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View submission: Reddit and Karma Explained
Reddit is unfortunately plagued with spam accounts whose sole purpose is to part you from your hard-earned cash. A good general rule to follow in life is “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”, and it’s far better to lose an opportunity than lose your credit card details. Here’s a few to watch out for:
Never click links from Posts, Comments or Direct Messages that ask you to download something, log into something or share your details, even if you think they might be genuine. There have in the past been phishing schemes on Reddit where scam hyperlinks were posted in some comments. Clicking on the hyperlink would bring up the Reddit login page where you were told to log in again. However, the page was actually fake and instead collected information from the users who tried to log in so that the phisher could go into the user’s account and lock them out by changing the password. This allowed them to use the genuine user’s accounts to spam NSFW posts, and the genuine users lost their accounts completely. If you’re asked to log into anything from a link whether it be Reddit or a website you want to visit, don’t do it. Leave the post and go to the app or site directly instead.
Be mindful of Direct Messages (DMs) and Direct Chat requests from someone with an unfamiliar username. It isn’t uncommon to receive porn-based spam[1] via our private messaging system where someone will promise chat or sample pictures for “free” which end up being anything but. Ignore them, no matter how tempting the offer might seem. Some platforms now show the recent Subreddit activity of the requester, and if not, clicking their username will show their posting history. This should give you a idea of whether they're acting in good faith or not. You do not have to respond to any request. The Chat has a “Refuse” button and the requester will not know if you choose that option.
1: https://www.reddit.com/r/pornscam/comments/i27umq/scammers_pming_me_trying_to_scam_me/
Again, as you read in Part 3 of this guide, be very wary of any posts displaying t-shirts, posters, prints, mugs, incense holders, stickers - basically anything saying “look at my cool stuff” or similar - and **never ever** ask where you can get one. These will be unofficial merchandising bot accounts and it is highly likely that the vast majority (if not all) links will eventually lead you to dodgy phishing, dropship or credit-card scam sites.
These types of posts are prevalent on fandom subs, and one dedicated to the “How To Train Your Dragon” universe issues a warning entitled **Why you should not buy T-shirts/hoodies/mugs linked in comments.**[2] Don’t be tempted by buying or even commenting on anything merch-related you see because you run the very real risk of being scammed, and if you reply to such posts, some subreddits will instantly permaban you as an accomplice of the shill even if you aren’t. If you really REALLY want that thingy, you should try to find a reputable dealer elsewhere. Or Amazon.
2: https://www.reddit.com/r/httyd/comments/cl3el6/
Unfortunately, this is just the tip of the iceberg. When you get the chance, it really will be worthwhile reading my expanded guide to Scams and Spam on Reddit[3] which also covers charity and crypto scams to watch out for.
Please read the official rules on using Reddit as a marketplace[4]. When considering a gift or transaction of goods or services not prohibited by this policy, keep in mind that Reddit is not intended to be used as a marketplace and takes no responsibility for any transactions individual users might decide to undertake in spite of this. Always remember: you are dealing with strangers on the internet[5] who may well not be who they say they are.
4: https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043513471
5: https://i.redd.it/osmpkor1tphb1.jpg
For further reading on scams, see the following links:
“If you want this t-shirt, say yes in the Comments”
6: https://www.reddit.com/r/NewToReddit/comments/p8t966/comment/jvpyu3v/
There's nothing here!
