Could we introduce a simple “Report Suspicious Account” feature so members can flag profiles for moderator review? Scammers often build legitimate-looking accounts over time (as seen on platforms like Reddit) before targeting users—especially in immigration, housing, socializing, and city forums. Unfortunately, these are exactly the areas where newcomers and vulnerable users seek help.
Currently, there doesn’t seem to be a direct way to flag a suspicious account for monitoring. A discreet “Report Account” option (separate from reporting individual posts) would help moderators proactively review patterns of behaviour before harm occurs.
Although its a common sense not to reveal personal details on public forums, it would also help to add a visible header disclaimer reminding members not to share personal details (name, address, email, phone, passport info, etc.) via private messages.
This would help keep the forum safer for everyone.
I think they’re just suggesting an extra layer, not replacing the report button. Reporting posts works, but reporting patterns of behavior could be useful too.
profile/account level reporting - so that mods can closely monitor present/past posts of the person and take steps to ban the person in question… Not sure if mods can also read the DMs- if so that would be more useful in identifying suspecious accounts that engage/encourage people in DMing, eventually leading them to share phone number/scams
One should never share personal contact details with strangers encountered online. Yet, I frequently come across posts about “feeling lonely,” “organizing meetups,” or “online language exchanges,” where some long-standing forum members are quick to welcome newcomers and even encourage them to send direct messages.
A few days ago, I publicly stated that I would no longer be responding to DMs. Within minutes of posting that, I received one. I chose not to engage and promptly reported the account to a moderator. While the sender appeared to be a legitimate member, I found the behavior concerning — they had clearly read my message stating I wouldn’t be responding to DMs, yet proceeded to send one anyway. That, to me, is a red flag worth taking seriously.
Sorry for being rude and reporting you, Izzy. I’ve lost some trust with online forum people lately — probably a combo of recent experiences and just getting older
happy to see that there are people in the forum who have a critical eye on these issues.