User blog:Sagelily/Fighting the scammers

Even if no one is gonna read this i still want to write it...

So, I generally waste my time on AJ going around trying to catch scammers...because why not :,)

And i get extremely frustrated with the amount of people that try these methods and the poor saps that fall for it

So I'll just put together a helpful guide for all methods of scamming I've seen in my many years of playing AJ
 * TRUST: ACCEPT AND DECLINE
 * Ok, this is the most common type of scam you will encounter. These are also the most obvious. Anyone doing a genuine giveaway (which is still a real thing that happens) will not decide the winner on who has the best items. These scammers will often say "It's trust and you can decline.. but accepting is worth more!". DO NOT ACCEPT!!! EVER!!!! What will happen is players with better items with trade but decline their good items, and the desperate players will accept in order to have a shot at winning.
 * tl;dr If they say trust of any form, it's 100% a scam :(((
 * PAY TO ENTER/GET A HIGHER CHANCE ON WHEEL
 * This one is a little tricky. It may not seem like a scam at first, but trust me, it is. These people will tell you that you need to trade your good items for their bad in order to get more spots on the wheel spin. It may seem trustworthy, because you dont have to trade, right? Many desperate players, however, will end up trading a ton of items. I've seen it before, a member and nm fell for it. The scammer will end up locking everyone out before they even do the wheel. Or they'll have a parter-in-crime/backup and give it to them, and never give the items back. Be careful, this type is the hardest to realize!
 * tl;dr Don't ever give items to someone doing a giveaway, because the items are suppose to be going to you, not them :(((
 * DOUBLING
 * These scammers are not as common, as it is very hard to prove you can double items. However, these scammers may have a partner-in-crime​​​/backup that will make them seem genuine. Just never give your items to someone claiming they can double, it's not worth it :)
 * tl;dr it won't work
 * Begging
 * Ok, so techinicaly not scamming, but it can be pretty annoying if it's a fake. Most people begging are backup accounts. And if they say they got scammed, they may not be lying, but it's not worth the risk. If you're just a generally nice person and like to giveaway things, then feel free to do so. This one isn't really dangerous...
 * tl;dr idk it's not that dangerous, so ur choice
 * Borrowing
 * If someone asks to just borrow ur item so they can try it on, LEAVE IMMEDIATLY. Unless it's worthless like a store bought item, it's a scam! These scammers could even be your closest buddies! Just be wary, and never accept undertraders (unless it's intentional, like you're giving away items or something similar)
 * tl;dr They're never gonna give it back :(
 * Lying about worth
 * A ton of people will say their items is "one of a kind" or "glitched". Although there actually are items like these, be very careful, since they usually look really similar to their worthless version! Remeber to always check the item! This site is very helpful, don't worry about taking a while to search things up!
 * tl;dr Search it up!
 * Gift for gift back!
 * ​​​​​​​eh, ima be real, i'm a nm so idk much about gifting and scamming using gifting. I've seen people say things like "gift for a gift back". I assume some of them are scam-like, but just be careful in general.

Well this post is getting long, but I also wanna tell you '''how to save others from scamming. '''​​​​​​​If you're a member, you can jag others and tell them, but try not to alert the scammer. Scammers using trust always want to wait until they get the best item before they lock everyone out. If you see someone trading a super good item, don't scream "SCAM!!!" This will either get you, or everyone locked out, and then the scammed player have no chance of being saved. Instead, trick the scammer ;) Tell them "omg! I can do way better! Just lemme trade!". Wait for the scammer to trade the items back to the other players, then just go "aw, never i don't have the items anymore" or "JK". This way, you can make sure everyone gets their items back. Or even find other ways to do it! Idk, now that this is out, it's not really secret anymore but oh well xd

Another tip, beware of backups! Always ask the host and the suspect to move and talk at same time! But don't go randomly reporting. This can hurt innocent people.

'''And if you wanna know what a real giveaway looks like? '''Real giveaway's have many different methods. They can accept any trade, host a game (like find the plushie, guessing game, or copy emote game), or just give things to you randomly. These poeple are very nice and will usually use their main to give things away, because they, being non scammers, have nothing to fear :)

I hope you found something useful in the super long message. Remember to always check the worth of your items and the items people are trading you! This website is really helpful and it's free to use, so just do it! '''Play Safe!!! :)'''

'''Feel free to ask questions if you have any! I will also update this blog if I encounter anything new!'''

P.S. ​​​​​​​I wasn't sure if I am allowed to list users of scammers i meet? Does anyone know if this is against the rules? The purpose is not to harrass them, but for players to be on the lookout and avoid getting scammed by these people...



