Should misleading usernames be restricted on the forum?

[The Cryptovator]

Should some users get banned due to their usernames? This came to my mind when I saw this username officialmoderator. Either should prevent such usernames or should ban them after creation. Because the username is kind of misleading, newbies would be confused when they see the username. Though the scam isn't moderated, it's pretty easy to scam newbies with this username on the forum. I am not against this user, but I think the username is quite confusing.

Who knows if someone could create Satoshi Nakamoto? Still, it's empty, and someone may try it unless the forum prevents them. So better prevent creating such a username or ban when noticed.

[Zaguru12]

Should some users get banned due to their usernames? This came to my mind when I saw this username officialmoderator. Either should prevent such usernames or should ban them after creation. Because the username is kind of misleading, newbies would be confused when they see the username. Though the scam isn't moderated, it's pretty easy to scam newbies with this username on the forum. I am not against this user, but I think the username is quite confusing.

Who knows if someone could create Satoshi Nakamoto? Still, it's empty, and someone may try it unless the forum prevents them. So better prevent creating such a username or ban when noticed.

I think I agree with this at least if there isn’t any restrictions for this names there should be tag for it, basically a neutral tag to actually make people understand that the account isn’t associated to the forum moderator or administrator and shouldn’t be take as one. because imagine a newbie coming onto the forum they can actually be tricked.

But overall i actually respect the fact that there is no restrictions on username creations here to avoid some kind of control.

[Hazink]

I will say your idea is a bit similar to the opinions shared in this thread: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5575557.msg66444067#msg66444067

People who creates accounts with official admin, official moderators, official staffs they all fall under impersonation and such account should be nuked down, experienced members are those who are observant might notice they are not really official but newbies could fall prey to it.

I can't suggest the forum to limit which name could be used to create an account but when such alarming user name appear we should report them to moderators to decide what punish serves the user right and the DTs handing out some warning tags work also be bad.

[_act_]

I also agree with this because such accounts can start to PM newbies to just try to scam them. There are some names that people should not be able to use to register on this forum. Any name containing admin, moderator, including the username of most reputed ones like theymos should be under restrictions for registration.

[Churchillvv]

but when such alarming user name appear we should report them to moderators to decide what punish serves the user right.

We must not even report them first before actions can be taken, baring such name is like intruding the forum because their is always a hidden agenda to such name or maybe recreating a reputable members name (like hampuz who is good at campaign stuffs) they should be giving tags immediately you see them, I also acknowledge that not all tags show because of the trust system yet if you give a tag someone with more trust sees it and also give a tag it then appears visible since the forum can’t stop username creation.

[un_rank]

I agree with this suggestion. There are lots of unsuspecting newbies that may have an issue , make a post and get a dm from a user with this kind of username. They will be more willing to enter a conversation with them could fall victim of a scam along the way.

I will say your idea is a bit similar to the opinions shared in this thread: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5575557.msg66444067#msg66444067

The difference is new members are the target for these kind of scams. They should not know any of the popular members but they could react to an account impersonating a position they could look towards for guidance.

- Jay -

[Ultegra134]

I also saw the user (and the corresponding topic) that you're referring to, and I mentioned it as well. Such usernames are misleading, and could even be claimed as imposting actual moderators (or other users in other cases). I understand that only a fool would fall victim from a user named "officialmoderator" with a newbie rank, but still, it would suck for someone ignorant to actually believe he's a moderator of the forum.

Any name containing admin, moderator, including the username of most reputed ones like theymos should be under restrictions for registration.

This is the most correct approach, although some smartasses may still find "alternatives" to this rule, or some might create accounts imposting other users, it still deals with some people automatically, the rest should be reported manually from us, the daily users.

[Hazink]

I also agree with this because such accounts can start to PM newbies to just try to scam them.

And the newbie warning which are usually shown when a newbie sent a message might not be easily noticed by follow newbies which they target.

but when such alarming user name appear we should report them to moderators to decide what punish serves the user right.

We must not even report them first before actions can be taken,

Reporting them to moderators they are the ones who can take the nuke down action, and in a case where the person just creates the username and goes straight to start posing as what they are answering handling out tags can also be done, I don't see any stress in reporting them to mods in my own opinion and what ever action anyone who comes across such name takes can be justifiably.

[Alpha Marine]

As much as I understand the concern and what others say, this is a price to pay for freedom
As people, we all have a responsibilty of our own safety and privacy. Everything cannot be done for us. One of those responsibilities is to be smart. On social network sites like Twitter and Facebook, I can create a username with "Elon Musk" or "Mark Zuckerberg". The good thing is that in this community, once people see the username like the one OP talked about, it would be tagged immediately to let newbies know they are not "moderators". I think I have seen a similar case like this recently that was tagged too.

It is the job of every user to make sure they go through the profile and trust rating of anybody that tries to do business with them. You don't need to be on the forum for 10 months to know this. Accounts like that are just troll accounts to me, because I don't believe there is any way they can actually scam people with that, not here at least.

[cryptoaddictchie]

I also agree with this because such accounts can start to PM newbies to just try to scam them. There are some names that people should not be able to use to register on this forum. Any name containing admin, moderator, including the username of most reputed ones like theymos should be under restrictions for registration.

Make sense but as far as I know dm from newbies account trigger a warning right and they will be given such noticed even to prominent users. But I like the idea of OP restricting that will certainly prevent such manner of scamming from newbies.

Also its make sense cause I saw some web3 style like domain avoiding to use such names of popular users so this can be possible also here.

[Don Pedro Dinero]

Should some users get banned due to their usernames? This came to my mind when I saw this username officialmoderator. Either should prevent such usernames or should ban them after creation.

I'm more inclined towards the latter. The forum allows quite a lot of freedom, as has been mentioned, and an automatic restriction would limit that, but I think there are cases like the one you mention where the account should be banned.

But if the forum administrator has not taken such action, I suppose he has his reasons.

[libert19]

Meh. I don't understand fuss about usernames. We have tags, 'Staff' — under actual staff, 'Administrator' for actual admin, 'Founder' under actual Satoshi. If somebody impersonates established users, there are stats to compare.

[SuperBitMan]

Some weeks ago a created this thread
similar name registration should not be allowed because I discovered some set of people are creating similar names to that of a reputable member and using it to scam, and from the answers I got it seems it won’t be possible to stop similar registration of names, and the reasons they gave was understandable.

Your question “should some users get banned due to their usernames?”
The answer I will give here is no, users should not be banned because of their usernames, the only reason they should be ban is if they start scamming people in the forum.
I will leave you with the motive of this forum, and that’s one of the reasons why this suggestion may not be possible.

the forum's mission to be as free as possible.

[LoyceV]

He's Nuked

the only reason they should be ban is if they start scamming people in the forum.

People don't get banned for scamming.

I will leave you with the motive of this forum, and that’s one of the reasons why this suggestion may not be possible.

the forum's mission to be as free as possible.

"As free as possible" has limits

[SuperBitMan]

the only reason they should be ban is if they start scamming people in the forum.

People don't get banned for scamming.

Are you serious, but why?
If people can get ban for plagiarism then why should a scammer that has been caught scamming people not get banned, is it that plagiarism is a bigger offense than scamming people of their money, as for me they are both crime and scam is even more serious, if scammers can be lift to remain on the forum even after being caught of such act, don’t you think the forum is indirectly promoting scam activity?

[lovesmayfamilis]

As much as I understand the concern and what others say, this is a price to pay for freedom
As people, we all have a responsibilty of our own safety and privacy. Everything cannot be done for us. One of those responsibilities is to be smart. On social network sites like Twitter and Facebook, I can create a username with "Elon Musk" or "Mark Zuckerberg". The good thing is that in this community, once people see the username like the one OP talked about, it would be tagged immediately to let newbies know they are not "moderators". I think I have seen a similar case like this recently that was tagged too.

It is the job of every user to make sure they go through the profile and trust rating of anybody that tries to do business with them. You don't need to be on the forum for 10 months to know this. Accounts like that are just troll accounts to me, because I don't believe there is any way they can actually scam people with that, not here at least.

As always, it's an adult's answer. Let's not forget that this is a forum for adults who will be interacting with their finances here. Doesn't this mean that everyone should be attentive, not only here on the forum but also on the Internet in general? In the end, let's write an 18+ warning, that is, there is no school here and no kindergarten in which an adult stands behind every child and protects them.

Remember how children start walking on their own. They just stop holding their hands so that they can walk on their own. Let the newbies make mistakes if they haven't been taught to be cautious yet, elsewhere on the internet. Whether it's a nickname or something else, it seems that the forum owes someone something?

Teach them:

I stumbled, dusted myself off, got up, and walked - just like that, everywhere and everywhere.

[rdluffy]

A user with a name like “moderator,” “admin,” or something similar clearly chose that nickname with something in mind
We older users won't be confused, but we have to consider the entire forum and the newbies who might fall for some kind of scam

My opinion is that these nicknames should be blocked at creation to avoid any problems
Although I am not aware of any such scams here on the forum, it is always good to be proactive and take precautions

A small example is that someone could have a nickname like this, build something good here on the forum, and then sell that account to a malicious user, which could lead to some kind of scam 

[LoyceV]

People don't get banned for scamming.

Are you serious, but why?

From the rules:

19. Possible (or real) scams and Trust ratings are not moderated (to prevent moderation abuse).

Apart from possible abuse: who's going to decide who is or isn't a scammer? Many DT-members have negative feedback:

Update:
    1. 11425: gmaxwell (Trust: +13 / =0 / -1) (DT1! (21) 9405 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
    2. 224980: cryptodevil (Trust: +10 / =0 / -1) (DT1! (5) 254 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
    3. 2676: casascius (Trust: +5 / =0 / -1) (191 Merit earned) (Trust list) (BPIP)
    4. 23324: Balthazar (Trust: +2 / =1 / -1) (362 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
    5. 31931: Anduck (Trust: +17 / =2 / -1) (72 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
    6. 38894: SaltySpitoon (Trust: +21 / =1 / -1) (1162 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
    7. 65317: bigtimespaghetti (Trust: +19 / =0 / -1) (57 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
    8. 98986: TMAN (Trust: +22 / =1 / -1) (1308 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
    9. 198573: Hueristic (Trust: +3 / =0 / -1) (5906 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
   10. 222376: shogun47 Banned! (Trust: +1 / =1 / -0) (69 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
   11. 314910: bitkilo (Trust: +3 / =1 / -1) (10 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
   12. 334524: CryptoDatabase (Trust: +1 / =0 / -1) (5 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
   13. 344390: MovieBTC (Trust: +0 / =0 / -1) (0 Merit earned) (Trust list) (BPIP)
   14. 352429: BitcoinPenny (Trust: #  +49 / =3 / -5) (1288 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
   15. 364455: ajiz138 (Trust: +1 / =0 / -2) (663 Merit earned) (Trust list) (BPIP)
   16. 487377: Kalemder (Trust: +0 / =0 / -1) (1227 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
   17. 520313: Lutpin (Trust: +33 / =2 / -1) (874 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
   18. 552507: BTCC_Official (Trust: +7 / =2 / -1) (44 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
   19. 765632: bL4nkcode (Trust: #  +15 / =2 / -3) (808 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)
   20. 849090: tomahawk9 (Trust: +2 / =1 / -1) (744 Merit earned) (Trust list) (BPIP)
   21. 1051955: roycilik (Trust: +12 / =0 / -1) (1906 Merit earned) (Custom Trust list) (BPIP)

I don't think the forum would be better if all of them would be banned.

don’t you think the forum is indirectly promoting scam activity?

Over the years, I'm appreciating theymos' hands-off approach to freedom more and more. Give it time, you may appreciate it eventually.
There's another pitfall: banning scammers can give users a false sense of security. Even if all known scammers are banned, there will always be unknown scammers and users should think for themselves before trusting someone.