct + Gift cards)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=168669.0 lucyhiggins (Scammer*, New acct + Wants you to link your bank account to his PayPal account)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=167429.0 TreePot (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=166991.0 refta (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=166438.0 OMGBobMarley (Scammer, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=166014.0 World Commerce (Pending, New acct + Reloadable CC)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=145234.0 RobertClemons (Pending, New acct + Attempting to buy BTC with Paypal acct that doesn't belong to him)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=163256.0 GoldenAngel (Pending, New acct + "Investment" req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=164166.0 Xnives99 (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=162204.0 DastanX (Scammer, New acct + Loan req, Claims it was filled but probably won't provide a TxID)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=161647.0 c0ikws (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=159934.0 ChickaDee (Scammer, New acct + Loan req, Man-in-the-Middle scam, alt of marketersales, More info, Credit goes to John (John K.))
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=159764.0 ffernandex (Pending, New acct + Loan req, I think this one was meant to be a joke though)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=158639.0 TheDarkBanker (Pending, New acct + Gift cards)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=157764.0 instaBoost (Scammer, New acct + Money exchange deals, iPhones for sale, More info)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=154761.0 BitPanda (Scammer, New acct + Loan req, Loan filled by another new acct Surpbitcoin)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=154010.0 rockso (Scammer, More info, Credit goes to Littleshop)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=153203.0 Humanxlemming (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=152965.0 MoneypakBuyer (Scammer, New acct + Loan req, More info)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=152461.0 tacoman359 (Pending, New account + Microsoft Points)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=152120.0 Darkdata (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=151995.0 otown240 (Pending, New acct + Loan req, Nvm he was instructed to post a request by kjlimo as a matter of public record)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=151563.0 bennybong (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=151398.0 whathe12 (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=151195.0 kush1218 (Scammer, New account + Gift cards, alt of firstlady0524, More info, Credit goes to Blazr)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=94513.00 xavil (Pending, Possible attempt at a fraudulent private BTC purchase, Credit goes to BCB)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=150569.0 paysafecardbitcoin (Pending, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=150349.0 Intueri (Scammer, More info, New acct + Loan req, Posting history seems to indicate a gambling habit)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=148593.0 UncleBuckRIU (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=146968.0 flavius (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=146788.0 d3adleavez (Pending*, New acct + Loan req)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=146362.0 OrangeVonPurple (Scammer*, Possibly alt of marketersales, tacoman359, and OMGBobMarley. Went straight to selling XBoxLive points.)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=145505.0 RHCwebhosting (Pending*, Multiple red-flags on this one. Should be pretty obvious)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=145274.0 bluedye (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=145219.0 nlovric (Pending, User appears to be legit)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=145225.0 nlovric (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=147357.0 ironcross360 (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=144992.0 ironcross360 (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=145195.0 emma (Pending, May be legit, but as always use caution. See: http://forum.litecoin.net/index.php/topic,1179.msg6757.html)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=144665.0 tldoctor (Pending, Now that he's had time to get a few posts in, it appears this is a legit user. His initial timing of the loan request was a bit alarming though)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=144559.0 hiddenoreo (Pending, New acct + Multiple loan reqs)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=144582.0 jspring (Pending, Gift cards)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=142104.0 flatlinezor (Pending, Gift cards)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=143883.0 tantienstar69 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=143415.0 tantienstar69 (Pending*, vouched for by audiation)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=142058.0 koelen3 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=141424.0 claire (Scammer*, Loan requests (check!), MoneyPak (check!), gift cards (check!))
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=56835.00 SirChiko (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=144012.0 realityfalacy (Pending*, Might be legit but the timing of the loan request is suspicious)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=141739.0 realityfalacy (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=141548.0 lakzo (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=141456.0 uhnonamiss (Pending, more Giftcards for Bitcoins)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=140690.0 ridgemont4 (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=140846.0 KJTetc (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=140933.0 blakbeard (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=140531.0 raven666 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=141039.0 cardinalG (Scammer*, More info)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=140049.0 cardinalG (Scammer*, More info)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=140095.0 AndrewJ (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=139935.0 constitution (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=139727.0 itai3856 (Scammer, More info)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=139257.0 tono18 (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=139398.0 tono18 (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=137865.0 thomison360 (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=88315.00 unkn0wn12 (Scammer*, More info)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136346.0 furrycoat (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=137633.0 SouthernComfort (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136941.0 JonMcAlpine (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136785.0 chillywilly (Pending*, possible alt of cozz)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=130251.0 Ploni (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136282.0 marketersales (Scammer*, Accused of scamming then "found loan elsewhere" but no TXID provided)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136306.0 teodor87 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=138807.0 shoopwooper (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=135612.0 shoopwooper (Pending*, "found loan elsewhere" but no TXID provided)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=135459.0 Marker88 (Pending, long-dormant 2011 account recently revived)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=138131.0 Jakers (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136749.0 Jakers (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=134835.0 Jakers (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=131217.0 swc1 (Scammer)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=133052.0 leominer (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=132983.0 AnonCard (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=129567.0 SynOps (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=130459.0 drakedog (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=129557.0 heart_mons (Pending*, User has had one successful loan of 5BTC before, but defaulted on another loan)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=134921.0 61197da925c1 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=129615.0 61197da925c1 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=129508.0 Dakster (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=126470.0 Dakster (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=133368.0 Roxyoursox (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=128437.0 Roxyoursox (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=128017.0 andrew12 (Old dormant account suddenly revived and now asking for a loan)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=126819.0 pereiaex (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=127143.0 quirky53 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=123435.0 Crookid (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=120647.0 Metta28 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=122729.0 RantinRave (Pending)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=122668.0 Serenity.Sapphire (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=121136.0 pat231 (Scammer* though I suspect he's less a scammer and more likely just really bad at managing his money)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119831.0 jackdavis1983 (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=122082.0 hobo66. (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=121998.0 Ssoftware (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=120233.0 Bitcoinscene (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119871.0 ChrisNelson (Pending*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119384.0 CoinCleaner (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=121012.0 LionHeart (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=119824.0 LionHeart (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=118514.0 Gretchen (Scammer*)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=99233.00 noobularkid (Scammer*)

* Account appears to have been abandoned once it was flagged as a scammer, or became apparent he wasn't getting a loan.

Please note that the accounts listed above aren't necessarily or automatically assumed to be scammers. They just fit the description, so to speak.

Examples of posts that fit the pattern that were successful:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=154985.0 Wardrick (Successful loan!, Little late on the payback, but he eventually came through)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=141182.0 hardup (Successful Loan!, 2.0 BTC, Several weeks late, but eventually paid back)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=185004.0 bennett616 (Successful Loan!, 0.1 BTC)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=153274.0 Mosper (Successful Loan!, 15.0 BTC, but repayment had to be coerced from lendee)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=158761.0 shibaji (Successful Loan!, Used collateral, 10.0 BTC)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=129567.0 SynOps (Pending, Due to the spike in exchange rate it's become difficult to pay back the entire amount borrowed at once, but SynOps appears to be making an honest effort of it, after further investigation, it appears SynOps was using a MITM scam, More info, Credit goes to Kelticfox Sonnyblack and Glooboy)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=141215.0 Currencevents (Successful Loan! 4.0 BTC, https://btcjam.com/listings/1573)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=149335.0 Jenger (Successful Loan! 0.5 BTC)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=137766.0 MoneypakTrader.com (Successful Trades!, Has completed a few successful transactions. As always, use caution, even when dealing with senior members)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136132.0 DPony13 (Successful Loan! 2.5 BTC, Ended up defaulting on another loan)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=122658.0 xx78213 (Successful Loan! 0.2 BTC)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=123728.0 heart_mons (Successful Loan! 5.0 BTC, Ended up defaulting on another loan)
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=134918.0 polymorphous (Successful Trade! 2.0 BTC)

TLDR: Be careful before you freely give away your coins. From the evidence collected here, you stand substantial chance of getting ripped off if lending to someone who fits the scammer profile.  If that chance is worth making an extra 1-10% on your money, I can't stop you.

Edit: This next section will list Email addresses associated with known scammers. Users are advised to not send PayPal (or anything really) to these addresses.

1. smkvoip@gmail.com | associated with payypalexchange.blogspot.com (beware of [whatever exchange name].blogspot.com are 100% certain scams)
2. selinadeola@hotmail.com | associated with payypalexchange.blogspot.com (beware of [whatever exchange name].blogspot.com are 100% certain scams)
3. computerclubx@gmail.com | associated with attempted BTC sale scam.

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[bbit]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136785.0 chillywilly (Pending)

^^ This one is def. some sort of wierd scam he even PM's you lol....

[21after2]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136785.0 chillywilly (Pending)

^^ This one is def. some sort of wierd scam he even PM's you lol....

He just asked for a BTC0.5 loan, then got all mad and quit the forum (or something). He seemed pretty desperate to get a loan from anyone.

[bbit]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136785.0 chillywilly (Pending)

^^ This one is def. some sort of wierd scam he even PM's you lol....

He just asked for a BTC0.5 loan, then got all mad and quit the forum (or something). He seemed pretty desperate to get a loan from anyone.

Yes, which puts him on the "potential scammer list" . It might be a sock puppet account for that Torac guy forget his full bitcointalk account name...

[Tomatocage]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136785.0 chillywilly (Pending)

^^ This one is def. some sort of wierd scam he even PM's you lol....

He just asked for a BTC0.5 loan, then got all mad and quit the forum (or something). He seemed pretty desperate to get a loan from anyone.

He exhibits multiple characteristics of the typical scammer to boot.  On top of that, if he has to beg for a half a Bitcoin for nearly a week, chances are high he's not going to be able to come up with another half a Bitcoin to pay back.

[21after2]

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=136785.0 chillywilly (Pending)

^^ This one is def. some sort of wierd scam he even PM's you lol....

He just asked for a BTC0.5 loan, then got all mad and quit the forum (or something). He seemed pretty desperate to get a loan from anyone.

He exhibits multiple characteristics of the typical scammer to boot.  On top of that, if he has to beg for a half a Bitcoin for nearly a week, chances are high he's not going to be able to come up with another half a Bitcoin to pay back.

Exactly. And that 0.5 BTC loan was down from a previous request for 2. To me it feels like he was lowering the amount to draw more people in.

[repentance]

Scammers using dormant accounts seem to go on a posting spree just before they ask for a loan to get their post count up.  It's a good idea to check the post history and not just the post count.  While some people genuinely don't post very often, it always looks suspicious to me if someone who hasn't posted for months suddenly makes 30 posts just prior to asking for a loan.

[Tomatocage]

Scammers using dormant accounts seem to go on a posting spree just before they ask for a loan to get their post count up.  It's a good idea to check the post history and not just the post count.  While some people genuinely don't post very often, it always looks suspicious to me if someone who hasn't posted for months suddenly makes 30 posts just prior to asking for a loan.

+1 Excellent advice here.

[Marker88]

My account was dormant because i couldn't figure out why i couldn't reply, then late 2011 early 2012 I came back and figured it out >.<

[Matthew N. Wright]

@OP: I feel compelled to post here on an additional vector that is not often discussed-- inadvertent scamming. Many people who have had all the best intentions (fund operators, business owners, etc) but have been screwed by others due to bets, loans, or just their own bad business practices have been labeled as "scammers" as well. The label itself isn't so important I guess as it is that people may have trusted them, depended on them to pay on a certain time, and were subsequently let down and unable to handle their own finances as a result. This is may not be intentional scamming, but I would say in addition to outright scammers, something to watch out for would be:

• Talking about work more than they actually work
• Little preparation involved in the work around the request, but much preparation in the request itself
• Desperacy
• Arrogance
• Ease of assurances / eagerness to give guarantees

In my personal life and in experiences dealing with others, I have found that most of the financial difficulties I've experienced first hand were preceded by one or more of the above. It's obviously not a sure fire list, and many people are just not people persons, but in a community where 13 year olds are trying to run their own "investment funds", and 18 year olds who have been to jail for possession of acid who ask for millions of dollars, it's important to look into these personal qualities carefully.

Disclaimer: I have met more than one of the above at least once in my life and I too have let people down financially more than once in my life.

[Tomatocage]

@Matthew Yeah I don't really consider you a scammer in the standard sense.

[fbastage]

"Deadbeat" tag

but "scammer" is close enough, barring creating a mutiplicity of tags

perhaps if you wanted to be more politically sensitive, rename it "buyer beware" tag

[Monster Tent]

Along with not using paypal for bitcoin you shouldnt lend people bitcoins. It just encourages scammers.

[tjohej]

8. Any user blatantly claiming to be female

Then also
9. Any user blatantly claiming to be male?

Explain?

[21after2]

8. Any user blatantly claiming to be female

Then also
9. Any user blatantly claiming to be male?

Explain?

There actually are females using bitcoin, but it is common practice among scammers to pretend to be females in order to receive more favorable conditions, including using it as a scapegoat for making various mistakes. (read: I'm just a helpless girl!)

To add on to this: regardless of their sex, why would anyone need to announce their gender? You don't see the males of the forum going "Can anyone lend me some BitCoin? I'm a guy, btw "

People aren't likely to announce that they're a female if they're actually a female. The ones who do are either looking for special attention or are trying to scam people because, as we all know, no male on the internet has ever talked to a woman before.

[Korbman]

5. Straight out of Newbie mode right into Lending (requesting a loan of course)
6. Straight out of Newbie mode right into Currency Exchange (PayPal, Liberty Reserve, Western Union)
7. Straight out of Newbie mode and selling gift cards/codes/Steam games of any kind (they'll often be purchased with stolen CC info, leaving you holding the bag later on down the road)

Also to add onto this, "Straight out of Newbie mode right into Securities (gathering funding for an investment project with high ROI)".

I've seen this happen a couple of times. People have sort of learned their lesson after Pirate, but better safe than sorry I suppose.

[b3b456de]

And I fit criteria #7 for being a scammer (except for the stolen part).  That's cool.  Do I get an award if I can create a post that matches all eight criteria?

Anyways thanks for the list.

[ruggedman_dan]

Please confirm Jakers as a scammer on the list. There is plenty of confirmation in the "beware of jakers" thread.

Thanks.

[hardup]

Wow all you do speculate about ppl scamming on this post...
Wtf lol

[Korbman]

Wow all you do speculate about ppl scamming on this post...
Wtf lol

Welcome to Bitcoin.

Unfortunately, most of the speculations noted above are pretty true to form. Watch yourself out there