Don't Bother

[DepOne]

I just received another message from the forum directing me to go to the truth finder site to find out all kinds of information about myself that is out there for all to see. This site is a disaster. Absolutely none of the information on me is even remotely correct. I also looked up a couple of friends and family members. Their information was just as convoluted. I tried to contact truth finders to correct my information and that was like pissing into the wind. Either they don't bother to reading corrections that are sent to them or they just don't care. Don't waste your time with these people. They are useless and possibly even dangerous due to their misinformation. I am really disappointed that the forum would recommend them for the few dollars they receive and at the expense of their members.

[Tom S.]

Let's get a few things out in the open here.

First off, the forum needs money to operate. People who don't contribute should be the only ones who see those advertisements. So in essence, that is the price you pay for not contributing.

Second, if you are seeing ads for ladies available in your area, used toilet plungers and yes, criminal background checks, it isn't the site's doing - it's your own. A large portion of these ads base their content off your browsing history (thank you Google - NOT!). Yes, there are rare instances where an advertisement is taking a shot in the dark, but if you start seeing ads like those above and have never gone to any sites like those - or searched with terms that could direct you to sites like those, then you need to check who's been using your computer because the majority of these ads are based upon your IP address's browsing history.

Third, none of the advertisers you see contribute a cent to the forum, nor do they have any involvement with the forum (or vice-versa). The ads are placed by a third party who pays the forum for ad space and they are responsible for the ad content. There are rules as to the ad content, which is why you shouldn't be seeing certain types of ads, but outside those, the third party is going to post ads it deems appropriate and frankly, pays the third party to do so.

Fourth, email messages are generated the same way. Once someone knows your browsing history and your email address, you are screwed. There are a very select few where an advertiser will create an identity on a forum for the express purpose of PM'ing and emailing it's members. In this case, we ask you tell us immediately so we can ban the offender.

So no, this forum does not support those sites, nor do those sites contribute to the forum. To avoid having the forum use ads for revenue, members would ALL have to contribute. Note the word "all" in that sentence. Since everyone doesn't wish to contribute, we are stuck with the ads. Nor can we avoid unscrupulous people from signing up and trying to scam people - but we can sure ban them when we find them.