BST Rule Request - Skype addresses

[Sephrata]

I have a very simple and I think, useful approach when it comes to Skype addresses.

There are a number of BST threads where the owner of thread has listed his Skype address and there appears to be multiple versions of the same, or similar, address in Skype's system.

Some of these addresses are users who are trying to scam people by purporting to be the original, legitimate seller from here. Sometimes they will use identical avatars, which makes it very difficult to see who is the real person and who is the copycat.

Example of this would be:

blackhatworld
live:blackhatworld
blackhatworlds

If you were to search for blackhatworld in Skype, all three would appear. One could be the real seller on here, but the others could be scammers.

Now one thing I've never understood is when a BST thread owner is aware that there is a copycat that is using a similar Skype address to scam people, why do they not change their Skype address? Not only are they losing sales, but they are allowing other people to be scammed. I really struggle to get my head around this.

I am also quite incredulous in this regard as I do not think that every case involves a copycat scammer. I even had one user who claimed there was a copycat person scamming people with a similar Skype, but both he and the 'scammer' shared the same Neteller email address.

So, I have two suggestions to avoid this scenario:

1) All Skype addresses posted in the opening sales post should use the 'Contact Me' creation tool (https://www.skype.com/en/developer/create-contactme-buttons/). I believe this uses basic HTML and would be supported on the forum. I've tested this tool and as long as you put in the correct Skype address in the first place, it will mean a conversation only opens to that address.

2) If it becomes apparent there are people being scammed by a copycat Skype account, then the BST admin/mods should require the thread owner to change their Skype address.

 

[awesomewebsites]

2) If it becomes apparent there are people being scammed by a copycat Skype account, then the BST admin/mods should require the thread owner to change their Skype address.

Would n't changing the skype address require to add existing contacts again to new address ? This can be a headache. One should always confirm with a pm on Bhw especially for big purchase.

 

[Sephrata]

Would n't changing the skype address require to add existing contacts again to new address ? This can be a headache. One should always confirm with a pm on Bhw especially for big purchase.

Yes. I believe once a Skype address is created, it's permanent and the only way to change it is to create a new account.

I understand it would be a headache, but it's simple to create multiple Skype accounts and use them all at the same time. It would be easy to have a new Skype address just for the BST thread.

 

[Aprium]

Yes. I believe once a Skype address is created, it's permanent and the only way to change it is to create a new account.

I understand it would be a headache, but it's simple to create multiple Skype accounts and use them all at the same time. It would be easy to have a new Skype address just for the BST thread.

Your solution is not sound as you want the BST sellers to play a game of whack-a-mole with the impersonators by changing emails every time a new scammer starts using the old Skype. The only possible solution I see is for the buyers to confirm with the seller via PM like @krishnaverma has said.

 

[Sephrata]

Your solution is not sound as you want the BST sellers to play a game of whack-a-mole with the impersonators by changing emails every time a new scammer starts using the old Skype. The only possible solution I see is for the buyers to confirm with the seller via PM like @krishnaverma has said.

There were two suggestions.

The first is very simple to do and implement. The second is ultimately in the seller's interest as they are losing money (if there really is an imposter).

 

[Sherb]

Pulling people to offline messaging platforms for the purchase of sales discussions for products offered on BHW should, IMO, negate BHW being responsible for handling mediation. Being pulled to Skype when I want to purchase a service is typically my first exit point when inquiring about services here.

If you are unable to hold a professional conversation via PM, then there are other issues that need to be discussed. This is why I only use Skype when current clients specifically request it, and only for quick conversations.

It's a security measure for members, as all PM's can be looked over by administration without the worry of screenshot or text altering, or waiting days for someone to respond in a shitlist. It's also a way for shitlist-handling mods like @BassTrackerBoats, @jazzc, @Zwielicht, and formerly @OldSalt to not have to pore through dozens of repetitive Skype screenshots with chopped messages and dozens of "bro" and "sir" and "hello".

That's just me though. I like your link idea, @Sephrata. As @krishnaverma persistently says: "lets wait and see what mods have to say about the issue ."

EDIT: Oh hey 1500 messages what up.

 

[awesomewebsites]

. As @krishnaverma persistently says: "lets wait and see what mods have to say about the issue ."

EDIT: Oh hey 1500 messages what up.

You got good observation skills and a sharp memory. Congrats for reaching 1500 posts.

 

[Sephrata]

Being pulled to Skype when I want to purchase a service is typically my first exit point when inquiring about services here.

I vehemently dislike Skype. I was forced to use it to talk to AMs and now I use it primarily to talk to VAs as well as some suppliers.

If you are unable to hold a professional conversation via PM, then there are other issues that need to be discussed. This is why I only use Skype when current clients specifically request it, and only for quick conversations.

Some of the sellers who have claimed there are copycat Skype users, never responded to my PMs, despite asking for users to contact them first via PM.

There is also a very simple reason why some sellers, and not necessarily those with BSTs, take people off site to Skype. Some individuals are previously banned members and they know that by posting certain information via PM, they can be traced back to their originally banned accounts.

EDIT: Oh hey 1500 messages what up.

Congrats on the big 1,500!

 

[mzonas]

My Skype is over 7 years old and there's no way I would change it. I have nearly 1K contacts that I built up over the past years and it would take me weeks to add them all back. Also, if my business partner suddenly changed Skype, it would raise red flag in my mind.

 

[Aprium]

Pulling people to offline messaging platforms for the purchase of sales discussions for products offered on BHW should, IMO, negate BHW being responsible for handling mediation. Being pulled to Skype when I want to purchase a service is typically my first exit point when inquiring about services here.

If you are unable to hold a professional conversation via PM, then there are other issues that need to be discussed. This is why I only use Skype when current clients specifically request it, and only for quick conversations.

It's a security measure for members, as all PM's can be looked over by administration without the worry of screenshot or text altering, or waiting days for someone to respond in a shitlist. It's also a way for shitlist-handling mods like @BassTrackerBoats, @jazzc, @Zwielicht, and formerly @OldSalt to not have to pore through dozens of repetitive Skype screenshots with chopped messages and dozens of "bro" and "sir" and "hello".

That's just me though. I like your link idea, @Sephrata. As @krishnaverma persistently says: "lets wait and see what mods have to say about the issue ."

EDIT: Oh hey 1500 messages what up.

Handling business through PMs makes sense if you are the only holder and user of that account. Things only get worst when you have a high-volume product that requires a full-time employee to handle the customer sales inquiries. At that point, you can't really share your own account. How would you handle that if you don't want business to go off the BHW's platform? You need to have some sort of organizational infrastructure where several employees can take care of the different functions of the business.


@Sherb not everyone that is selling services is talking directly to the clients. They could have an employee or two handling that interaction, and they could be working behind the scenes making sure all other aspects of the business are running smooth. Sure, if you are a high-end consultant offering your services to a handful of clients that want and need to speak directly to the guy/gal in charge of the business, your proposition seems straight forward.

 

[Sephrata]

My Skype is over 7 years old and there's no way I would change it. I have nearly 1K contacts that I built up over the past years and it would take me weeks to add them all back. Also, if my business partner suddenly changed Skype, it would raise red flag in my mind.

But I assume that you've not had someone copy your Skype and try to pass himself off as you to scam your customers?

The other thing is that I guess the services you provide are not really likely to attract a Skype scammer. From what I've seen, it's primarily the sale of accounts that is the main target.

Another other option would be to turn the Skype address in your profile as an actual opening link. This seems like it's straightforward - https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/office/dn745878

 

[TheAlmightyDada]

Handling business through PMs makes sense if you are the only holder and user of that account. Things only get worst when you have a high-volume product that requires a full-time employee to handle the customer sales inquiries. At that point, you can't really share your own account. How would you handle that if you don't want business to go off the BHW's platform? You need to have some sort of organizational infrastructure where several employees can take care of the different functions of the business.


@Sherb not everyone that is selling services is talking directly to the clients. They could have an employee or two handling that interaction, and they could be working behind the scenes making sure all other aspects of the business are running smooth. Sure, if you are a high-end consultant offering your services to a handful of clients that want and need to speak directly to the guy/gal in charge of the business, your proposition seems straight forward.

I'm pretty sure you cannot share accounts on BHW. In fact, although I can't find a specific rule - I'm almost certain, as to be able to sell, you need a Jr. VIP subscription - and you're not allowed to share those account details with non - Jr. VIP's.

 

[Aprium]

I'm pretty sure you cannot share accounts on BHW. In fact, although I can't find a specific rule - I'm almost certain, as to be able to sell, you need a Jr. VIP subscription - and you're not allowed to share those account details with non - Jr. VIP's.

Exactly my point! That's why some sellers send their buyers to a skype or a support ticket system, so another employee can take care of them. You can't share accounts on BHW with your employees or anyone else.

 

[nuf-ced]

To reiterate what @Sherb mentions above. As soon as the conversation goes off BHW. Any buyer / seller protection is removed we can only police what’s on our small piece of the Internet.

If you chose not to conduct your business on the BHW platform then the obvious solution of course is to make sure you get the Skype name right. It’s like making a call / pulling up a url. Get the digits wrong you’re going to connect to the wrong person.

 

[DrDuran]

Pulling people to offline messaging platforms for the purchase of sales discussions for products offered on BHW should, IMO, negate BHW being responsible for handling mediation. Being pulled to Skype when I want to purchase a service is typically my first exit point when inquiring about services here.

If you are unable to hold a professional conversation via PM, then there are other issues that need to be discussed. This is why I only use Skype when current clients specifically request it, and only for quick conversations.

It's a security measure for members, as all PM's can be looked over by administration without the worry of screenshot or text altering, or waiting days for someone to respond in a shitlist. It's also a way for shitlist-handling mods like @BassTrackerBoats, @jazzc, @Zwielicht, and formerly @OldSalt to not have to pore through dozens of repetitive Skype screenshots with chopped messages and dozens of "bro" and "sir" and "hello".

That's just me though. I like your link idea, @Sephrata. As @krishnaverma persistently says: "lets wait and see what mods have to say about the issue ."

EDIT: Oh hey 1500 messages what up.

thats not entirely fair how many of the marketeers have their own websites, email addresses etc, you can go through all the sellers on here and they all have their own port of contact.

if you are wanting to imposer those rules shouldnt you impose the rules in the marketplace first.

what i do think needs to happen is the whole overall state of the marketplace with a lot of sellers not keeping up to date on what they are selling and at what price. yuo see one price and look on website it is totally different, especially when they have massive banners displaying their goods and services and prices

 

[KHer0]

I believe contact me button is a brilliant solution and a must, it will eliminate 95% of scamming

As for moderation, I think its easy to create a better chat platform than pm's in BHW.. this would get best of the both world. Instant chatting and moderators monitoring

Don't know how hungry sources will this be though. i believe tens of thousands of messages are done daily in BHW

 

[amoon]

I have a very simple and I think, useful approach when it comes to Skype addresses.


1) All Skype addresses posted in the opening sales post should use the 'Contact Me' creation tool (https://www.skype.com/en/developer/create-contactme-buttons/). I believe this uses basic HTML and would be supported on the forum. I've tested this tool and as long as you put in the correct Skype address in the first place, it will mean a conversation only opens to that address.

this solution above sounds great, but not for long time...
an instant messaging in BHW will solve most of the problems...and if it is monitored by Mod...then it will be great...

 

[Sephrata]

an instant messaging in BHW will solve most of the problems...and if it is monitored by Mod...then it will be great...

I think an IM solution like this https://www.cometchat.com/xenforo-chat would work well on the forum.

Edit: Looking through the site above, I think this would be a good solution. It would save a lot of time dealing with all the Skype issues and I think it's more useful that PM-ing on a day-to-day basis in so many cases. BHW can also monetize the chats by using custom advertising - https://www.cometchat.com/features/monetize

 

[Lukmat]

Pulling people to offline messaging platforms for the purchase of sales discussions for products offered on BHW should, IMO, negate BHW being responsible for handling mediation. Being pulled to Skype when I want to purchase a service is typically my first exit point when inquiring about services here.

If you are unable to hold a professional conversation via PM, then there are other issues that need to be discussed. This is why I only use Skype when current clients specifically request it, and only for quick conversations.

It's a security measure for members, as all PM's can be looked over by administration without the worry of screenshot or text altering, or waiting days for someone to respond in a shitlist. It's also a way for shitlist-handling mods like @BassTrackerBoats, @jazzc, @Zwielicht, and formerly @OldSalt to not have to pore through dozens of repetitive Skype screenshots with chopped messages and dozens of "bro" and "sir" and "hello".

That's just me though. I like your link idea, @Sephrata. As @krishnaverma persistently says: "lets wait and see what mods have to say about the issue ."

EDIT: Oh hey 1500 messages what up.

When the sale was initiated via BHW, for example BST, it will be honored in The Shitlist.
I will never use Skype or Telegram for making transactions, because was hacked many times. Also Skype is time loosing machine, if I have product with $10-$20 price range, or even $100, It's wasting of time for skype chit-chat. Most of skype guys want to talk about bullshit.
However, it's good to use email contact method, especialy with custom, professional domain.
Unless buyer want to stick PM, I will always ask to go email.

Please note, that newbie users cannot send PMs, so seller is loosing tons of clients if he have only PM contact method.

 

[Deleted member 979859]

Very good idea.. https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/watch-out-scammers-on-skype.1025213/#post-10998254