Watch out for predators
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SurferGirl1982 wrote: »You can Block them in the DM function, unfriend them after blocking them, set them to "Ignore" in the Community. That may not be all of the effects you might hope for, but it seems like it's some of them.
Doing that stuff without reporting their bad behavior to MFP just leaves them free to bother other users.
@AnnPT77 I actually joined MFP to just log my food and weight, etc. I'm not much of a social media person. I only have one friend on my friend's list and it is someone that was in a discussion I was involved with for a while. After posting for months, she sent me a friend request and I accepted. Other than that I've always declined friend requests.
I really don't know what the DM function is...I don't even have a Facebook account. After getting a few unwanted friend requests on MFP, I set my profile to private (I think). If I have anymore problems, I will try to report them to MFP.
I really appreciate all of your help. If you need your OS updated or hard-drive replaced, I'm your gal 😀 But, the social media thing is a bit over my head
I think I'll just go back to logging *LOL*
@SurferGirl1982 - profile is showing. There are different settings in the private tracking area and in the public forums.
I use android, may be different for IOS, To change in the public area, click on your pic, go to profile, click on the blue head to edit profile and uncheck public profile.
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Like clockwork.chris_in_cal wrote: »I don't want to be constantly pursued here by a user who comments on nearly everything I write.
You can Block them in the DM function, unfriend them after blocking them, set them to "Ignore" in the Community. That may not be all of the effects you might hope for, but it seems like it's some of them.
Doing that stuff without reporting their bad behavior to MFP just leaves them free to bother other users.1 -
@Adventurista I'm using the web version due to eyesight problems. But, I actually found what you were talking about. I did set it to not show my profile publicly.
To be honest, I really don't mind anyone knowing a little bit about me. In fact, I like others knowing my general location, etc. But, I thought it might stop the friends requests. If not, I just won't accept them. Thanks!1 -
I am glad you got some guidance. There are a lot of great tools here for logging your food and activities. Also finding some peers who are going through similar issues is one of the best parts. Be well.SurferGirl1982 wrote: »
To be honest, I really don't mind anyone knowing a little bit about me. In fact, I like others knowing my general location, etc. But, I thought it might stop the friends requests. If not, I just won't accept them. Thanks!1 -
@SurferGirl1982 - profile no longer showing. Success!
I use the desktop a lot too, much easier for a lot of things.3 -
Thanks @chris_in_cal! Being somewhat new, things can sometimes be a bit confusing. But, I'm learning! I have met some really nice people here.
And @Adventurista Thank you for your help! Glad to know that I actually did it right 🙂
Take care everyone!3 -
I think just about my whole friend list is these dudes 😅3
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@PaulaWallaDingDong If you haven't interacted with any of these men in any forum discussions, they probably are up to no good. Why would they send a friend request if you've never engaged with them in a conversation?
One thing that I've noticed is that it seems like the same man's photo was stolen and keeps coming up with different user names. One member mentioned that if they're holding a puppy or kitten (the man in the picture is most likely real), but, the scammers figure those types of images will make women think that they are a caring, loving person. But a lot of times the person posting is not the person in the profile picture.
But, there's nothing to be worried about as long as you don't give them any personal information.
I would probably go through your friend's list and delete anyone that's not a regular member of a group or discussion that your following.
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While its not a fool proof method? Most predators fall into 2 groups. Looking to hook up or AI generated. I require a personal message (a few lines of intent or background) to accept. When I get a FR I send a quick polite note saying so. Maybe this will help someone.2
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LeeDahlen38 wrote: »While its not a fool proof method? Most predators fall into 2 groups. Looking to hook up or AI generated. I require a personal message (a few lines of intent or background) to accept. When I get a FR I send a quick polite note saying so. Maybe this will help someone.
People you’ve not already accepted as a friend can’t message you.
MFP blocked the ability to message random members several years ago, due to a pornbot attack. But, being MFP, they never updated the ability to make it look like you could. 🙄
You can send a message, and it will give every indication it’s gone through, but the recipient will not receive it unless they’ve already accepted your friend request.
And for the record, it was me mentioning profile pics and I said to avoid those of men with puppies and kittens. I never said those were real requests. Scammers will do anything they can to get into your inbox, and do so by lowering your defenses with photos of a handsome or buff guy, a guy with animals, in uniform, or in a business setting (I get ones from different user IDs by a scammer using a photo of a bunch of guys leaning over a desk with serious expressions. )1 -
Really? That's a shame. I don't do the friends thing here, and every time I've received a FR I've sent them a msg saying that's why I'm not accepting, no offense. And they haven't been sent? Well that's unfortunate. I understand not being able to PM non-friends, but that seems an oversight if it includes people who've sent you FR.springlering62 wrote: »MFP blocked the ability to message random members several years ago, due to a pornbot attack. But, being MFP, they never updated the ability to make it look like you could. 🙄
You can send a message, and it will give every indication it’s gone through, but the recipient will not receive it unless they’ve already accepted your friend request.
And for the record, it was me mentioning profile pics and I said to avoid those of men with puppies and kittens.
Note my own profile pic
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Retroguy2000 wrote: »
Note my own profile pic
I’d be wildly suspicious if it was your muscular self + the kitty.
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These avatar pics are too small for me *and* my chonker cat.springlering62 wrote: »I’d be wildly suspicious if it was your muscular self + the kitty.
OK, maybe she's not chonker status to be fair. She does love to eat though. Probably a side effect from before we got her from the shelter. And before anyone says just limit the food, our other cat is older and a grazer with his food, so we can't have him going without.4 -
For the record, I'm a real guy (my wife says so), and I have sent out maybe 3 FR's in the 15+ years I've been here.
We do exist. 😎8 -
EveryDayisDay01 wrote: »
Don’t let scammers or flirty “others” ruin it for you.
I am a real woman, and I get friend requests as well as send them. I only very recently began accepting them if it is someone I’ve seen in the forums and sending them if I feel we have similar interests and goals.
I have personally only seen one scammer, and find them pretty easy to spot when they send a message. I simply don’t respond.
I find the messaging useful to share knowledge and support. Hopefully at some point, MFP will dial in the app a little better. I find great value in tracking my day here, as does my coach. I am also looking to get my PT Cert and enjoy reading about others cert experiences.
Feel free to send a request if you feel we are like minded, working towards similar goals and/or can support each other or share information. Sometimes just seeing what others are eating is a huge help.
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LMAO. They’ve really upped their game.2
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springlering62 wrote: »People you’ve not already accepted as a friend can’t message you
Is this accurate? Didn't we go through the drill where I sent you a direct message, and we aren't "MFP Friends" and you got my message?
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EveryDayisDay01 wrote: »
For instance ( @springlering62 ) how would @Heidijjo get this message if @Heidijjo wasn't already an "MFP Friend" with @ch_risjons?
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Retroguy2000 wrote: »These avatar pics are too small for me *and* my chonker cat.
OK, maybe she's not chonker status to be fair. She does love to eat though. Probably a side effect from before we got her from the shelter. And before anyone says just limit the food, our other cat is older and a grazer with his food, so we can't have him going without.
@Retroguy2000 I guess it seems that we're being unfair to you guys. I know the majority of you are legit. We have a guy in one of the discussions that I follow that has been in the group before I was. And, I'm familiar with the others.
I've never received a friend request with a message. But, I'm pretty sure that a few of them where the same profile pic with a different username. I just decline the FR.
My cat was a bit overweight herself. The vet put her on a diet and she did lose weight. Last August, we brought her to the vet for her annual checkup (she was 16 at the time, now 17). I know, some are going to say, "You bring your cat in for an annual?" But, we do. The vet was concerned because she had lost three pounds. So, the vet did some lab work. It turned out she had hyperthyroidism. She's now on a transdermal med that we have to apply to her earflap twice a day. At first, she didn't like it. But, she's gotten used to it. At her follow-up, her numbers were in the normal range and she had gained .31 pounds. It may not seem like much, but the vet was happy. Personally, I think she's at about the right weight. The first two pics are the fat pics and the last one is just recent.
My cat is also a grazer. Your cat looks cute!
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Ah, so cute. A timeline cleanser. Thanks.SurferGirl1982 wrote: »Personally, I think she's at about the right weight. The first two pics are the fat pics and the last one is just recent.2 -
It's all good. I wasn't offended in any way.SurferGirl1982 wrote: »Retroguy2000 I guess it seems that we're being unfair to you guys. I know the majority of you are legit.
That's a very cute cat.2 -
@Retroguy2000 Thanks! She's our baby!0
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Well. I've had 50-50 success at sending and receiving direct messages to and from non friends. Not talking friend requests here but just messages. Sometimes it has worked when messaging older accounts. Sometimes it hasn't.
I admit to not even looking at friend requests the past few years especially given that I started logging on another platform after the late 2020, apparently temporary, decision to limit meal history to one year for non premium.
The friend wall was a bit hard to keep up with but a good tool to get one to stay in the game and to exchange ideas3 -
chris_in_cal wrote: »EveryDayisDay01 wrote: »
For instance ( @springlering62 ) how would @Heidijjo get this message if @Heidijjo wasn't already an "MFP Friend" with @ch_risjons?
I don’t know who that is. The pic in my comment is a quote from the original post.0 -
SurferGirl1982 wrote: »Last August, we brought her to the vet for her annual checkup (she was 16 at the time, now 17). The vet was concerned because she had lost three pounds. So, the vet did some lab work. It turned out she had hyperthyroidism. She's now on a transdermal med that we have to apply to her earflap twice a day. At first, she didn't like it. But, she's gotten used to it. At her follow-up, her numbers were in the normal range and she had gained .31 pounds. It may not seem like much, but the vet was happy.
We took our cat (age 13? 14?) to the vet after we'd noticed he'd lost a lot of weight rapidly. Turns out he had developed diabetes, and we now have to give him a twice daily shot of insulin. The results were very fast, gaining almost a pound back (after losing three) in just a couple weeks.
All my cats have always been grazers, makes it difficult to control the diet of any one without doing it to all of them.1 -
@nossmf I was always afraid of her developing diabetes. My neighbor had a small dog that developed it. Her son would come over to give him his shots everyday.
Hindsight is 20/20. But, if I have any new pet additions to the family, I will have bloodwork done starting much earlier (probably around 8). I just didn't want to put her through that. But, it's better to know than not.
She's doing very well now. I think she actually looks forward to getting her meds because she gets a treat afterwards. She likes Fancy Feast Salmon and Whitefish broths. That's not her normal food, but just a treat. She laps them up like a Labrador (but she doesn't eat much of the solid, just the broth). She actually comes out about med time because she wants that treat. I should have never bought her that wristwatch *LOL*3 -
Our cats don’t graze, but woe be unto us, if they are not fed by 6 am and 6 pm. One will scream her displeasure. The other will climb into bed, sit on your face, and once he gets you up, headbutt your shins until his plate hits the ground.
We joke that they are like Jack Spratt and his wife. One only likes the gravy, the other only likes the solids.
And they both eat only only one type of wet fish cat food. It was rough during the pandemic. We were adding water, and dishing out one flake of fish at a time.
We figure the fish thing is because they are from (long story) Flensburg, which is the narrow isthmus connecting Germany and Denmark. I guess fish was the order of the day for generations of cats there.
Cats as thread cleansers. I like that, @chris_in_cal
Love the cat pics!
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I feel like we need a separate cat thread for those of us that don’t have cats to admire them 😀2
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claireychn074 wrote: »I feel like we need a separate cat thread for those of us that don’t have cats to admire them 😀
Agreed! I admire my daughter’s cats. I’m allergic but have been considering a sphinx.1 -
That might not help if you're allergic to the dander. 🥲 I'm allergic to all the dogs that are supposed to be hypoallergenic and don't shed, but not labs because they have a thick undercoat that keeps the dander close to their skin.2
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