# Are you allowed to call a poster a flat out fraud?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231
**Category:** About This Message Board
**Created:** [January 20, 2008, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231 "2008-01-20T05:42:08Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/1 "2008-01-20T05:42:08Z")
There is one poster here that so obvioulsy a fake, yet have I no proof- am I allowed to start a thread accusing them as such?
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### Author:  [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/2 "2008-01-20T05:57:46Z")
Well, I am not sure if that is allowed or not. But, I have to ask you, are you prepared for the backlash that will ensue? Are you prepared to be able to prove who you really are, and back up the claims you’ve made here with actual proof they happened in real life, and aren’t just type?
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### Author:  [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/3 "2008-01-20T06:00:43Z")
[QUOTE=Zabali\_Clawbane]
Well, I am not sure if that is allowed or not. But, I have to ask you, are you prepared for the backlash that will ensue? Are you prepared to be able to prove who you really are, and back up the claims you’ve made here with actual proof they happened in real life, and aren’t just type?
[/QUOTE]
Actually I rarely post about personal activites, mainly just general opinions on sports and movies and religion and current topics. I don’t claim to be anything, really, but sure I’d be willing to give anyone my home phone and address and where I work, whatever.
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### Author:  [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/4 "2008-01-20T06:03:24Z")
I don’t know if [this Messiah thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=451485) is what you are referring to, but I am Jesus H Christ using SSG Schwartz’s computer.
Jesus H Christ
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### Author:  [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/5 "2008-01-20T06:07:12Z")
[QUOTE=SSG Schwartz]
I don’t know if [this Messiah thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=451485) is what you are referring to, but I am Jesus H Christ using SSG Schwartz’s computer.
Jesus H Christ
[/QUOTE]
No, that one was way more beliveable that the one I’m referring to. 🙂
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### Author:  [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/6 "2008-01-20T06:08:39Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn]
No, that one was way more beliveable that the one I’m referring to. 🙂
[/QUOTE]
Bless you My child.
Jesus H Christ.
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### Author:  [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/7 "2008-01-20T06:31:59Z")
Now I’m all curious. PM or email me **Wee Bairn** , if you get a chance.
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### Author:  [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/8 "2008-01-20T07:11:09Z")
Well, _I’M_ really in Bangkok. ☹
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### Author:  [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/9 "2008-01-20T07:17:22Z")
[QUOTE=Siam Sam]
Well, _I’M_ really in Bangkok. ☹
[/QUOTE]
What’s so bad about that?
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### Author:  [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/10 "2008-01-20T07:19:40Z")
Nothing. Just paranoid.
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### Author:  [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/11 "2008-01-20T13:24:48Z")
Confession: I am not an actual butler, nor am I a dog.
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### Author:  [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/12 "2008-01-20T14:35:15Z")
[QUOTE=Larry Borgia]
Now I’m all curious. PM or email me **Wee Bairn** , if you get a chance.
[/QUOTE]
PM sent.
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### Author:  [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/13 "2008-01-20T14:39:37Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn]
There is one poster here that so obvioulsy a fake, yet have I no proof- am I allowed to start a thread accusing them as such?
[/QUOTE]
If you’re concerned that there’s a sock or troll wandering about, flag one of his or her posts and notify the mods – that’s what they get coffee mugs for. No vigilantism needed.
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### Author:  [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/14 "2008-01-20T14:48:30Z")
I, however, am a Pirate.
…what?
I didn’t mention that before?
I’m _sure_ I must have.
Let me check my Pirate Notes.
…aaaarrrrrrrr…
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### Author:  [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/15 "2008-01-20T14:52:56Z")
My personal opinion is either put up or shut up. It’s a message board. It should only minorly affect your life. But if you are concerned about the board’s integrity (eh?) or you are highly annoyed, then start a thread and make your case.
I would suggest putting the thread in the Pit, because that’s where it’s gonna end up.
And damnit, now it’s going to bug me, trying to figure the poster out. PM?
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### Author:  [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/16 "2008-01-20T15:11:32Z")
[QUOTE=fisha]
My personal opinion is either put up or shut up. It’s a message board. It should only minorly affect your life. But if you are concerned about the board’s integrity (eh?) or you are highly annoyed, then start a thread and make your case.
I would suggest putting the thread in the Pit, because that’s where it’s gonna end up.
And damnit, now it’s going to bug me, trying to figure the poster out. PM?
[/QUOTE]
PM sent.
I thought about a pit thread, but then I’d just get 100 people demanding proof, which I don’t have.
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### Author:  [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/17 "2008-01-20T16:04:51Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn]
There is one poster here that so obvioulsy a fake, yet have I no proof- am I allowed to start a thread accusing them as such?
[/QUOTE]
In light of the recent pronouncement in the Great Debates forum that it is impermissible to call someone a liar, and given that calling someone a “fraud” is calling them a liar, I’d say that the only possible place in which such a thread could be contemplated is the Pit, and even there, what you say will have to be tempered with some common sense.
After all, I will remind you that even here, you are subject to defamation laws. If nothing else, you’d better either be offering a clear opinion, or have some proof your factual assertions are correct. 😉
If, for example, you don’t think that the person has the technical knowledge they claim, you might pit them with a thread stating something like, “X can’t be a gravemologist because he has made three specific statements, a, b, and c, each of which no competent gravemologist would ever say [cite].”
And even then, it’s likely that any such thread would quickly spiral out of control, and be closed, with warnings issued to all and sundry. :eek:
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### Author:  [@fisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fisha)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/18 "2008-01-20T16:19:46Z")
The ‘fraudulent’ poster is a more intelligent than usual troll, but is clumsy and trying too hard. A little too obvious. I think a pitting would be premature and not that exciting, at least at this point. Give her some more rope to hang herself with, first.
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### Author:  [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/19 "2008-01-20T16:24:48Z")
[QUOTE=DSYoungEsq]
And even then, it’s likely that any such thread would quickly spiral out of control, and be closed, with warnings issued to all and sundry. :eek:
[/QUOTE]
Actually, one such thread lead to an admission of fraud by the accused and subsequently, his banning.
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### Author:  [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)
#### Post date: [January 20, 2008, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-allowed-to-call-a-poster-a-flat-out-fraud/434231/20 "2008-01-20T16:29:23Z")
[QUOTE=fisha]
The ‘fraudulent’ poster is a more intelligent than usual troll, but is clumsy and trying too hard. A little too obvious. I think a pitting would be premature and not that exciting, at least at this point. Give her some more rope to hang herself with, first.
[/QUOTE]
Ditto.
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