Has anyone else had this PM?

[David Lamb]

Today I got a PM with the title, "Come join us on NEW forum". It was from someone with the name "Harmony". The message consisted of a url: http://www.swordforums.net/ The PM gives the poster's join date at Feb 2008, and tells me that he or she has made 0 posts to the BB. I looked at the members list, and that told me that there is no Harmony on the BB. Whoops! I'd better rephrase that! ...told me that there is no one calling themselves Harmony .... :laugh:

This seems rather strange, to say the least, and I am just wondering if someone has joined the BB with the intent of PM-ing the members one by one to get them to join Sword Forums. If so, then there are probably others who have received the same PM. (I am not making any judgment about Sword Forums - it might be excellent for all I know).

 

[pinoybaptist]

I haven't received any, brother.
And I don't know if the BB has rules about pm-ing other members to join their site.
Even if it doesn't, personally I think it's not very professional and ethical to do that.
I don't know if BB started that way.
You know, joined another forum, then pm'd members there to join BB.
That's proselytizing.
But then BB being BB, there may be opposing opinions.
now, let me check it out......

 

[Allan]

Today I got a PM with the title, "Come join us on NEW forum". It was from someone with the name "Harmony". The message consisted of a url: http://www.swordforums.net/ The PM gives the poster's join date at Feb 2008, and tells me that he or she has made 0 posts to the BB. I looked at the members list, and that told me that there is no Harmony on the BB. Whoops! I'd better rephrase that! ...told me that there is no one calling themselves Harmony .... :laugh:

This seems rather strange, to say the least, and I am just wondering if someone has joined the BB with the intent of PM-ing the members one by one to get them to join Sword Forums. If so, then there are probably others who have received the same PM. (I am not making any judgment about Sword Forums - it might be excellent for all I know).

I recieved two of them and kept one in my inbox for future reference like this. (validation)

 

[LadyEagle]

Okay, I am reporting this thread so moderators/administrators can look into the matter. Thanks for bringing it to our attention! :thumbs:

LE

 

[EdSutton]

To David Lamb, Allan, and any others who may have received such PMs:

Possibly I Am Blessed 18 or Squire Robertsson might be able to help you, here, as I suggest this was probably some "spammer". Granted, this is just my opinion.

The above two that, to my knowledge, are the ones who daily "police" the BB for spammers, according to private 'conversations' I have had in the past with them. I have quit even sending them notifications, as they are on the job, and do it well, IMO.

I would guess that one of these "spam engineers" just happened to catch you folks "on-line" at the time, when, after finally "setting up their wares", sent this to you folks who have received such like.

Again, this is just my, granted uninformed, opinion.

Ed

 

[Joe]

Got an invite to this message board- It's likely owned by one of the BB members here.

http://www.baptistzone.com/forums/

 

[pinoybaptist]

checked it out, and saw some pretty familiar names, not necessarily from BB, but some may be.

 

[David Lamb]

Thanks for the replies. I would just like to emphasise that I was not suggesting that the PM itself broke any BB rules, rather that it seemed very unusual (to me) for someone to join the BB, make no posts at all, and then PM members of the BB inviting them to join something else. Thanks again.

 

[tinytim]

It would be different if one of the established members of BB were to ask you to join with them...

But for someone with no posts, that is suspicious.

BTW, why don't people's names show up in the member's list... Members that I know exist are not showing up.
Some from my church.

Do you have to post to show up?

 

[pinoybaptist]

Thanks for the replies. I would just like to emphasise that I was not suggesting that the PM itself broke any BB rules, rather that it seemed very unusual (to me) for someone to join the BB, make no posts at all, and then PM members of the BB inviting them to join something else. Thanks again.

cutting costs, you know.
much easier and less expensive than paying for front page google or any of those search engines.
it's rather unethical, but if the one pm'd should join, nothing wrong with that, I think.

 

[Salty]

I recieved that PM myself, it did seem suspicious.

I do agree with Tiny Tim
"It would be different if one of the established members of BB were to ask you to join with them... "

Right Tim!raying:

I am glad someone reported it, I didnt have time, when I first read it.

Salty

PS please join my new form wwwwwwww.fallforit.whatever :laugh:

 

[Brother Bob]

I received it but did not give me reason to be concerned. People will leave if they want anyway.

BBob,

 

[EdSutton]

It would be different if one of the established members of BB were to ask you to join with them...

But for someone with no posts, that is suspicious.

BTW, why don't people's names show up in the member's list... Members that I know exist are not showing up.
Some from my church.

Do you have to post to show up?

I believe, if memory serves from something I read before, that you have to reach a certain number of posts to be considered an "active member", and have your name appear on the members list. Prior to that you are considered a 'junior member', by the BB brass, and the name does not appear in the list. About three to six mos. ago, I 'saw' a member on-line, who had been a member for about four years, according to the profile I clicked on, who had made no posts, at least up until that time.

My own best friend is a member, who made a total of five posts on the BB, but has also been a member for about two years. Frankly, he is a "one-issue" person, and when he did not get any response that he really wanted, just sort of dropped out, although if one gets a good thread going in his preferred area, I have little doubt that he will be found posting within 24-72 hours.

Ed

 

[EdSutton]

checked it out, and saw some pretty familiar names, not necessarily from BB, but some may be.

I saw several from the BB.

Ed

 

[I Am Blessed 24]

Harmony has been found and banned. We don't allow someone to join just to advertise their board.

Can you say "troll"?

Thanks for the heads up, Brother David!