by ☆ ƒåitĥ ☆
Member since:
August 8, 2006

Darn it, now I have been impersonated! Faith B b (with an extra b at the end) is an imposter!!!

November 11, 2006 06:17 AM EST
views: 179 | comments: 53
As I'm hoping you all can already tell: I now have my own imposter. Some of you may have received messages or comments from someone named Faith B b with one of my pictures as their icon and I want you to know that is NOT the real me. You can tell because the imposter but a small "b" at the end of the name. I would never say hurtful things like that person has been saying. I actually expected this to happen, to be honest with you, because I was following her around this morning trying to warn people that Robiyah W. was being targeted. I was leaving a warning comment right after her imposter was leaving a really nasty comment. Obviously the imposter was frustrated with this and turned around and started pretending to be ME!

When will this person be stopped? When will Gather come up with a more secure registration? One where people have to verify more personal information or something in order to get an account? When will we be given the power to delete a  person's comments from our own content? I know Gather's big thing is  "FREE SPEECH" - but come on guys. When it's obviously something totally outrageous like this, we should have a way to either prevent it from happening or have a way to take these sorts of comments off our pages. Who wants to leave pictures on their profile when so many hurtful and nasty comments have been left on it? No one wants to read that stuff.

Thanks, the REAL Faith B. (no small b at the end) 
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Comments: 53

Taliah "Had it with the drama" H. Nov 11, 2006, 6:28am EST
I wonder if it is going to take them impersonating some of the gather staff to get this dealt with. Liz, robiyah and now you....this is out of hand! I am sure that sfter this comment they will decide to impersonate me. I think we can all figure that when there is a familiar name with something different after the name that they are an impersonator.
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Nov 11, 2006, 6:31am EST
Yep - you are very right. That's why I posted this article and sent an email to everyone on my connections list. Just so we can get the word out, so people can know what to look for. I would just hate it if people ever thought I would say mean things like this to someone. Especially someone brand new to Gather... someone who had NO idea that it wasn't me. I hope they don't get you, but... if they do... we'll all know it isn't really "you". Bye for now, Taliah!
Hilary O. Nov 11, 2006, 6:36am EST
I don't know why people have to do stuff like that. I guess they have nothing better to do with their life. I hope gather gets it figured out soon.
Leah Christensen Nov 11, 2006, 6:46am EST
Got that e-mail Faith, and replied.

My trick is to remember screennames. If you see anything from me and the screenname is anything but danishcanadian, it's NOT me!
Debbie H. Nov 11, 2006, 7:17am EST
I can't believe this is happening to you now!!! This is way out of hand and should be dealt with. From the sounds of it...this will be eveybody's problem soon!
Debra H. Nov 11, 2006, 7:25am EST
It seems to be becoming a fad and will probaby run it's course until someone thnks of something new. Don't worry Faith we who know and love you will be able to tell if it's faith or if it's memorex.
Olga M. Nov 11, 2006, 7:35am EST
I need to know more about this. Do the nasty comments show up only in e-mails? Isn't that why we have a password? Could someone please give me a link so that I can see a sample of this kind of thing? Thank you.
Ang, wandering aimlessly, G. Nov 11, 2006, 9:29am EST
Wow! I'm sorry that he/she/it is impersonating you now. What a mess. Gather really needs to do something about this person.

Hang in there it will get better.
Lisa W. Nov 11, 2006, 9:43am EST
That's really creepy--and annoying that she stole one of your pictures. Thanks for the warning!
Erin K. Nov 11, 2006, 9:47am EST
Group owners especially should have the ability to remove hurtful comments from the group. I know in my Manic Mommies group, every now and again we get someone commenting in a way that does not add to the conversation, or worse, criticizes the author seeking advice or help. I'll be on the lookout for her (or him?) in my group.
Auntie Smedley Nov 11, 2006, 10:08am EST
Aaaaaargh! Faith, I'm sorry that you've also been subjected to this abuse. It's ridiculous and disturbing, and I sincerely hope Gather management addresses it stat.
Μόףףý ● ķ ~ Nov 11, 2006, 10:14am EST
This is really getting out of hand!
Brad (the Boy Wonder) W. Nov 11, 2006, 10:31am EST
This makes three people that I know about that have had this happen. How many more will it take before they become a little more proactive about policing against this kind of thing?
jessie voigts Nov 11, 2006, 10:41am EST
cripes. good luck with gather fixing it. i am SO sorry - and am glad you (and liz) emailed us!
Anne B. Grote Nov 11, 2006, 10:55am EST
I think this whole thing is absolutely ridiculous! You come here to write and read and you are faced with subterfuge! If this stuff continues, I am outta here!
Renee V. Nov 11, 2006, 11:54am EST
Faith, Pardon my french, that sucks. I am glad you got a response as to the best way to respond or report it to Gather. Gather is like life at the moment, the more freedoms you open up the more people abuse it. It's so unfortunate. Let us know what happens.
Cathy S. Nov 11, 2006, 12:15pm EST
I almost quit Gather on day two because someone left such mean comments on some of my images, which were removed more than a week later. I was very frustrated at the lack of being able to control what comments appeared with my work and I hope that all of this can be put to a stop.
Penina F. Nov 11, 2006, 12:26pm EST
Faith and all, I wrote an email early this morning to gather's 'abuse' address, and received this email a few hours later:

Penina,

Thank you for writing in. We have taken care of the imposters listed below. Please don't hesitate to bring anything like this to our attention.

Best regards,
MaryAnne
Director of Member Services
Gather, Inc.
Stacey "Yeah, I Said It" H. Nov 11, 2006, 12:33pm EST
This is the kind of stuff that will shut a site down. I almost took the bait on Liz's comments, then I went to the namespace and saw the account was just created and kinda figured it out. I'm sure the administrators of the site will address this, we just need to be diligent in reporting offenders.
Connie C. Nov 11, 2006, 1:02pm EST
Man, that is another scary incident on gather!
Nikole S Nov 11, 2006, 1:20pm EST
Everyone need to start sending emails complaining. I know some of you already have, but those who haven't should. We need to get this to stop. I am so disgusted at this and can't believe the imaturity of some people.
Robin"Buffy's Stunt Double" D. Nov 11, 2006, 2:58pm EST
I got the email, Faith and I will keep my eyes open. I can't believe that someone took the time to do this to you. I'll pay more attention to the B, but I think I would realize something out of character for you anyway. I guess we all have to be on alert
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Nov 11, 2006, 3:36pm EST
Thank you to EVERYONE for such kind comments. Like I said... I almost expected this to happen to me, because that same person was basically just going down the list of people who had made comments regarding the imposter, and then stealing their identities. I was up late last night (this morning) and all of a sudden got this weird comment (totally out of character) from Robiyah and realized then that Robiyah had been targeted. Then I just started to refresh my screen and saw all the comments that the imposter was making. I just followed them around and put in my own warning comment telling the victim that whomever left the comment before me was an imposter. I'm sure that made the imposter quite upset, so they turned around and did it to me. I'm just glad I expected it, because if this had happened while I was sleeping... I would have never had a chance to clear my name so quickly. I would have woken up to a million nasty emails instead of a million really NICE emails! Thanks again to everyone who responded to this article and to everyone who wrote to me by email. I am in the process of going through all of my emails and will get back to each and every one of you. I haven't even had time to check to see if all of the imposters are gone. So, are they? Has the problem been solved???
Sonia M. Nov 11, 2006, 3:42pm EST
Faith, I too received your message via e-mail and thank you for making me aware of it....not that I would have thought you would have started acting differently all of a sudden.

this is already way out of hand. At least 10 people I know (including me) sent letters to abuse@gather.com yesterday reporting this viciousness. sure hope they reply and act soon
David Rochester Nov 11, 2006, 5:24pm EST
I noticed yesterday that the impostor targeted a lot of newly-arrived members who did not know the reputations of the people whose icons and names were hijacked. Even if Gather doesn't give two hoots about its membership, they should be concerned about losing members and revenue if this sort of thing is permitted to continue. It's idiotic that members do not have the capacity to moderate their own comments, and even more idiotic that Gather is not blocking these lunatics by ISP address.
Lisa B. Nov 11, 2006, 8:31pm EST
I had a mean comment in my email that someone I guess left at an image of mine, but now it is not there. I am wondering if it was an imposter that left it and Gather took it off.
Thanks to all that are trying to nip this thing.
Sandy/twilasue S. Nov 11, 2006, 10:13pm EST
I think it was reasons like this, things I saw in articles like this, that even though I joined back in April, I didn't start to participate until just now.

I come, think I would give it a try. Then something I"d read would make me queasy. So away I'd go. And then some email would pull me back here, for a moment or two, then again it would happen. Read something off and I wouldn't come back.

This is too bad. There certainly has to be a way of controlling this. Surely. I am a member at another web 2.0/community type site that the owner of is desperately trying keep it run by the community now that it's come out of beta.

We'll see how that goes; while in beta stage, we had the best self-policing, get along site the web had seen since it got it's start! So sad some people have to come in and make a mess of things. sigh....
Bonnie C. Nov 12, 2006, 2:59am EST
There is so much of this going around Grrr!
Carol Roach Nov 12, 2006, 2:59am EST
what is going on here, all these impostors this is incredible
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Nov 12, 2006, 3:34am EST
Keith: Thanks for sharing your story... and I'm glad you thought the alien comment was funny. What else am I supposed to think since you don't have any pictures of YOU on your page? So, that must mean you are the alien. Oh man, anyone else that reads this is going to have NO IDEA what I am talking about, are they? Oh well... just as long as they know this is the real Faith and I'm not saying anything mean to Keith, I'm just giving him a hard time. Anywho... you're welcome for the comment on your other picture too. You have a nice night/morning, ok?
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Nov 12, 2006, 3:39am EST
David Rochester: I noticed too that they were targeting new people, which really upsets me because I talk about Gather all the time to people and try to get them to join up and I am going to feel so dumb if they signed in only to see all these nasty remarks. Hopefully there will be some positive changes with Gather. I've already been getting emails from some Gather members pushing a different paid networking site, much like this one. Heck... if Gather doesn't make some changes, we might all go over there. I love Gather though, even with all this weird stuff going on. I don't want to leave and I don't want Gather to go away! I do see that the imposters have gone away and hopefully they won't be returning for awhile. Thanks to everyone's combined efforts, I'm sure.
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Nov 12, 2006, 3:44am EST
Lisa B: I too, had an email this morning saying someone had left me a comment and in the comment preview in my email, it was nasty and rude. Then when I clicked on it and went to where it was on Gather, they had already removed it. Yeah, they are actually nipping things in the bud!

Sandra S: I can see why you'd stay with Gather for awhile, then go away, then come back again. Gather really does suck you in, but it's sad that it can take as little as one or two people to really put a bad taste in your mouth. Let's hope everything is UPHILL from now on!

Bonnie C and Carol Roach: thanks again for taking the time to leave me a comment here, letting me know that you all are frustrated with it too. It does look like everything is nice and quiet now, but that may be just because all day long I've been busy responding to emails and haven't had any time to actually get on the articles. So I actually have NO idea if it's been quiet until I finish this up and go check things out! Let's hope for the best...
Linda H. Nov 12, 2006, 4:21pm EST
This is positively insane. Why on earth would anyone want to do such a thing? Not only is it childish, it should be illegal. I hope Gather can find the identity of these people and ban them somehow.

Faith.. I wrote to Liz and said this same thing to her; anyone who knows either of you should not have any problem recognizing an imposter. Neither of you could ever be racist or unkind.
Bonii P. Nov 12, 2006, 7:02pm EST
As a person who knows Faith B. fairly well, I would also like to say "thahkyou" on her behalf to all of you wonderful people who left comments about the "loser imposter" issue.

These incidents actually make me feel good and hopeful about Gather as another global community. Communities have, and will always, face threats to their cohesiveness. How they respond, individually, and as a group, is what makes a real community. Kudos to all of you! And to new people, don't be scared off by some weirdo who likes publicity. just look around at all the great community members who are there for each other, and who band together in the face of divisivness.

I am not usually a "joiner", but this has changed my mind! Good wishes to all of you out there.
Heidi S. Nov 12, 2006, 10:35pm EST
My goodness! I have not been on gather in about a week, and I come back, read my emails and find out that multiple people have had problems with people stealing their identities. This is so very scary...enough to make many people leave this site altogether. You would think gather would care enough to do something about it. It also scares me how EASY it is for people to just spam the heck out of your gather email. Not horribly comforting to me.
Hang in there Faith B (the real deal), and I certainly hope that Bonita P. is right. It is such a positive way to look at the community. Love that.
Heidi
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Nov 12, 2006, 11:21pm EST
Linda H: Yes... it IS insane! As far as I know... they have all been removed from Gather and I haven't heard anything else about anyone new popping up impersonating anyone, but then again... this is really the first time I've signed in to Gather today. You are SO, so nice to say such wonderful things about me (and Liz). I know you don't really "know" me, but you do know me well enough, thank goodness, to know that I would never be nasty like that to someone. I'm not the type of person who feels tough behind my computer and honestly, if I ever had a problem with anyone on here, I would bring up with them (and only them). I wouldn't start slandering someone on public boards. I appreciate your Faith in me.
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Nov 12, 2006, 11:26pm EST
Bonita (my mom): 1st of all, thanks for joining Gather because I asked you to, and 2nd... thanks for actually reading people articles and getting involved with the things that are going on here. I'm glad you are sticking with Gather even through all this imposter mumbo jumbo. I'm glad you are giving it a chance instead of just running scared like I'm sure a lot of newcomers have done. Thx for the good wishes too. Love you.

Heidi S: I bet it weirded you out to be away from this place for a week and then come back to something this crazy! Thanks for telling me to hang in there, I have been trying not to let it get to me. At times I find it a tad humorous just because that is my normal way to react to crazy situations, but then it really bothers me, but then I'm OK with it all. Just as long as Gather actually beefs up security, I'll stay - but if not, I'm out of here. Have a good one, Heidi, and thanks again for your kind words!!!
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Nov 12, 2006, 11:36pm EST
Angela C: Oh, I see! Man, this whole time I was thinking that Gather had actually removed the imposters. If they are deleting their own profiles, then I think I've lost all Faith! Please let me (us) know if you find out when/if Gather ever does anything about these people. Thanks!
Penina F. Nov 12, 2006, 11:39pm EST
Hm. The email I got from Gather said that the imposters had been removed.
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Nov 12, 2006, 11:41pm EST
Penina: You got an email from Gather? Darn it... I didn't get one. If you still have it, can you forward it to me please? How is everything going in CA, by the way? How has your son adjusted to his new school?
Penina F. Nov 12, 2006, 11:44pm EST
We're both really sick today. Actually, he's doing much better. I think his is just tummy reaction to a night out with Gramma (ever had Vimto soda? 48 grams of sugar in each can!)

My email from Gather is on this thread but I will re-paste it here:

Penina,

Thank you for writing in. We have taken care of the imposters listed below. Please don't hesitate to bring anything like this to our attention.

Best regards,
MaryAnne
Director of Member Services
Gather, Inc.
Penina F. Nov 12, 2006, 11:48pm EST
Oh, and so far it's very good at the school. His teachers are GREAT! Plus, as long as my work permits (and as long it seems necessary), I'll be hanging around an hour or two on Monday mornings. I found a table and a wall outlet near his classroom, so I can work some. Whenever things go pear-shaped (a few of them seem to have this on Mondays), he can come find me quick... and sometimes he likes to just peek out the door and see me. Seems like the whole week is different for him when I do this.
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Nov 13, 2006, 12:02am EST
Hi Penina: Thanks for posting that email again. That specific email had been the whole reason I have been telling people that the imposters were removed, so I appreciate it being on here, so people don't think I'm totally crazy. Well, I am a little crazy (who isn't?) but I'm not totally crazy and just making things up, heehee. Sorry you and your son have both been sick. I had never heard of that soda and I don't think I'd ever want to try it. I'd probably have an upset stomach too after drinking one. Leave it to Grandma, huh? My boys spent the weekend with my mom and they at his school a little bit on Mondays. I'm sure that means the world to him and it seems from talking to you, you two have a wonderful bond!
Lisa M. Nov 13, 2006, 12:22am EST
This is all kinda scarey...not to mention demented!!! Someone has way too much time on their hands! I wonder how it affects those of us that have the same names on postings...for example there is another Lisa M we just happen to have the same first name and initial...we've both made comments on a few postings, I hope one..it doesn't make it easier for an imposter to pose and two...I sure hope she doesn't think I'm trying to be her. I've had no problems with this...but I'll make sure to keep a look out for anything off kilter and let any parties involved know. Thanks for the heads up everyone!!
Parke F. Nov 13, 2006, 9:34am EST
Sorry this happened to you Faith... have they shut down the imposter's namespace yet?
Barbara F. Nov 13, 2006, 4:30pm EST
I wonder how it will be resolved...keep the faith, Faith..:)
Dorine H. Nov 13, 2006, 10:27pm EST
We can tell the nice real you from the jerky impostor!
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Nov 14, 2006, 12:56pm EST
Lisa M: have you talked with the other Lisa M just to let her know that you guys have the same name - just to give her the heads up and all that stuff? I'm sure she doesn't even care, or probably hasn't even noticed, but it might be a good idea just to say "hi" to her. This is some crazy stuff, but it really looks like everything has calmed down now. Thanks again!

Parke F: Thx! I THINK everything has been resolved. Penina F. posted an email from Gather on this article and in it, it said "Thank you for writing in. We have taken care of the imposters listed below. Please don't hesitate to bring anything like this to our attention." -- SO, that's what I've been going on. I hope it doesn't happen again to anyone, because I tell ya, I'm STILL trying to straighten everything out and it's been days since this all happened. I can't imagine how the other people have been dealing with it, because mine was minor compared to the things that happened to them!

Barbara F: Thanks for the "Keep the Faith" remark, although I hear that one quite a bit... I will have to admit, it IS good advice!!!

Dorine: You're sweet for saying that, I appreciate it. Have a nice day and I'm sure I'll see you soon on the boards somewhere.
☆ ƒåitĥ ☆ Nov 20, 2006, 6:45am EST
So I guess Elsie G. posted an article a few days ago suggesting that I DIDN'T have an imposter and this article and my warning email was just a cover-up. She is basically saying that I am the one who was saying all thos nasty comments under a fake profile. Maybe she missed that it happened to Liz, Wendy O, Bonnie G and Robiyah W too? I'm pretty upset by this, to be honest with you. If this Gather drama continues the way that it has... I'm out of here.
Amanda K. Nov 21, 2006, 11:28am EST
Don't leave! Screw them, just ignore them and focus on your "friends" here. All of us know you would never say things that were mean or spiteful.
Sonia M. Nov 22, 2006, 11:12pm EST
It happened to me also. Madame Donna and Donald H were the ones who alerted me someone was impersonating me and leaving ugly comments in my name

Here are the two articles I wrote about my impostor

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976836428

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976836631
Connie C. Dec 18, 2008, 3:49am EST
There is another Connie C on Gather now too. :(

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