Everyone please read, as we are having a problem with spammers

General
1

All moderators and founders of Ben's Friends work very hard to keep spammers off the site, however their methods of applying for membership get more sophisticated each day. Just on this site, we must decline 25-50, maybe more, a day. There are individual spammers and something we refer to as a 'spambot', some kind of computer devised to mass solicit.

They will do their best to convince you to buy a so called 'miracle cure', and will want your phone number, your credit card number, or your bank account number, maybe even try to get your social security number.

They may try to sell you sex, or conversations about sex. They may have a hard luck story asking for money. Who can know, and they will contact as may people as they can in rapid fire fashion, knowing we are on the look-out for them at all times.

Should you EVER encounter them, NEVER CLICK ON THEIR LINK, as it may be the way they can access your private information, or plant a virus, or back door Trojan on to your computer. Just notify a moderator as soon as you get it, if you do not see one on the board, compose a message and send it to all of us, our names and photos are at the top of the 'member' page.

Thank you all for helping to keep our members safe, and our group a haven.

Wishing you all well,

Your living with fibro moderators,

SK, RENIE, RACHEL, PETUNIA GIRL, DEE, SANDI, SCRIBELLE.

2

very well said SK. We do everything possible to keep the site safe, but a few creeps still manage to sneak through.

3

Sure

4

Thanks to you all who oversee this Site.

Jan

5

Thank you for informing us!! There are ‘parasites’ trying to FEED off of our misfortune… We ALL have to be careful!!

6

Thanks for the heads-up and I'll tell you something peculiar that has just started to happen on my facebook page. There are suddenly all kinds of ads for 'relief of fibro pains'. How that happened I don't know but another fibro friend told me she clicked on one of the links and 'it' wanted her to 'join for free' for new meds. Obviously she got out of the site quickly...but we are still wondering how it got posted in the first place.

Spammers & Scammers everywhere.

Like Scott says...few creeps~~~~

Geranium

7

Thank you, god there are some sad people in the world, I would not fall for it anyway ( but some would ). Its a nice group and I do not want it spoilt it has helped me so much.

8

Thanks so much for your advice. In the past few months I have had numerous offers of instant cures for practically everything

from cancer to ingrown toenails. Well meaning friends keep telling me can't understand why I don't at least try some of these.

One especially kind soul even told my husband and I that it was as if I was determined to stay sick and that if she were in my place she would be wiling to try anything. She went on to say that I seemed to be just sitting back and enjoying having an excuse not to do anything. I replied that I was very glad that she wasn't in my place as I wouldn't wish fibro on anyone. I also wish that curing myself was as easy as she thinks it is. But I know that if such a cure did suddenly surface my friends here would be the first to spread good the news. In the meantime I intend to celebrate my daily triumphs no matter how trivial they may seem to others. One of my biggest blessings is contact with this board. I am kept up to date with the latest developments and more importantly, I know that I am not alone while we wait for our personal miracle.

9

THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION ILL CONTACT YOU IF THAT HAPPENS THANK YOU MODERATORS FOR MONITORING THIS SITE SO WE CAN HAVE A SAFE PLACE THEYRE PEOPLE WANTING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OTHERS PEOPLES MISFORTUNE ITS NICE TO HAVE A GROUP THAT UNDRRSTANDS THE SITUATION YOURE GKING THROUGH WE CAN BE OURSELVES THANKS AGAIN HAVE A GOOD DAY AND WEEKEND EVERYONE

10

Thank you for the FYI..........

11

Hi. Just wanted to let you know that I get the same thing on Facebook, as well as other websites where there are ads. I was a Clinical Social Worker in my "former" life, and I get ads re: Social Work as well. I'm thought they must be getting the info. from Facebook. However, I get the fibro. ads and I don't mention that on Facebook. I don't know what the technical term is for these people, but I do want to add another "scam". About 6-8 months ago I was having problems with my computer. I send in the error reports that pop up when something goes wrong. Usually it's due to a "hungapp". I received a phone call from a man with a foreign accent, implying that he was with Microsoft and noticed I had been sending in many error reports. I thought that must be true because I had been sending in a a lot more than usual. He said if I purchased their services, they would keep my computer at peak performance for $169.00 for 2 years. I've had 2 "companies call me with the same offer. One was iyogi and the other was White Lion Technologies. iyogi was the company who implied they were associated with Microsoft. I'm usually very careful about these things, but I was scammed. I asked many questions to help ensure I wasn't being taken and it all seemed on the up & up. Whenever I try to call White Lion Tech., I get one of those odd sounding busy signals. I hope this will help someone else avoid the mistake I made. Lynn

12

SK,

Thank you for the info. I also get ads for Fibro fixes on my Facebook page. I will watch more closely from now on. My policy is to not open any mail unless I know the person.

Thanks again,

Jackie

13

What a pitiful thing. Preying on the sick.

Thank you for the warning.

14

I was having the same problem Geranium. I talked to a computer savy friend. After her advice I googled "ad blocker" and downloaded the program. It's free. No more weird ads on facebook or anywhere.

LKitty

15

I hate spam. It is the most frustrating thing ever.

16

Thanks will keep my eyes peeled!!

17

Thank you SK I will keep on the look out...I never click on links people post especially those who try to sell stuff off a forum, I am very aware of the risk I take, but how ever I do appreciate that you made all of us aware. These spammers/trolls/spambots are ridiculous its sad to see them want to invade our privacy as well as our pockets. Thanks again for the info.

Great Big Gentle Hugs

18

Thanks for the information, I will be on the lookout. Sue

19

Thanks for the heads up and will do!
Leanne

20

Jackie - Please be careful with opening anything even from someone you know. I got severe viruses that way which crashed my laptop and it took 3wks to have it fixed. Facebook posts by your friends (who may not have posted it) can be spams.