Message from HOATalk to our members: Spammers

Started by hoatalk • 9 replies • 407 views

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hoatalk (California)
Posts: 603

Posted:

Hi Everyone,

As you have seen, a spammer or spammers have decided to attack this group with hundreds of fake posts a day.

We are gathering information on them and will take appropriate action.

In the meantime, we've been able to stop the posts and are evaluating technical options.

Thank you for hanging in there and making this a place where people get help and have civil conversations.

Best Regards,
HOATalk.com

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JohnC46 (South Carolina)
Posts: 14,265

Posted:

Thank you.

SusanW15 (Texas)
Posts: 10

Posted:

A big "thank you" to this site's moderators/administrators! Your efforts are very much appreciated!

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

Thanks so much!

A suggestion - would it be possible to put the older conversations in another area where comments would be closed? People could still read the information, but wouldn't be able to post new comments. That might help with searches and hopefully prompt people to start new conversations where they can get current information.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,061

Posted:

With others, I thank the moderators for addressing the issues when needed.

I would be against Shelia's suggestion because things move slowly in Associations and it's nice to hear updates if the OP desires to give one.

hoatalk (California)
Posts: 603

Posted:

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for the nice comments and feedback.

We are actually considering a change regarding old posts that is somewhere between Shelia and Tim's comments. The spammers were grabbing hundreds of old posts and replying to them to drag them back up to the front page. We are thinking of locking posts that are older than some number of days still TBD. We are thinking maybe 60 or 90 days, but Tim's comment makes us wonder if that's too short and maybe 6 months is better? We now have posts going back 16 years, so we really should lock them at some point.

Your thoughts on this would be appreciated.

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KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

I like Sheila's idea too, but agree that 6 months seem OK. Some do return with updates, but it's not super common.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

I think locking everything from 2015 and earlier would be a start. Every year or two after that, lock the next oldest year.

I understand Tim 's point about uodate, but this wouldn't stop that - people can do a search for the original post, then go to the new one for the update. That would save some time from wading through a bunch of old posts.

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Sounds like a good idea to lock older post. Make them searchable but not postable. If someone has an update, they can put in the subject line: Update to: XXXX. Going back 6 months to a year is about average anyone has ever updated their situation anyways.

Thank you again for taking care of the situation. People strike out in different ways when they are upset about something. It does not have to be rational. It may be they just don't like HOA's. However, I think our goal here has always been how best to live and deal with a HOA. A little education and knowledge can go a long way for those who want to listen.

Former HOA President

PatJ1 (North Carolina)
Posts: 568

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MelissaP1 on 10/17/2021 7:40 AM
Sounds like a good idea to lock older post. Make them searchable but not postable. If someone has an update, they can put in the subject line: Update to: XXXX. Going back 6 months to a year is about average anyone has ever updated their situation anyways.

Thank you again for taking care of the situation. People strike out in different ways when they are upset about something. It does not have to be rational. It may be they just don't like HOA's. However, I think our goal here has always been how best to live and deal with a HOA. A little education and knowledge can go a long way for those who want to listen.

I agree. 6-12 months for active posts to be replied to. 12 months might be better since HOA's move slow just by their organizational setup.

HOATalk.com is a valuable source and contains a wealth of information. Sad that someone, for some reason, thought is was a good target for nonsense.

Thank you for providing the forum.

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