BEWARE of Friend requests that are not so friendly
Today I checked my Goodreads friend request...
In it was my second request, with an odd profile. The first one had me thinking I was being paranoid because of what I research and write about. Sexual Slavery. The second request I received? With even MORE disturbing text? And a link, if interested?
I reported it to Goodreads.
(Keep reading if you want to know what to look for)
I beg everyone to always check who is asking to be your friend here on Goodreads.
Goodreads is excellent about responding and trying to keep us safe, so help them! Keep your eyes open! And let them know of any suspicious activity. Doing so you will have helped fellow friends and authors from receiving what I just did.
I followed the link provided (before posting this blog) to make sure I am not spreading false information. Umm, the home page was of naked woman. I searched no further. May not be an illegal site but it does not belong on Goodreads.
Please, report any friend request with links and wording such as "Sexy young girls wanting love kindness waiting for you here >>>>>>(the link).
That was the EXACT wording.
Be safe. Be aware. Help others. Create Light.
—India
In it was my second request, with an odd profile. The first one had me thinking I was being paranoid because of what I research and write about. Sexual Slavery. The second request I received? With even MORE disturbing text? And a link, if interested?
I reported it to Goodreads.
(Keep reading if you want to know what to look for)
I beg everyone to always check who is asking to be your friend here on Goodreads.
Goodreads is excellent about responding and trying to keep us safe, so help them! Keep your eyes open! And let them know of any suspicious activity. Doing so you will have helped fellow friends and authors from receiving what I just did.
I followed the link provided (before posting this blog) to make sure I am not spreading false information. Umm, the home page was of naked woman. I searched no further. May not be an illegal site but it does not belong on Goodreads.
Please, report any friend request with links and wording such as "Sexy young girls wanting love kindness waiting for you here >>>>>>(the link).
That was the EXACT wording.
Be safe. Be aware. Help others. Create Light.
—India
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Eldon wrote: "I received the same request India and also thought it suspicious. Whenever someone has no books shelved I tend to think they're not really a part of this community.It's a shame this stuff happens..."
I hear ya, I didn't click on the link when I reported it but when I decided to warn others, such as this blog, I wanted to be sure I was spreading something I wasn't sure of, ya know? So I took a chance. In other groups, where I have warned..., there are lots of others who have been receiving the same and now know what to do :) It was worth the risk. Hopefully I don't have a virus in my laptop.
Thanks for your comment, Eldon!
It just makes me paranoid of the times I approved friend requests without looking *cringe*
Marie wrote: "It just makes me paranoid of the times I approved friend requests without looking *cringe*"Lol! Aw! I understand but now that ya know, you will check.
A couple weeks ago, I was telling some Goodreads friends "Always check who is friend requesting you. If they have not reviewed any books and are not an author, chances are it is a fraud account. Go back and see they profile again in a couple days. If they are now reading etc than friend them." It's a pain, I guess, but worth it :)
Thanks for commenting, Marie!
Where do you send it. I just found one this morning friend requesting me, but I can't find a place to send to Goodreads. :(
The two icky requests I received recently had books rated/reviewed and friends. They work quickly to look legit. But in the "about me" section...ugh. Kinda scary actually.
Dusty wrote: "Where do you send it. I just found one this morning friend requesting me, but I can't find a place to send to Goodreads. :("There is no spam in friend requests so I copied the link, went to help, and reported it there.
Goodreads replied to me saying that take this very seriously and it has been sent to another department for further investigations. Thank you Goodreads!
You can also "block" the person. That is one the request page, small in gray.
Let me know if you need more help :)
Marie wrote: "The two icky requests I received recently had books rated/reviewed and friends. They work quickly to look legit. But in the "about me" section...ugh. Kinda scary actually."Ew! Really? I guess they are figuring out how to look more authentic.
I worry for the girls on that website :(
I just got one such request too..the name is Kayaggist :/ Ugh!
Tahera wrote: "I just got one such request too..the name is Kayaggist :/ Ugh!"Wow. There are so many going around... Yuck! Just keep blocking them and let your friends know to beware.
Ugh, is right.
Thanks for caring!
It's unreal how many are going around now. I've come to expect these trolls on Facebook but not here :(
Apparently they are working on the issue here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...I really think they should add an option to report a member straight from the profile page instead of expecting members to go through a multi step process to report it (copy/paste url, find goodreads contact info, compose email etc.) Most people will not go through that much trouble each time which will allow these accounts to remain active longer.
I got a request from someone today who mentioned looking for sex with women in her profile. I was like yeah... no.
C.L. wrote: "I got a request from someone today who mentioned looking for sex with women in her profile. I was like yeah... no."That's the same one I got!! Creepy!
India R. Adams wrote: "Dusty wrote: "Where do you send it. I just found one this morning friend requesting me, but I can't find a place to send to Goodreads. :("There is no spam in friend requests so I copied the link,..."
Thanks! I figured out how to send it. When I get another one in, I'll do the same, and figure out how to block them. I looked around on their pages, but couldn't find that button.
Eldon wrote: "It's unreal how many are going around now. I've come to expect these trolls on Facebook but not here :("I know! Caught me off guard! I've seen FB trying hard to battle the overwhelming fake accounts... It's unnerving how many people try to profit off of someone's else body. The internet has made it so easy :( But, the internet has made it easy for US to communicate and spread the word to beware.
Marie wrote: "Apparently they are working on the issue here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...I really think they should add an option to report a member straight from the profile..."
Thank you so much for sharing that link!
Goodreads is trying, that is all I can ask :)
C.L. wrote: "I got a request from someone today who mentioned looking for sex with women in her profile. I was like yeah... no."We're about books here. It still amazes me—ugh, it shouldn't. Goodreads is huge. The traffickers are looking for numbers. They know with so many, there is bound to be some predators among us. Keep blocking them and letting your friends/followers know. There is power in knowledge :)
Eldon wrote: "C.L. wrote: "I got a request from someone today who mentioned looking for sex with women in her profile. I was like yeah... no."That's the same one I got!! Creepy!"
Sorry you guys have to go through this :(
Dusty wrote: "India R. Adams wrote: "Dusty wrote: "Where do you send it. I just found one this morning friend requesting me, but I can't find a place to send to Goodreads. :("There is no spam in friend request..."
Thank you so much for being willing to take the extra steps, reporting them. As far as blocking them, it is on the page of the friend request. I believe, to the right. Light grey text.
It's a shame this stuff happens here but I suppose spam is everywhere these days :(
You're braver than me though...I would never click on an unknown link.
Good advice India! Let's stay safe :)