PLEASE BE AWARE OF FAKE PROFILES ON SOCIAL NETWORKS

NAME AND SHAME

FAKE PROFILES

Please be aware to fake profiles on the internet. Often the quality of their photos are very poor and they are extremely small and common sometimes the photo format is one not often or rarely used for uploading photos, this is because they have been copied and pasted from elsewhere on the net. I had the fortune lol if you could call it that LOL! to meet someone who uses the name Samuel but if you ask him to prove it is him and he wont be able to. He will always have some excuse, his cam is broken, his computer needs repairing, he cant plug his camera into his computer as the lead is broken or lol his CPU needs repairing or he needs help from the Tech guy at work. Based in Bahrain lol! need I say more of his origins. I have spoke to him on the phone and his accent does not ring true, nor does his vocabuary it certainly does not fit with his nationality and where he has lived. As a Medium I saw right through him. I have and many others out there have come into contact with this character. If someone is genuine, there will be no hesitation to show their face on cam or send you a photo with a newspaper showing a current headline and today's date failing that holding a card with their name and date. One last thing be very wary of someone who asks you for naughty photos of yourself or asks you for cyber sex, the genuine friend wont ask you such requests. I wasn't fooled by Sam here but many have before and others will in the future, so listen to your intuition.

Like the cartoon above of the dog on the internet, you cannot be sure to whom you are chatting to. If you start to develop a deeper relationship with anyone on the net always ask for proof.

- See more at: http://www.astridestella.org/2009_08_01_archive.html#sthash.MI0BcdVF.dpuf

NAME AND SHAME

FAKE PROFILES

Please be aware to fake profiles on the internet. Often the quality of their photos are very poor and they are extremely small and common sometimes the photo format is one not often or rarely used for uploading photos, this is because they have been copied and pasted from elsewhere on the net. I had the fortune lol if you could call it that LOL! to meet someone who uses the name Samuel but if you ask him to prove it is him and he wont be able to. He will always have some excuse, his cam is broken, his computer needs repairing, he cant plug his camera into his computer as the lead is broken or lol his CPU needs repairing or he needs help from the Tech guy at work. Based in Bahrain lol! need I say more of his origins. I have spoke to him on the phone and his accent does not ring true, nor does his vocabuary it certainly does not fit with his nationality and where he has lived. As a Medium I saw right through him. I have and many others out there have come into contact with this character. If someone is genuine, there will be no hesitation to show their face on cam or send you a photo with a newspaper showing a current headline and today's date failing that holding a card with their name and date. One last thing be very wary of someone who asks you for naughty photos of yourself or asks you for cyber sex, the genuine friend wont ask you such requests. I wasn't fooled by Sam here but many have before and others will in the future, so listen to your intuition.

Like the cartoon above of the dog on the internet, you cannot be sure to whom you are chatting to. If you start to develop a deeper relationship with anyone on the net always ask for proof.

- See more at: http://www.astridestella.org/2009_08_01_archive.html#sthash.MI0BcdVF.dpuf

FAKE PROFILES

Please be aware of fake profiles on the Internet often the quality of their photos are very poor and they are extremely small and common sometimes the photo format is one not often or rarely used for uploading photos, this is because they have been copied and pasted from elsewhere on the net. I've come across many of those fakes over time and like all fakes if you ask him/her to prove it is him/her and he/she wont be able to. He/she will always have some excuse, his/her cam is broken, his/her computer needs repairing, he/she cant plug his/her camera into his'her computer as the lead is broken or lol his/her CPU needs repairing or he/she needs help from the Tech guy at work. Often they are based in the middle east or Africa (West Africa is a common origin of these fake profiles).  Even  speaking to such profiles on the phone often the accent does not ring true, nor does the vocabulary and often does not fit with his/her nationality and where he/she is suppose to live. As a Medium I see right through these fakes. If someone is genuine, there will be no hesitation to show their face on cam or send you a photo with a newspaper showing a current headline and today's date failing that holding a card with their name and date. One last thing be very wary of someone who asks you for naughty photos of yourself or asks you for cyber sex, the genuine friend wont ask you such requests. I'm not fooled by these fakes but many have before and others will in the future, so listen to your intuition.

Like the cartoon above of the dog on the Internet, you cannot be sure to whom you are chatting to. If you start to develop a deeper relationship with anyone on the net always ask for proof.

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ON THE INTERNET NOBODY KNOWS YOU'RE A DOG

I had the misfortune recently to be deceived by someone online who assured me  they were genuine. Being a medium I was alerted by my intuition, I tried to give this person the benefit of doubt, however in the course of time their true colours were revealed. So this article is a warning to be careful communicating online.

A cartoon about a dog on the Internet goes to show you never know who is on the other end of the line. There are many good people in cyber world, but there are also a lot of so-called "dogs," too. They will manipulate you and tell you anything. Because they are behind a monitor and not face to face with you, they say what they like. They can insult, criticise, hurt, and stalk.

These people have this warped idea that because it’s on “the ‘net” it is not "real life," and its ok to verbally harass. I agree that many of these social websites are not real life, but I do not agree its okay to insult, stalk, and harass others just because you are not face-to-face.

I have been a member of quite a few social websites over the years and I have seen how situations can quickly escalate and often out of nothing. One cause, which is apt to happen on instant messaging and comments, is the lack of vocal tone and expression in the written word. Sometimes, something you say — often an innocent remark — whilst laughing and joking, can look quite harsh and even insulting when in type.

Another cause I have found is the relationship between nationalities. We do not all have the same sense of humour. Us Brits, well we often insult one another; we say it in jest. Try saying the same thing to an American and believe me it can be easily taken the wrong way. One only has to view British comedy shows on Youtube to understand what I mean here. Likewise, something innocently said by an American to a Brit can sound quite blunt when viewed in type. Before you know it, what started out innocently grows arms and legs with bells on. Other people’s online buddies join in, and an all out war of insults and harassing ensues.

What can we do about this? Don’t assume everyone you meet has the same sense of humour. If there is any doubt, please stress you are saying something in jest, often you can just add an “LOL” (laugh out loud) at the end of your phrase, but use this wisely because some will assume you are laughing at them. Think carefully as you leave a comment and type an instant message so that it cannot be misconstrued. Instant messaging and comments on these sites are designed to be fun, and not insulting or designed to create drama.

You will still find there are some “dogs” in cyber world who seem to get a high from insulting and creating drama for others. By and large they are few are far between. You meet these in real life just as much as cyber life. Sadly, these people fail to realise that insulting, harassing, and stalking others on the net is just as evil as in real life. The thoughts are there and these negative thoughts can harm others just the same. One day they will realise this, for there is no escape from Karma. It is also a sign that denotes insecurity, jealousy, and immaturity.

One other thing I would say trust your intuition, it's there as a mechanism of protection, if you feel the person you are chatting to is not genuine, do not give out your phone number or address. If they are as genuine as they claim to be, they will understand and will be quite happy to get to know you on your terms. If they start using emotional blackmail, by insulting you, calling you uptight etc warning bells should be ringing.

You know you should always treat others how you yourself would wish to be treated. If we all did, this world — be it cyber or in real life — would be so much happier, don’t you think?

Maggie Brown (Author)

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