Fake Accounts Following Real Users

1. 73

   GeorgeXuposted 5 years ago

   I see that there are fake accounts that follow real users. What is their reason for doing so?
   
   Not really an issue for me but some one recently followed me and I checked their account only to find them empty. Their activity was following similar empty profiles created recently which made my suspicion raised.
   
   Addendum: This account in question: https://hubpages.com/@katiebl220
   (Check their activity to see other similar empty accounts)

   replyreport
2. 85

   FatFreddysCatposted 5 years ago

   Either a spammer or a potential article thief (or both). Report them (I did).

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   1. 85

      FatFreddysCatposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      ...aaaaaaaand he/she/it is buh-buh-buh-banned!

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3. 85

   FatFreddysCatposted 5 years ago

   Yo, Powers That Be, here's another one
   
   https://hubpages.com/@stive10
   
   No articles, but following 400+ people. "About" section of his/her/its profile is an advert offering "social media services" or some such jibba-jabba.

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   1. 91

      lobobrandonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      You've got to admit that the person is extremely efficient in following people. The number of follows per minute impresses me.

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      1. 93

         ziyenaposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         lol!

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   2. 93

      ziyenaposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      This one friended me as well … reported for review

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   3. 85

      FatFreddysCatposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      This guy/gal/bot  (whatever it may be) is now following 546 people. Still hasn't posted an article or made a forum post. Nah, that's not too fishy.

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   4. 85

      FatFreddysCatposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      This guy is now following 1600+ users. Still no articles or forum posts.
      
      Are the Powers That Be ignoring it, or are they gonna let 'em set some kind of "following" record first before banning him/her/it?

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      1. 89

         theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         I've flagged him as a spammer - see the About on his profile. It's an advert.

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         1. 85

            FatFreddysCatposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            I've done the same, several times. Still hangin' in there though!

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            1. 97

               Dean Traylorposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               Flagged him, as well. I guess more people that flag these sites will alert admin about the situation.

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      2. 85

         FatFreddysCatposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Now following 1700+ users.
         
         How many times we gotta flag this dude before the Powers That Be push the button on him??

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         1. 91

            Lovelli Fuadposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            Reaching 1800s when our guy started following my profile.

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            1. 85

               FatFreddysCatposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               Now over 1900!

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               1. 85

                  FatFreddysCatposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                  Our boy is now "following" over 2100 users. I've given up flagging his profile. He must have blackmail photos of the HP Powers That Be.

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                  1. 85

                     FatFreddysCatposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                     That dude is FINALLY banned! Better late than never, I guess.

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                     1. 99

                        chef-de-jourposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                        FFS At Last!!

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4. 73

   GeorgeXuposted 5 years ago

   Btw, how did you report the user?
   I can only see a Report button on hubs but not for users

   replyreport
   1. 89

      theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Go to their profile. You'll see a Report link, top right.

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      1. 73

         GeorgeXuposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         OH, I see it. Thanks!

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5. 91

   Lovelli Fuadposted 5 years ago

   What about an account with no articles, one forum post, only following 1 person ex: https://hubpages.com/@salvationzeal. Should I report my follower?

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   1. 89

      theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      No. Unless you can identify their post as spam. They may have only joined in order to post. or to follow you.
      
      They've already gone.

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      1. 91

         Lovelli Fuadposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you theraggededge for replying. I did not report. But I do have a history of repeat followers to monitor. Yikes.

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         1. 89

            theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            Why worry about it? No need to monitor them. They cannot affect you and you don't have to approve their comments

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            1. 91

               Lovelli Fuadposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               Personal reasons.
               
               But aside from my personality, HP FAQs also says that "Your followers may also be more likely to submit your article to social sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Google+, which could potentially send your traffic through the roof." So if I can, I would like to have a meaningful relationship with my followers so that the potential of sending my traffic to the roof increases...
               
               I can't wait to see the roof.

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               1. 91

                  lobobrandonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                  I've seen the roof. It's pretty low.

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                  1. 89

                     theraggededgeposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                     Yep, and that Facebook traffic is very transient. Lovely, but over in the blink of an eye. Google is where it's at.

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                     1. 91

                        lobobrandonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                        Yup, slow and steady wins the race.

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                        1. 91

                           Lovelli Fuadposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                           Thank you yuppers!

                           replyreport
6. 88

   Lady Loreleiposted 5 years ago

   I also have a few of these but have not reported any. I guess I should as the scammers sure like to copy articles. It never stops.

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7. 98

   Rupert Taylorposted 5 years ago

   I'm disappointed he hasn't followed me. He probably likes rutabagas. That must be the explanation.

   replyreport
   1. 98

      DrMark1961posted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Anti-Canadian? (Now there is not one you hear very often.)

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   2. 85

      FatFreddysCatposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Haters gonna hate, rutabagas gonna rutabate.

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      1. 98

         DrMark1961posted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Is that a quote from the philosopher Eminem?

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         1. 85

            FatFreddysCatposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            Pfffft. Eminem wishes he had my skillz. I taught him everything he knows.

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