How we verify reports
A report can be useful without turning a community platform into a place for unsupported accusations. This policy defines the publication threshold.
1. Private by default
New reports are not visible to the public. They enter a moderation queue and remain private while evidence is reviewed.
2. What moderators review
Moderators consider the sequence of events, screenshots, message headers, public account links, payment references, dates, domain information and other corroborating material. Where appropriate, they may ask the reporter for more information or independently confirm public facts.
3. What “verified” means
A verified Scam Alert report means the submission met the platform’s evidence-review and publication standard. It does not mean a court or law-enforcement agency has found the named person or organisation guilty of an offence.
4. Publication and redaction
We publish only what is reasonably necessary to warn users and describe the scam pattern. Passwords, PINs, OTPs, full bank-card details, identity numbers, home addresses and other sensitive information should not be published. Evidence shown publicly should be a separate redacted copy.
5. Naming and linking accounts
Public profile or website links may be included when they are necessary to identify the reported scam pattern and the evidence supports publication. Private individuals should not be exposed merely because they are mentioned in a complaint. Moderators may withhold names, blur images or publish only the platform/handle pattern.
6. Right of reply and disputes
People or organisations affected by a published report should have a clear channel to submit a correction, supporting evidence or takedown request. Material disputes should trigger a re-review and, where appropriate, a temporary publication hold.
7. Critical Safety Reports
Reports involving dangerous lures, unsafe meetings, kidnapping or abduction concerns, GBVF/femicide risk, trafficking, stalking, coercion or extortion do not enter the ordinary publication workflow. They are routed into a restricted Critical Safety queue, remain private by default and are technically blocked from public publication.
Moderators should avoid publishing active locations, unverified suspect identities or operational details that could expose a victim or interfere with an investigation. Scam Alert is not an emergency-response service, so immediate danger is directed to official emergency and support channels before platform review.
8. Corrections and takedowns
Published reports should maintain a change history. Corrections should be visible where the original wording materially changed. Reports may be removed where evidence is disproved, privacy risk outweighs public interest, the submission is abusive, or publication no longer meets the platform standard.
9. Paid services stay separate from publication
Paying for assistance does not guarantee publication or a particular moderation outcome. Moderation decisions should be independent of commercial service purchases.
10. Account recovery rules
Scam Alert should assist only through legitimate platform recovery and support channels. Staff must never request or retain a user’s password, PIN, OTP or online-banking credentials.