I wrote this article on identifying ripoff artists, and believe me, not much has changed—in fact, things have become worse?
Hence, here they are.
The Top 8 Symptoms You're Dealing With a Ripper
1. A new user tries to sell something in their first post.
This act is the ultimate declaration that I am a ripper.
Some people only post their contact information and wait to attract the gullible and newbies. Some people use their other nicks to provide fake approval and feedback.
2. A new user who "claims" to be an old hand and to have been around since the days of CL, usually in his first post.
The unfortunate reality is that many of these have actually existed since then, or at least for a while. but eventually became ripper. Now returning time and time again to rip under new nicks.
Any of these should be promptly faced with "So what was your nick on (this) or other boards," or anything similar. While the odd instance of someone changing their nickname because they didn't like it does occur, the truth is that the vast majority of these people have been banned and won't dare mention their old nickname and will, at all costs, try to divert the conversation.
3. A "new user" who frequently attempts to sell numerous goods and services in a short amount of time. Without a doubt, ALL OF THESE ARE con artists.
4. Having the fraudster/ripper over.
This one is mostly the user's fault because they simply won't read the rules, guidelines, and several cautions that are highlighted in sticky posts and announcements. Who can an I get cc's, plastics, cashing out, etc. from? is a question that has been asked in a countless number of posts. A sad half-dozen per day. While the odd vendor will get in touch with someone. Usually, it is the other way around. Therefore, 99.9% of those that get in touch with the person selling services ARE RIPPERS/SCAMMERS.
5. Receiving unsolicited messages on **** or PM offering you services
When asked for references, these people frequently give their alternative nicknames right away. Additionally, a lot of newcomers fall victim to the so-called "senior member" with hundreds of posts per day. posts that are often produced in a few weeks by "post whores" with a vengeful purpose. No matter how often individuals claim otherwise, the sad truth is that for many new users, "post count does signify legitimacy."
6. A "vendor" who declares in public that they are pleased to offer escrow but alleges otherwise in private IS A RIPPER.
7. An "out of the blue" appearance of a "new" potential vendor who has strong support from "senior members." Usually, it's for plastics or Nov's, and they always get approved and end up being vendors. But WARNING! A lot of the time, this is a "old ripper" who has changed his name and is being allowed to return by his self-described "old school" friends who have a lot of power on the board and think nothing of ripping a noob. To them, ripping "one of them" is "all that matters."
8. A more recent development is the illogical assertion that "it wasn't me" that you dealt with because "my **** UIN/email got hijacked." This is how more and more users are being taken advantage of.
Contrast this with the legitimate vendor that a scammer posing as that seller targeted. a quick glance at the Vendors thread, where he lists his contact information. what his UIN is, or even whether he uses one at all. The user information of the person's IM should also be checked to see if this is, in fact, the vendor.
The Top Ten Signs You're Dealing with a Ripper or Scammer
1. Constantly posts "offers" to a board.
2. Picks a different username for each board
3. He refuses to accept escrow, or he does so publicly but not privately.
4. Uses expressions like "I don't have all fucking day" to emphasise that everything must be done quickly.
5. Says he has been a part of the scene for a long time and is well known on CP (though he won't tell you what nick he used there). Last year, he used the phrase "been around since CL days," but everyone realised that meant scammer. And sure, these men HAVE been doing scams since the days of CL.
6. He demands "TEST" dumps, CCs, full payments, PayPal accounts, and eBay accounts from you.
7. Uses an **** number that is different from the one listed in the vendor's thread or any **** number at all when the vendor publicly states that he does not use **** or even any IM for that matter. This is a scammer trying to impersonate a vendor.
8. Posts a link and begins a thread with the question, "What do you think of this site's services?" usually denotes that he is either the site's owner or a representative of the fraudulent website.
9. The only referrals he can offer you are IRC names to support him or names you've never heard of (likely his other nicks), as "nobody here knows who he is."
10. Florida offers bank drops.
Here is a portion of my Top Rippers opener, to wrap things up.
As soon as SC was arrested, I correctly anticipated that without CJ (some SS officers seemed to dislike bothersome little two-bit iRC rippers), as well as Carsen's nominal bans, ripping would skyrocket. Sp3ci4Lk was one of my most ardent admirers and a person who wholeheartedly agreed with my viewpoints. Yes, that seasoned con artist.
This exactly being the case turned out to be no surprise, right? Not only because many of the unblocked SC vendors decided it was a good moment to turn, though. However, a significant shift in the mindset of rippers was observed. Many people transitioned from "selective ripping" to full-time activity today, maybe certain that they would not be punished by a scene lacking powerful regulating boards and admins.
This deficiency not only gave fraudsters more confidence, but it also let in a large number of kiddie iRC rippers who had previously been kept out of the major boards and confined to the "infamous" ccpowerforums.
As the boards started to go downhill, they could now be seen on every board, part beggar, part two-bit scammer, ALL LAME.
The worst part, though not entirely unexpected, was perhaps how many of the most dependable, respected, and trustworthy people started acting irresponsibly one by one.
Hence, here they are.
The Top 8 Symptoms You're Dealing With a Ripper
1. A new user tries to sell something in their first post.
This act is the ultimate declaration that I am a ripper.
Some people only post their contact information and wait to attract the gullible and newbies. Some people use their other nicks to provide fake approval and feedback.
2. A new user who "claims" to be an old hand and to have been around since the days of CL, usually in his first post.
The unfortunate reality is that many of these have actually existed since then, or at least for a while. but eventually became ripper. Now returning time and time again to rip under new nicks.
Any of these should be promptly faced with "So what was your nick on (this) or other boards," or anything similar. While the odd instance of someone changing their nickname because they didn't like it does occur, the truth is that the vast majority of these people have been banned and won't dare mention their old nickname and will, at all costs, try to divert the conversation.
3. A "new user" who frequently attempts to sell numerous goods and services in a short amount of time. Without a doubt, ALL OF THESE ARE con artists.
4. Having the fraudster/ripper over.
This one is mostly the user's fault because they simply won't read the rules, guidelines, and several cautions that are highlighted in sticky posts and announcements. Who can an I get cc's, plastics, cashing out, etc. from? is a question that has been asked in a countless number of posts. A sad half-dozen per day. While the odd vendor will get in touch with someone. Usually, it is the other way around. Therefore, 99.9% of those that get in touch with the person selling services ARE RIPPERS/SCAMMERS.
5. Receiving unsolicited messages on **** or PM offering you services
When asked for references, these people frequently give their alternative nicknames right away. Additionally, a lot of newcomers fall victim to the so-called "senior member" with hundreds of posts per day. posts that are often produced in a few weeks by "post whores" with a vengeful purpose. No matter how often individuals claim otherwise, the sad truth is that for many new users, "post count does signify legitimacy."
6. A "vendor" who declares in public that they are pleased to offer escrow but alleges otherwise in private IS A RIPPER.
7. An "out of the blue" appearance of a "new" potential vendor who has strong support from "senior members." Usually, it's for plastics or Nov's, and they always get approved and end up being vendors. But WARNING! A lot of the time, this is a "old ripper" who has changed his name and is being allowed to return by his self-described "old school" friends who have a lot of power on the board and think nothing of ripping a noob. To them, ripping "one of them" is "all that matters."
8. A more recent development is the illogical assertion that "it wasn't me" that you dealt with because "my **** UIN/email got hijacked." This is how more and more users are being taken advantage of.
Contrast this with the legitimate vendor that a scammer posing as that seller targeted. a quick glance at the Vendors thread, where he lists his contact information. what his UIN is, or even whether he uses one at all. The user information of the person's IM should also be checked to see if this is, in fact, the vendor.
The Top Ten Signs You're Dealing with a Ripper or Scammer
1. Constantly posts "offers" to a board.
2. Picks a different username for each board
3. He refuses to accept escrow, or he does so publicly but not privately.
4. Uses expressions like "I don't have all fucking day" to emphasise that everything must be done quickly.
5. Says he has been a part of the scene for a long time and is well known on CP (though he won't tell you what nick he used there). Last year, he used the phrase "been around since CL days," but everyone realised that meant scammer. And sure, these men HAVE been doing scams since the days of CL.
6. He demands "TEST" dumps, CCs, full payments, PayPal accounts, and eBay accounts from you.
7. Uses an **** number that is different from the one listed in the vendor's thread or any **** number at all when the vendor publicly states that he does not use **** or even any IM for that matter. This is a scammer trying to impersonate a vendor.
8. Posts a link and begins a thread with the question, "What do you think of this site's services?" usually denotes that he is either the site's owner or a representative of the fraudulent website.
9. The only referrals he can offer you are IRC names to support him or names you've never heard of (likely his other nicks), as "nobody here knows who he is."
10. Florida offers bank drops.
Here is a portion of my Top Rippers opener, to wrap things up.
As soon as SC was arrested, I correctly anticipated that without CJ (some SS officers seemed to dislike bothersome little two-bit iRC rippers), as well as Carsen's nominal bans, ripping would skyrocket. Sp3ci4Lk was one of my most ardent admirers and a person who wholeheartedly agreed with my viewpoints. Yes, that seasoned con artist.
This exactly being the case turned out to be no surprise, right? Not only because many of the unblocked SC vendors decided it was a good moment to turn, though. However, a significant shift in the mindset of rippers was observed. Many people transitioned from "selective ripping" to full-time activity today, maybe certain that they would not be punished by a scene lacking powerful regulating boards and admins.
This deficiency not only gave fraudsters more confidence, but it also let in a large number of kiddie iRC rippers who had previously been kept out of the major boards and confined to the "infamous" ccpowerforums.
As the boards started to go downhill, they could now be seen on every board, part beggar, part two-bit scammer, ALL LAME.
The worst part, though not entirely unexpected, was perhaps how many of the most dependable, respected, and trustworthy people started acting irresponsibly one by one.