Internet Predators
 

This is something I really didn't wanna talk about but, after what happened around the end of September, I decided I should.
This is the best site I've ever joined. I never have to worry about being harassed or threatened here and I've made a lot of really great friends. But it doesn't always seem to be that way at other places on the internet.
Sometime around the end of September, I met a guy in a chat thing (not this site) who seemed to be real friendly at first. We were talking about plants and he wanted to meet me. I told him I didn't even know him and couldn't give him my address or phone number. He got real nasty after that and I stopped the chat. I won't repeat some of the things he said but they Definitely didn't have to do with plants, for sure!
It makes me really happy to be at this site cause I know my friends, here, would never give anyone my personal info. Dad says he might use other tricks to try and find out where I live but I'm not scared. Even if he does find out, he'd still have to deal with dad, me, and the police! That guy may be mean, but dad can be even meaner!
I'm glad things like that never happen here :) ! But I was wondering if anyone else has ever had this problem & how they dealt with it.
Thanx for taking the time to listen :).

Re: Internet Predators
 

I pray there is a special place in hell for people that prey on the young, weak, and helpless! That being said....

I monitor my kids activities on the internet as much as possible and educated them on what they do not do on the internet. There are some really messed up people out there and me being an over protective father(so I have been called) I worry about these things. Originally I banned the use of myspace and facebook but then my ex wife that lives in North Carolina let the kids have those accounts when they were up there using her e-mail address and tried to hide it from me... but of course I found out. My kids haven't had any problems but my sons friend that lives next to us did. He had some buy trying to get him to meet up with him as well.

Sorry to hear you had to deal with one of the uglies of the internet. Always be careful about what you put up on the internet!

Re: Internet Predators
 

I totally agree! People here at Bananas.org are so friendly, it just shocked me to meet somebody that vicious. Even when he was acting friendly, he sounded kind of hostile. Couldn't even sleep the first night after it happened.
My parents are "overly protective" too. Now I'm kind of glad they are. Think I'm just gonna stay at the plant sites and only chat with people I know and already trust. Also, makes me real happy knowing that there's nobody here like that :) ! I'd know if there was cause they'd talk like that guy. He Sure doesn't seem to like kids much, the way he was talking.
Btw, Thanx for answering my post :) ! I was feeling kind of down but it sure cheers me up just to remember there's good people like you around!
Fortunately, I've never publicly posted my address or phone number. I only give that to people I really, really trust (so far, only to a few people here at Bananas.org).
Don't know what's up with the Facebook or Myspace thing. But my parents don't want me to join either one, so I haven't. Heard they had that in some of the schools but, since I'm home-schooled, I never had to worry about that.
Sure hope your son's friend doesn't have any more trouble with that, either.
Thanx for the support :) ! I sure needed it!

Re: Internet Predators
 

To bad there is so many freakos out there. I donot have any kids but if I did I think id be right there with them every time they got on the net. I myself had run inns with freakos and stockers. It even freaked me out. You have to be careful in all ways.
But than on the other hand there are some great people you meet too.
I have to say there is a native american group I belong too I was real new in it at the time we had a gathering In Wasington State I did go to it it was way back in the mountains I was picked up by two woman at the airport than we waited for another guy coming in from Arizonia we got in the car and drove and drove and drove and finally arrived to the house. I was kinda nervous at first but it turned out to be one of the best times of my life :woohoonaner: People came in from all over the United States. We played drums danced around the fire had a sweat lodge cooked native american food.We gifted it was a great powwow.
Eric be careful little brother.

Re: Internet Predators
 

Yes, it's an empty room with white walls, no door or windows and no internet connection.

Re: Internet Predators
 

Hahaha, who knows maybe there will be great Bananas.org gathering once with members from all over globe ;):woohoonaner:

Re: Internet Predators
 

that would be so cool :woohoonaner: cant waite !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Internet Predators
 

[quote=djmb74;112528]I pray there is a special place in hell for people that prey on the young, weak, and helpless! That being said....

Amen to that my brother

Re: Internet Predators
 

Super Idea :) !!!!!! Could have a big Luau with lots of munchies, especially nanners!! Sweet!!

Thanx guys :) !! Now I feel so happy I could Pop!!

Re: Internet Predators
 

yes we could roast a hog have some banana pudding and some pineapple upside down cake yes !!!!!!!!!!!!! :woohoonaner:

Re: Internet Predators
 

There is a website called 419baiters that turns the tables on some of the scam artist out there. They do all sorts of things to occupy their time and send them on wild goose chases. Some of the stories there are really funny.

I was scammed when I was trying to sell some puppies--it is called the third party scam--the guy sent me a check for more than the cost of the puppy and said I should sent the excess to his puppy courier (before the check had time to clear). I did not fall for the scam, but did find out that banks now charge you for deposits that bounce.

Re: Internet Predators
 

Banks charge you if the check bounces!? That's not fair! Glad to hear ya didn't fall for the scam, though. Was so worried about that weird guy that was after me, I didn't even stop to think about scammers!
Btw, Thanx for the great idea, 419baiters :) !! Think I'll send him on a wild goose chase if I ever run into him again!! LOL!!

Greg :) !! Pinapple upside down cake... Super!! Btw, Luv that photo of your mom!! We got lots of Teepees here in Oklahoma, too, they're Super!!

Re: Internet Predators
 

that reminds me of this puppy story
Advance Fee Scammers Now Exploiting Cute Puppies - The Consumerist

Re: Internet Predators
 

Yeah, ya really have to be careful on the internet for scams and 'not so reputable' individuals. Honestly, though...you can't let this get to you too much or you let them win! Don't hole yourself up and only go on sites where you feel 'safe' cause then you severely limit yourself. Ya have to step past your comfort zones sometimes. With that said, this doesn't mean you should be sharing your private info with everyone. Be safe about things and be ever vigilant for scams/traps.

Think about it...now that you've had this bad experience, don't you feel like you're more prepared to deal with it if it ever happens again?? I've been scammed out of large amounts of money, I've met people off the internet many times who were not quite how they said they were or how they acted online. If you're ever going to share private information about your location, phone number, etc, you should be pretty comfortable with that person and know them well prior to such exchanges of information. Even then, every time I meet someone off the internet, I'm always careful to do it in a neutral location with people around. And I always carry my menacing-looking pocket knife 'just in case.' Cause really...ya never know. I've only had a few kinda sketchy experiences, nothing too bad, but I always play it safe.

Basically, to sum this all up....always be careful to ensure you will be safe in any situation....but don't limit yourself unnecessarily just because a situation isn't 100% safe, either.

Re: Internet Predators
 

this practis of charging for some ones bounced check is against the law in all 50 stats a call to the interstate banking commission will get your fees back and a hefty fine for the bank

Re: Internet Predators
 

Eric - so glad that you have come out of that situation well - you are one smart guy!! When people go beyond friendly and try to get too close too soon, alarm bells ring and you listened to them. Good advice never to give out your address, phone no or email address too quickly - I also avoid the social networking sites too - for that reason but also because I simply don't have the time!

Pig roasts are a DR speciality - so I'll bring that (or 2 if needed for the crowds that will turn up)! Chocolate-dipped frozen bananas!

Re: Internet Predators
 

Bryan. Did some thinking. It probably wouldn't have even bothered me much if the guy hadn't been so vicious. And I don't like being restricted so I'm just gonna use the "wild goose chase" idea if I ever run into that guy again!
Guess I shouldn't have kept quiet about it so long. Sure makes it easier to figure out when ya talk to other people!

Paul, Thanx for that info :) ! Didn't think that could be all that legal for banks to do.

Island Cassie, Thanx :) ! Those alarm bells were real easy to hear! Sounded like he liked me but wanted to hurt me, too... it just didn't make any sense. Guess there's just some really weird people that get on the internet sometimes!
Not worried anymore! Guess I can change my location, under my avatar, back to Oklahoma now. Don't guess (if he was ever lurking) that he really believed I live on Mars, LOL!!

Re: Internet Predators
 

I saw a show a while back where they showed how easy it is to figure out someone's true identity from just a few scraps of info that commonly get shared in chat rooms. The girl thought she was being careful but just a few things she told the person over the course of several conversations enabled him to track her down. Her parents also thought she was safe until this happened. Of course it was all set up and the stalker was working for the show so there was no real danger, but man was she and her parents surprised and frightened at how easy it was!

Re: Internet Predators
 

Not just the internet, everywhere, maybe even Mars!

Re: Internet Predators
 

:woohoonaner:
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