Fishing 800notes to learn our identities

The thread <https://800notes.com/forum/ta-50617d85c0dd41c ... 038688345961420> is a rambling, insulting, and provocative post which appears to have the sole purpose of taunting the users here into sending emails to the address CEO@[removed].  

It is a little reminiscent of the "What is the purpose of this site" post a while back, although the goals and methods are different. I'd love to know if the IP of the two OPs are the same or similar.

A little research shows that the domain 1800who.com appears to have been created specifically for this posting, with the creator paying for both the domain and a proxy service.  This domain was created only two days ago.  

I believe this was an attempt to learn more about the users here, with the intent of leveraging IP addresses into possible identities.

Be careful folks, they're inept, but even a blind hog will get an acorn every now and then.

For a moment I thought this was about a different set of comments. Mister "CEO" offers a "legitimate answer", but that rabbit warren of text is so unfocused I don't know what question is being raised before the author gives himself an equally mystifying "hear hear" seven minutes later. Your attention to homework is appreciated, LS.

So the other suspect comments began thirteen minutes after the "CEO" rant. Three forum threads with recent discussion of fake payday loan collectors have supposed news media inquiries from a "Teri". In order of appearance:

https://800notes.com/forum/ta-504e55839eb237c/888-323-5791
https://800notes.com/forum/ta-2df2ab23cb8a923-23/pay-day-loan-debt-scam
https://800notes.com/forum/ta-4f7d326029dcf9d ... lectors-finally

The commentor gives a last name only once, does not provide any point of contact, and each time makes a call to action requesting contact data from persons receiving replies. Either she's failed to realize how a forum full of skeptics works, or .... [pause for tension] ..... IT'S A TRAP!

ABC does apparently have a senior producer named Teri Whitcraft who has been part of a "Law & Justice Unit". The parts fit together, but I have my reasons not to trust what they make.

Good point Res,

I hand wondered about those posts, but hadn't really looked into them.  There are a number of "Teri" posts on different threads now.  I am willing to think they may be legitimate, but you are right, there is a worrying lack of details.  

If someone offers up information on the thread(s) in question, we can certainly work out if the requests for it are legit or not.  I would like to see Teri post some bonafides however.  Maybe I will go ask her for them.

If need be, I have lots of disposable phone numbers, on and offshore I could use to call ABC.  Hopefully folks will be cautious.  I am starting to miss the days when the site was less "popular" with the opposition ;) .

Teri@ABC should be real.

Ms. Whitcraft is making the rounds of those threads as I write. So far so good as far as alleviating our concerns. She says:

"You can email me at teriabc@gmail.com ....
I look forward to hearing from you and other victims of this scam - particularly those who have been threatened and frightened into paying off a debt they did not owe.  I'd love to find out where in India these calls are coming from!"

If Teri was emailing from abc.com, abcnews.com or go.com, she would be legit - but since she uses a gmail address...

Admittedly, the Gmail address raises flags.    Has anyone contacted ABC News to confirm if "Teri " is legit?    I went to ABCNEWS.GO.COM to ask, but they want  so much personal information  before they will let you ask a question (restricted to 500 characters)  I backed off.   Don't need no SLAPP suits.

We verified the identity of this user. She is indeed from ABC.

I suggest when if you contact her, double check - ask for the corporate email address/phone number. It's just not wise to post email addresses you value on a public board.

I had allowed for the possibility that the Gmail address was for some reason better suited for project management ... and/or did not risk exposure of a valuable corpo address to the wild. This is frankly what any of us might do if we're cautious.

Well, I contacted Ms. Whitcraft on Saturday night by a different route than publicized. She made a friendly reply this morning confirming her identity and purpose. I get the sense she has not been properly introduced to message forum culture but is willing to learn. I think we should for once lower our shields and listen if she returns.