Blocked on Facebook

Blocked on Facebook

Member since 2022 · 527 posts · 413 votes

Looking for advice.  I belong to a few local Facebook vacation rental groups.  Yesterday, a woman commented on a couple of my responses as "Scammer" and disliked my posts.  I called her out on it, informing her I was not a scammer and she sent me a private message.  I looked into her and see that she takes it upon herself to be judge and jury on "scammers" (everything she posts on the local groups is to tell people of scam posts...many actually are).  

Interestingly, I live in my community (Marco Island) with my short term rentals and have for years.  She DOES NOT! She lives in MA.  I only find this interesting because she spends her days commenting on Marco Island posts.

She proceeds to send me a long private message saying that she found me on a "scammer website".  She finally sends me a screenshot of this and it appears to be a Naples FL rental group that I belonged to.  They have a photo of me and my page warning people that I am a scammer and am banned and blocked.  And it says, "This one was bold and provided me with address."  I hadn't realized I was banned from this group.  I go back to see what I sent them and I had fat fingered an address (389 instead of 380).  They didn't verify anything but apparently are telling people I am a scammer which helps me understand why I am no longer getting any traction on Facebook.

Further, the person private messaging me spent (literally all night long) researching me and sending me messages insisting I am a scammer. I own no properties in my personal name. My primary residence is in a trust. My properties are in LLC. She is insistent on my providing her all of my information so she can verify my information, of which I decline to do but tell her that FL is pretty transparent (unless I have a land trust which I do not) and if she decides to be judge and jury to everyone she should figure out how to actually research appropriately.

Hours later, she is screenshotting my name (in every variation possible) showing no ownership.  After some time, she finds my personal address in trust and continues to insist I don't own my properties (she is not entering the correct address - there are several towers in my rental and she is assuming one and I own in the other).  

I am beside myself. Theoretically, I could make this go away by providing my information (ownership of the units and my stake in the LLC) but do not feel that is the right thing to do. She is literally a crazy person and I think she is going to try to ban me from other groups. I have already reached out to Facebook reporting her for harassment and to the original group she called me a scammer on (I did give the admin my addresses to validate since there are group rules about scamming). I am also trying to get back to the first group that banned me but I can no longer message or see the group or the admin. I am completely blocked. I had my husband request membership to see if he can message the admin the correct information in that group. BTW, I have a 2 decade long Facebook profile and hundreds of "friends" something you don't usually see with scammers (new profiles created with very few friends).

Other thoughts?  What would you do?  I am about to run Facebook ads but I have no idea how far this "scammer" information goes.  

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Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ and Rehoboth Beach DE · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
1y

Update - Patricia and I have been working on it, and I contacted the admin of the nationwide scammer site I'm on.  And I was able to get Patricia's name taken off their master list, so yay!  Reputation on Facebook does matter.

See this reply in the discussion

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  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y

    WOW - Sorry I have no advice except maybe a cease and desist letter from an attorney?  Annoying but a few hundred bucks might do the trick.

  • Cambridge, MA · Member since 2015 · 649 posts · 732 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Patricia Andriolo-Bull:

    Looking for advice.  I belong to a few local Facebook vacation rental groups.  Yesterday, a woman commented on a couple of my responses as "Scammer" and disliked my posts.  I called her out on it, informing her I was not a scammer and she sent me a private message.  I looked into her and see that she takes it upon herself to be judge and jury on "scammers" (everything she posts on the local groups is to tell people of scam posts...many actually are).  

    Interestingly, I live in my community (Marco Island) with my short term rentals and have for years.  She DOES NOT! She lives in MA.  I only find this interesting because she spends her days commenting on Marco Island posts.

    She proceeds to send me a long private message saying that she found me on a "scammer website".  She finally sends me a screenshot of this and it appears to be a Naples FL rental group that I belonged to.  They have a photo of me and my page warning people that I am a scammer and am banned and blocked.  And it says, "This one was bold and provided me with address."  I hadn't realized I was banned from this group.  I go back to see what I sent them and I had fat fingered an address (389 instead of 380).  They didn't verify anything but apparently are telling people I am a scammer which helps me understand why I am no longer getting any traction on Facebook.

    Further, the person private messaging me spent (literally all night long) researching me and sending me messages insisting I am a scammer. I own no properties in my personal name. My primary residence is in a trust. My properties are in LLC. She is insistent on my providing her all of my information so she can verify my information, of which I decline to do but tell her that FL is pretty transparent (unless I have a land trust which I do not) and if she decides to be judge and jury to everyone she should figure out how to actually research appropriately.

    Hours later, she is screenshotting my name (in every variation possible) showing no ownership.  After some time, she finds my personal address in trust and continues to insist I don't own my properties (she is not entering the correct address - there are several towers in my rental and she is assuming one and I own in the other).  

    I am beside myself. Theoretically, I could make this go away by providing my information (ownership of the units and my stake in the LLC) but do not feel that is the right thing to do. She is literally a crazy person and I think she is going to try to ban me from other groups. I have already reached out to Facebook reporting her for harassment and to the original group she called me a scammer on (I did give the admin my addresses to validate since there are group rules about scamming). I am also trying to get back to the first group that banned me but I can no longer message or see the group or the admin. I am completely blocked. I had my husband request membership to see if he can message the admin the correct information in that group. BTW, I have a 2 decade long Facebook profile and hundreds of "friends" something you don't usually see with scammers (new profiles created with very few friends).

    Other thoughts?  What would you do?  I am about to run Facebook ads but I have no idea how far this "scammer" information goes.  


     I think it will be worth your while to untangle this but it probably will go more efficiently once you get beyond the feeling that this woman is a lunatic. I don't know her story but it is possible she has a history of being scammed which is why she spends so much effort in spotting scams. 

    I've never been scammed but my units have appeared in SCAM advertisements frequently. I'm impressed this woman has successfully gotten listings banned. I've never been successful in getting any of the SCAM advertisements removed. 

  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    1y

    Why the resistance to showing her you do own these properties? 

    If she could look it up anyway make it easy on her and get her off your back.

  • Member since 2022 · 527 posts · 413 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Carolyn Fuller:
    Quote from @Patricia Andriolo-Bull:

    Looking for advice.  I belong to a few local Facebook vacation rental groups.  Yesterday, a woman commented on a couple of my responses as "Scammer" and disliked my posts.  I called her out on it, informing her I was not a scammer and she sent me a private message.  I looked into her and see that she takes it upon herself to be judge and jury on "scammers" (everything she posts on the local groups is to tell people of scam posts...many actually are).  

    Interestingly, I live in my community (Marco Island) with my short term rentals and have for years.  She DOES NOT! She lives in MA.  I only find this interesting because she spends her days commenting on Marco Island posts.

    She proceeds to send me a long private message saying that she found me on a "scammer website".  She finally sends me a screenshot of this and it appears to be a Naples FL rental group that I belonged to.  They have a photo of me and my page warning people that I am a scammer and am banned and blocked.  And it says, "This one was bold and provided me with address."  I hadn't realized I was banned from this group.  I go back to see what I sent them and I had fat fingered an address (389 instead of 380).  They didn't verify anything but apparently are telling people I am a scammer which helps me understand why I am no longer getting any traction on Facebook.

    Further, the person private messaging me spent (literally all night long) researching me and sending me messages insisting I am a scammer. I own no properties in my personal name. My primary residence is in a trust. My properties are in LLC. She is insistent on my providing her all of my information so she can verify my information, of which I decline to do but tell her that FL is pretty transparent (unless I have a land trust which I do not) and if she decides to be judge and jury to everyone she should figure out how to actually research appropriately.

    Hours later, she is screenshotting my name (in every variation possible) showing no ownership.  After some time, she finds my personal address in trust and continues to insist I don't own my properties (she is not entering the correct address - there are several towers in my rental and she is assuming one and I own in the other).  

    I am beside myself. Theoretically, I could make this go away by providing my information (ownership of the units and my stake in the LLC) but do not feel that is the right thing to do. She is literally a crazy person and I think she is going to try to ban me from other groups. I have already reached out to Facebook reporting her for harassment and to the original group she called me a scammer on (I did give the admin my addresses to validate since there are group rules about scamming). I am also trying to get back to the first group that banned me but I can no longer message or see the group or the admin. I am completely blocked. I had my husband request membership to see if he can message the admin the correct information in that group. BTW, I have a 2 decade long Facebook profile and hundreds of "friends" something you don't usually see with scammers (new profiles created with very few friends).

    Other thoughts?  What would you do?  I am about to run Facebook ads but I have no idea how far this "scammer" information goes.  


     I think it will be worth your while to untangle this but it probably will go more efficiently once you get beyond the feeling that this woman is a lunatic. I don't know her story but it is possible she has a history of being scammed which is why she spends so much effort in spotting scams. 

    I've never been scammed but my units have appeared in SCAM advertisements frequently. I'm impressed this woman has successfully gotten listings banned. I've never been successful in getting any of the SCAM advertisements removed. 


     Agree.  Someone contacted me once that my listing (all my photos and property) were on Craigslist at some dirt cheap price.  I couldn't get it banned for the life of me.  It is admirable when there is a true scammer but this goes beyond.  Any advice on how to unravel when I can't contact anyone on the original group page?

  • Cambridge, MA · Member since 2015 · 649 posts · 732 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Patricia Andriolo-Bull:
    Quote from @Carolyn Fuller:
    Quote from @Patricia Andriolo-Bull:

    Any advice on how to unravel when I can't contact anyone on the original group page?


     I don't. I wish I did. I no longer use either Facebook or Craigslist for advertising my units. I'm fortunate that my listings leased via apartments.com and SabbaticalHomes.com

  • Member since 2022 · 527 posts · 413 votes
    1y
    Quote from @John Underwood:

    Why the resistance to showing her you do own these properties? 

    If she could look it up anyway make it easy on her and get her off your back.

    Honestly, there are bad actors out there.  While I know people can get information themselves, I don't generally hand over all of my information but at this point, I think you are right.  It is crazy that some random person can hold you hostage to providing your information.  Also, she said that she doesn't know that I am who I say I am.  So even when I do provide her with the information, her message to me said that she has seen people creating fake IDs saying they are the owner.  I'm not sure she will give up but I will try.  Thanks for the input.

  • Rental Property Investor · Northern Virginia · Member since 2022 · 127 posts · 123 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Patricia Andriolo-Bull:

    I have already reached out to Facebook reporting her for harassment and to the original group she called me a scammer on (I did give the admin my addresses to validate since there are group rules about scamming)... I had my husband request membership to see if he can message the admin the correct information in that group.    

    Other thoughts?  What would you do?  I am about to run Facebook ads but I have no idea how far this "scammer" information goes.  

    Wow @Patricia Andriolo-Bull! I have never had a Facebook account, but I recently learned about the value of targeted Facebook ads, so I've been considering joining. However, this nightmare of false accusations makes me hesitant.

    My thoughts are: 1) Ideally, Facebook has genuine investigation resources to rectify the damage caused, and 2) I hope the Facebook group will accept your husband’s explanation. My initial instinct is to wait for the results of these two efforts, as your asset protection efforts seem to depend on them.

  • Member since 2022 · 527 posts · 413 votes
    1y
    Quote from @John Underwood:

    Why the resistance to showing her you do own these properties? 

    If she could look it up anyway make it easy on her and get her off your back.


     This is why I don't believe she would even believe that I am who I am.  One of her messages to me:

    "Scammers are taking the names of actual owners and posting their homes and condos as rentals as if they are the owner (but I can tell from the home description that it is most likely a scam) but it checks out when doing a search on the CC Property website. Have no idea how they do that, over my head. I then do a search for the “real owner,” and get their phone number and they are shocked when I call them."

    So she should get my phone number, as the real owner, and call me!

  • Henry ClarkPro Member
    Developer · Member since 2020 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    1y

    Start Defamation of character lawsuit also loss of income.  If you win out a lien in her house.  Post in her local communities legal section.  Let your attorney know you are real. 

  • Russell BrazilBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Agent · Washington, D.C. · Member since 2012 · 17k+ posts · 30k+ votes
    1y

    Why do you care if a crazy person on the internet calls you a scammer?

  • Member since 2022 · 527 posts · 413 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Henry Clark:

    Start Defamation of character lawsuit also loss of income.  If you win out a lien in her house.  Post in her local communities legal section.  Let your attorney know you are real. 


     Seems a little extreme.  Not sure how much I've been harmed, YET, though apparently I was banned and marked as a spammer back in April.  At this point I am trying to resolve amicably  but will look into at least a cease and desist if that doesn't work.

  • Henry ClarkPro Member
    Developer · Member since 2020 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Patricia Andriolo-Bull:
    Quote from @Henry Clark:

    Start Defamation of character lawsuit also loss of income.  If you win out a lien in her house.  Post in her local communities legal section.  Let your attorney know you are real. 


     Seems a little extreme.  Not sure how much I've been harmed, YET, though apparently I was banned and marked as a spammer back in April.  At this point I am trying to resolve amicably  but will look into at least a cease and desist if that doesn't work.


     If you don’t see a significant issue then not an issue.  

  • Member since 2022 · 527 posts · 413 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Russell Brazil:

    Why do you care if a crazy person on the internet calls you a scammer?


     They are getting me blocked from local Facebook pages and replying to all of my recent ads as "scammer".  I don't know, I like to keep my business profitable?

  • Member since 2022 · 527 posts · 413 votes
    1y
    Quote from @John Underwood:

    Why the resistance to showing her you do own these properties? 

    If she could look it up anyway make it easy on her and get her off your back.

     Thanks for the good advice.  I went back to her and gave her all my info.  She acknowledged her "mistake" in getting the address correct but blamed "scrolling" as the reason she was wrong 🙄.  She said she scrolled past my address but thought she was in the right one.  I did request that she issue an apology on the pages she posted but she would not.  She did, however, remove the "scammer" comments.  What she will not do is help me get the site that posted me as a scammer corrected so I am still working on that.  Progress.

  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    1y

    I would have told her to pound sand and/or gone after her legally. And another line of thought would say 'why do you need FaceBook so bad'. Just dump that platform....if the only way you can make money is by advertising on FB, then I'd say your business model needs some attention.

    Just my $.02.....

  • Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ and Rehoboth Beach DE · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    I'm glad you were able to resolve it. 

    I belong to one page called Vacation Scammer Bammers.  Their members do the same thing this lady is doing, look for scammers.  And the Florida groups have a lot of scammers. If this is the one that has banned you, tell me and I'll try to help.

    I'm in a group for STRs in Delaware, and we had one lady get scammed out of around 4K. When I looked into it, I saw that the STR she paid for was managed by Vacasa, yet the "owner" was answering requests from guests for bookings and taking money. Vacasa doesn't operate like that, they don't allow the owner to do that.

    I'm a member of one local STR page that vets owners by requiring they see a utility bill with the address and the owner's name. I had to do that to join.

  • Member since 2022 · 527 posts · 413 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Lauren Kormylo:

    I'm glad you were able to resolve it. 

    I belong to one page called Vacation Scammer Bammers.  Their members do the same thing this lady is doing, look for scammers.  And the Florida groups have a lot of scammers. If this is the one that has banned you, tell me and I'll try to help.

    I'm in a group for STRs in Delaware, and we had one lady get scammed out of around 4K. When I looked into it, I saw that the STR she paid for was managed by Vacasa, yet the "owner" was answering requests from guests for bookings and taking money. Vacasa doesn't operate like that, they don't allow the owner to do that.

    I'm a member of one local STR page that vets owners by requiring they see a utility bill with the address and the owner's name. I had to do that to join.


     Thank you.  All she told me was that it's a private FB scammer group and that someone posted me on April 15, 2024.  She refuses to say the name of the group.  I asked if she could kindly advocate on my behalf now that she knows I am not a scammer and she said (in another very long message), essentially no. I get it.  There are scammers out there and appreciate help getting rid of them.  What's interesting is she is now giving me more info - like she has been reprimanded already by several admins by posting false info!  So I am not the only one she has done this to.

  • Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ and Rehoboth Beach DE · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    Patricia, I searched for your name in my group, and you were reported there!  I'm sending you a PM.

  • Member since 2022 · 527 posts · 413 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Lauren Kormylo:

    Patricia, I searched for your name in my group, and you were reported there!  I'm sending you a PM.


     Wow!  Thank you!

  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    1y

    Jeez, I would have dropped the biggest hammer I could find right on her.

    I get scammers are an issue but she is not the police of STRs. I would have went right after her with an attorney and sued for defamation.

    10 million dollars in damages...

  • Member since 2022 · 527 posts · 413 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Michael Baum:

    Jeez, I would have dropped the biggest hammer I could find right on her.

    I get scammers are an issue but she is not the police of STRs. I would have went right after her with an attorney and sued for defamation.

    10 million dollars in damages...

    I end up contacting my attorney but not for the woman I first posted about - she deleted her comments.  I am now trying to get the original person that identified me as a scammer to retract her postings - along with my photo and full name.  

    Things have gone from bad to worse.  She posted that I am an oversees scammer determined by the likes on my profile.  I am Italian with most of my extended family living in Italy.  I guess that makes me suspicious.  Facebook won't allow me to report her unless I am connected with her which I cannot because she blocked me.  Their protocol says to use a friend to reach out, which I did - my husband.  She told him to not contact her again, said her husband is an attorney and that she is now reporting him to Facebook!

    Amazing!!

  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Patricia Andriolo-Bull:

    I end up contacting my attorney but not for the woman I first posted about - she deleted her comments.  I am now trying to get the original person that identified me as a scammer to retract her postings - along with my photo and full name.  

    Things have gone from bad to worse.  She posted that I am an oversees scammer determined by the likes on my profile.  I am Italian with most of my extended family living in Italy.  I guess that makes me suspicious.  Facebook won't allow me to report her unless I am connected with her which I cannot because she blocked me.  Their protocol says to use a friend to reach out, which I did - my husband.  She told him to not contact her again, said her husband is an attorney and that she is now reporting him to Facebook!

    Amazing!!

    Ok, so I would take the gloves off and hit them hard as you can. If her husband is an attorney then he should understand she is over the line.

    Make sure you file the lawsuit in your jurisdiction so she has to travel.
  • Member since 2022 · 527 posts · 413 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Michael Baum:
    Quote from @Patricia Andriolo-Bull:

    I end up contacting my attorney but not for the woman I first posted about - she deleted her comments.  I am now trying to get the original person that identified me as a scammer to retract her postings - along with my photo and full name.  

    Things have gone from bad to worse.  She posted that I am an oversees scammer determined by the likes on my profile.  I am Italian with most of my extended family living in Italy.  I guess that makes me suspicious.  Facebook won't allow me to report her unless I am connected with her which I cannot because she blocked me.  Their protocol says to use a friend to reach out, which I did - my husband.  She told him to not contact her again, said her husband is an attorney and that she is now reporting him to Facebook!

    Amazing!!

    Ok, so I would take the gloves off and hit them hard as you can. If her husband is an attorney then he should understand she is over the line.

    Make sure you file the lawsuit in your jurisdiction so she has to travel.

     We are both Collier County, she won't have to travel far!  That makes it even sadder.  We are both part of the same community.  If she did any due diligence whatsoever she would have seen that.  I teach yoga here, own a business and we likely know some of the same people - it's not a big area!

  • Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ and Rehoboth Beach DE · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    Update - Patricia and I have been working on it, and I contacted the admin of the nationwide scammer site I'm on.  And I was able to get Patricia's name taken off their master list, so yay!  Reputation on Facebook does matter.

  • Member since 2022 · 527 posts · 413 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Lauren Kormylo:

    Update - Patricia and I have been working on it, and I contacted the admin of the nationwide scammer site I'm on.  And I was able to get Patricia's name taken off their master list, so yay!  Reputation on Facebook does matter.


     You are truly amazing.  Thank you!!

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