Forum Policy Change Regarding Private Messages

[Suebee]

Due to a recent surge in people spamming MANY (not just ours) different forums with porn through the private message system, we have made a change effective immediately. From now on new members on the forum will not have the ability to send private messages, or view the sites member list, until they reach an undisclosed number of posts. This will hopefully take care of any problems. We are a PG forum and have to think about protecting our younger members. Sorry for any inconveniences this may cause.

[Terra_s Mom]

That would explain it.  I thought someone forgot to give me the 'secret handshake'!

[taku]

  There are companies and individuals that pay people (work at home/freelancing) to register at forums/chat rooms/dating services/etc  simply to spam private messages as well as the message boards with their propaganda. Some are legitimate (meaning not pornography, but not welcome), but annoying, much is geared to whichever subject matter they believe the forum population would be interested.
   We've had this policy at a forum I mod, and a few I visit frequently (with much more stringent rules due to the heady subjects discussed) for a couple or so years now.
   

[Suebee]

I *wish* our "incident" had been just advertising... 

[taku]

I *wish* our "incident" had been just advertising... 

 I'm glad I was left out of the mass spam!

[Marybelle]

Yes.  Yes you are...

Things that are seen cannot be unseen...  *shudder*

[Dela]

Not sure if this is right place to post this or not.. but what about replying to a PM? I rec'd a PM about a possible adoption, and am unable to even reply.

[Marybelle]

Yup, replying is the same.  Once you've reached the threshold, you can then send and reply to PM's.

[RachelnJoe]

Oh, haha, I thought I was crazy. I couldn't view anyone's profile. Well, better get posting!

[Shadowboxer]

Have you thought about just leaving moderators pm's available? I'm new here and I am having the hardest time getting help. I don't want to clutter up the forums with my questions that aren't exactly related to the subject areas that are already up, but I can't pm anyone either so I have to say I'm a bit frustrated. I understand the reasoning behind your decision, I'm just frustrated, pure and simple.

[Suebee]

We'll need to see if the forum technology makes that possible. I like the idea!

[Chaosbadgerling]

Its a great idea  

I didn't get spammed here however I have had it happen at other sites.  *is kinda glad that she has oodles of posts*