Suggestion and Policy

Fake accounts to write fake reviews
America_Pie See my TER Reviews 531 reads
posted


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Could you explain the reason for the question

I don't want to create drama regarding me.  Simply, a person has created multiple accounts with reviews in each one and has told me has done this.  He does this to attack providers.  I believe that he has been banned before and has had reviews pulled, many, and has had problems before with TER.

NoYellowEnvelope525 reads

... and report this SOB to Admin. Maybe they'll ban him permanently this time.

Sure if she has proof she should report him, and if TER verifies the proof they will ban the handle, but you can't be naive enough to believe someone can permanently be banned.

NoYellowEnvelope630 reads

Of course, there's always people who will try to cheat the system, eg providing false info for TER membership.  There's no rule or law that can't be broken if someone is determined to do it.  But I still think the rules should be enforced to the best of TER's ability.

However there are ways to get around it, and people do it. If TER finds out, they'll ban the person. Report him if you have proof

It seems he has at least three accounts, and has written reviews in all of them.  I believe that he has been banned before, so yes I know people can get new computers for new IP addresses and get around it.  I hope they ban him.

Posted By: perfectstorm
However there are ways to get around it, and people do it. If TER finds out, they'll ban the person. Report him if you have proof.  
 

JakeFromStateFarm576 reads

You just need to use an IP masking service.  In fact, getting a new computer but using the same IP address as the old account won't work at all.

If they did, that might be one way to help prevent some members from creating multiple accounts, and prevent some banned members from creating new accounts, but TER will also lose a percentage of legitimate members. Because of the nature of this hobby and the fact it is still illegal in the USA, many legit members feel the need to mask their IP address. Not all folks that hide their IP are up to no good.

Bad word choice. They will ban the account. TER has banned many members, but all they can do is ban the account, which means they ban the handle, and the email address associated with that handle is not allowed to create another handle. They also track IP addresses so the person can't make a new account from the same IP address. However a new email address from a different IP address, and he's back in a heartbeat. My point to you above was that they can't ban someone permanently because it is easy to make a new account. My choice of wording (person) in my post above was incorrect. They obviously can not ban a person.

NoYellowEnvelope533 reads

Full name is required to create a TER account.  TER could ban a person from opening an account using that name. It would get tricky with commonly-used names.  

And there's no guarantee that someone who's been banned will use their real name when trying to open a new account.  

BUT maybe TER could build a HUGE wall to keep banned people out!  Yeah, there's an idea!  :P

They ask for a first name and last name and an email address. How many TER members do you think used their real first and last name, the first time they started an account? TER can't ban John Smith, but they can ban [email protected]. and whatever IP address he used. Then he can sign up as [email protected] from a different IP address. TER does not ban names. They only ban email addresses and IP addresses.  

Shhhhh about building a wall. This thread might get moved to the politics board! :D

Posted By: NoYellowEnvelope
Full name is required to create a TER account.  TER could ban a person from opening an account using that name. It would get tricky with common names.
   
 And there's no guarantee that someone who's been banned will use their real name when trying to open a new account.  
   
 BUT maybe TER could build a HUGE wall to keep banned people out!  Yeah, there's an idea!  :P

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