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On-line security of personal details....
Recently I've had a few people/posters contact me via an application to private message them. I wasn't sure what to do because when I looked into their 'name' there was no profile information at all....
I began to think they could be scams but it did worry me that maybe they were readers of this site but hadn't posted and were really anxious about something....
As I post fairly frequently about non BC issues which affect some of us with BC, I thought maybe they were too shy to post on the main forum and wanted to speak privately....so I did succumb to sending a short message if I could help in any way......
Some didn't answer at all! Who knows what they were up to????
Others replied with cures for BC! Felt shocked that I'd fallen into that sort of trap. Consequently I did block any further messages!!!
Am concerned that anyone can read our private chats about a whole array of personal issues and we have no way of knowing whether these posters are legitimate or not?????
This is only a suggestion but it would be good to check out names beforehand and read some notification of their BC journey. In a shorthand way it would clarify whether people are in fact BC patients or not as the terminology is so unique.....
So many people have empty profiles, I'm surprised!
But I'm also thinking of reducing my profile so it isn't as explicit???? It's such a shame I feel more guarded than I did because this BCC forum has become a lifeline for me in so many ways over the past two years.
Has anyone else experienced this sort of invasion?
Read something like this before on here. Bumping it so administrators see it for you.
M x
Hello Welsh Girl,
Sadly there are people who register with this site who either do not have bc at all or who want to use the site to further business interests. I have once or twice forwarded a message that I thought was spam to the mods and they've taken action to get the techy guys to remove the 'user' concerned.
These concerns do pop up from time to time and we need to be alert. Also to keep in mind that all posts can be googled (it says this clearly in the T&C info) so to think what we disclose on the forum itself. Profile info can only be seen if someone signs in, but there's no way of stopping fakes from signing up or from posting credible messages... even if their profile seems filled/public and plausible (alas I have the burned fingers to prove it).
Thanks for reminding us all to be e-alert and hope you are otherwise OK
Hi Welsh girl
Unfortunately I think there are some very unscrupulous people out there who do target the vulnerable. I had a PM last year begging for money! The moderators can't see PM's so this makes it even worse. I forwarded it to them and quite a few ladies had also had received it. I'd say just be careful about how much private info you give out knowing, as Revcat says, that we can be googled. The discussion has come up many times over the 4 years I've been a forum member about locking down the site but it then becomes inaccessible to people genuinely looking for info and support.
Nicky x
Hopefully these problems are being addressed by the BCC web team and there should be a deletion of non-genuine profiles and their users when the new Forum appears....
... WHEN the new Forum appears...
... ... ... anyone listening, BCC webfolks?
I have had one experience of this particular problem; it is certainly tiresome - but no more than that.
I would like to take up Welsh Girl's other point which is that the vast majority of people do not include any details about themselves and their BC journey on their profile.
I realise that this must be optional but surely it is this sharing of experiences & offering support which is the main point of the Forums? if people felt able to share a little more info on their profiles I'm sure this would be helpful to others- not principally personal details re family etc - just more about their age, health probs, diagnosis and BC journey etc
Perhaps people have views on this and reasons why they don't want to include any information about themselves?
I originally wrote more about myself on MY profile but have now reduced it as it seemed so few other people said anything at all!
Hi all,
Thanks for highlighting this problem again. I will ensure that this is passed to the relevant people. If you have any concerns about scam messages the best way to let us know is by email to:
<script type="text/javascript">eval(unescape('%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%6d%6f%64%65%72%61%74%6f%72%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%22%3e%6d%6f%64%65%72%61%74%6f%72%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b'))</script>Thanks again.
Jo, Facilitator
I had a lot of detail on my profile and received quite a number of "marketing" pm's. Decided to remove the details from my profile & not received spam since. I think one has to assume there are a number of "fake" members signed up on the boards unfortunately.
What new forum was that, Mrs Blue?
:) 
Thank GOD that i never receive such kind of PM . i am not comfortable in receiving such messages and then answering them back.
If you go into your profile then 'edit details' you can choose who sees the info you have put there to either 'private', 'contacts only' or 'public' for each section of your profile.
I understand the difference between public and contacts only, not sure what private does unless it means you are the only person who can read it. Perhaps mods can comment if that is not correct?
I think privacy is always a problem on bcc because anyone can register not just those with breast cancer and anyone can read without registering. Now that is quite important if the site is to be quickly available to those in need of support/info.
On bcpals we only let women with breast cancer (and the genetic mutation) join, and to read the site they would have to send in info about their breast cancer details so it is as private as we can make it. But that isn't always helpful when someone is desperate for help and doesn't want to go through the process of registering with a site before looking at it. It's a case of horses for courses.
I think we do have to be aware all the time of who is reading what we type without becoming paranoid LOL. Remember if we put up our photo as an avatar then we are easily identifiable to anyone who knows us. (Can't you tell it doesn't bother me).
Dawn
xx
Thanks Jo@BCC.
Please could we have an update as to when the new BCC forum will go live...? or if it has been decided to stay with this one, please could these issues be addressed ASAP.
Hi MrsBlue
I will pass this on to the technical team and find out this information for you.
Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator
Sam -for the 2nd time in recent months my post (on another topic) has been moderated this evening
Why is this done?
I have posted for over 3 years and never had any problems with my posts or been involved in anything controversial.
Do BCC do this routinely to all the people who post - and if so- why?
Please can you help me on this?
Topsymo
Hi Topsymo
Your last post was in a moderated forum , 'Standards in care and diagnosis' where all posts are checked prior to being set live so please don't be concerned as all users would be moderated here
Best wishes
Lucy