Gang, please read this "question" for safety sake here at YA!?

Trolls know that they are anonymous, the report abuse system is automated and that the appeals board isn't actually an appeals board(no one ever wins an appeal) Here is how it works:

1. A user answers a question absolutely correctly by YA TOS.

2. Troll decides to have a little fun and report answer as abuse.

3. User receives an automated violation report from YA.

4. User replies with supplied link on violation report asking why.

5. YA sends ANOTHER absolutely useless automated response a few days later

6. User, now irritated at time wasted, posts on violation forum and asks for details WHY?

7. A few days later, Fred at YA, refusing to DO HIS JOB, sends what almost can be considered another automated response, denies appeal.

8. The User (now pissed) asks again for specifics.

9. Fred either totally ignores the post or deletes it because it makes him look bad.

10. User (now livid seeing how outrageously stupid the system is) turns into a troll created by Fred’s carelessness.

11. Nice job Fred, you made another Troll. Job security.

There are ways that trolls know to get around things like banning users so they are useless also.

A great bit of advice--a week or so ago there was a real butt head here, I blocked and turned him in and found him in 2 other sites, did the same, he would change his ID and answer his own questions with more horrid junk--it worked and fast but then the next day he was back with a new name. I did the block and drop again and have not seen him again. I get blocked a bunch and the abuse reports filed were once when I said here are some comfort food recipes that do not have a bunch of exotic ingredients--I attacted her intelligence?? Another abuse I got was a lady that said her 5 year old child had dumped a cat box in the kitchen sink--not possible, too heavy and too high for a 5 year old---she said I was trying to tell her how to raise her children. I have been blocked from questions on the senior site twice--it's OK with me I have always had broad shoulders and alas a bunch of common sense and insight.

Wow, goldwing, you are absolutely right. That is a terrible thing for someone to do. I agree that the whole site is automated. I will take your message to heart, until now, if the were rude and exposed their privates, I would just report them. I don't really like to "squeal" on anyone, but some of these post are outlandish. I agree, we should block them. But, then they set up a new account. Does the blocking stop them from still seeking you out from a new account? In other words, does it block them from their actual e-mail name? Do you understand what I just asked you? From you email address?

Goldwing, Thanks for posting this info. I knew something strange had been going on by the amount of regulars missing.If I see a q that seems racial or in anyway suspicious I scroll on past.

Have to agree that when I've appealed against v mails, which were for perfectly innocent postings, I've never had a response so it does feel like you aren't being listened to.

What is the answer to it? I don't know, but please don't disappear cos you really do make some very good points in your postings.

Don't get too downhearted. x

Goldwing....Thank you so much for the heads up on the trolls. It's a shame that this is what's happening here. Some people just don't have anything better to do with their time. Your advice has been duly noted.

P.S. How dare someone steal your picture?

Thanks all for the advice.

I have made my Q&A private and unchecked the Fan

Box.

I noticed when I started doing answers I found myself being baited into some outrageous racial, religious and politically charged discussions; however, It didn’t take long to see the real nature of it. They rely on the shock factor and usually start out with an outrageous accusation that has little or no resemblance to any real facts.

I occasionally chime in on a serious political question but mostly I stick to the questions where a beneficial or fun answer can be appreciated.

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I have been trying my best in the past couple of days to tell everyone to uncheck the box that restricts fans. If you make your profile information private it only gives you one level of protection. All a troll has to do is request to be your fan under another identity, and they can slip by all those other blocks as if they didn't exist.

The ONLY way to get the full protection that yahoo allows you is to uncheck the box that allows people to become your fans. You will still keep those people as contacts that you have chosen for yourself.

I noticed that you dissallowed profile email. I was sad to see it because it was the final indicator to me that you had been attacked as well.

Take care of yourself, Goldwing. Hopefully we will be able to survive this attack on our oldest and best contributors.

I have been reporting them for a long time and then when they added the block feature it helped A-LOT, but when I do report them I go to the community guidelines and copy the rule that they violated and put the in the reason section of the report abuse and let the people that are supposed to be monitoring it know to begin with.

Totally agree with you Goldwing. I had to block a user myself and then went on and removed all my contacts except for two I trusted. Actually, there are some on here I am a little suspicious of myself.

Thanks for the good advice I have done what you suggested and believe it 100%.

Yes, sad to say, but I have to agree. I've been attacked and so have many of my contacts. This was an entertaining and informative place once upon a time... now it's a mine field. Thank you, gw, for the posting. And I'm glad I get the chance to say hello.