How to Advertise Safely

[Dave]

Any information included in your advertisement is available for public viewing anywhere in the world. We strongly suggest NOT including your email address, street address or phone number.

Instead remind readers that you may be contacted via the forum's Personal Messaging (PM) system. This is a private closed system only accessible by other forum members. Because only other registered members can send personal messages, this filters out 99% of potential scammers and other morally challenged people.

Every new application for Douglas forum membership is personally checked by admin to detect spammers and scammers. However very occasionally, an undesirable applicant may manage to pass all the checks. If you receive a Personal Message from another member offering help with the parts you require, follow a few quick steps to check out the sender before responding.

Look at their profile on the left hand side of the personal message.

Are they a new member with zero posts? This is an indication to be careful. The new member has not yet proven to be a genuine Douglas enthusiast.



In their message to you, are there few details of what they have? Are they asking you to make contact via an email address or website link? These are also signs to be careful. Request more information via the PM system until you are confident the person is genuine.



Suggestions
If you have any doubts about the member making contact with you, here are some suggestions:

• Do not respond by email or follow any links they may provide.
• Communicate only via the Personal Message system.
• Ask for photos of what they have.
• Continue asking questions until you are confident the person is a genuine Douglas enthusiast. Genuine members will describe first hand Douglas experiences or display genuine knowledge of Douglas machinery.
• If still doubtful, use the Contact button in the main menu above to contact admin for an opinion.