[DarkWarriorXII]

Okay I have a dilemma. One of the members at my site (who's also probably the most active member besides me) has created 3 multiple accounts since joining.

This is good and bad. I'll start with the good. It's good because he's actually posting with those accounts. I think he's really trying to give us a kick start by posting as different identities (like admins sometimes do with new boards). He's created threads with the different identities and people have enjoyed helping them out. The latest one even fooled me until I looked up the IP address.

That's how I know they're all from the same person. All the IP addresses are the same. And all the e-mail addresses for his other accounts (except his main account) are conveniently AOL/Yahoo accounts that don't exist. For each one, the welcome e-mail bounced saying that the account doesn't exist.

So what should I do? It's not like he's making the accounts because his account is banned or anything. I think he's doing it with all good intentions. The other members he creates do post threads that stimulate activity. But then again, he is creating multiple accounts and saying he referred them (getting 100 Karma/rep points for each one). What should I do?

[+ King Kovifor]

Originally Posted By: DarkWarriorXII Okay I have a dilemma. One of the members at my site (who's also probably the most active member besides me) has created 3 multiple accounts since joining. This is good and bad. I'll start with the good. It's good because he's actually posting with those accounts. I think he's really trying to give us a kick start by posting as different identities (like admins sometimes do with new boards). He's created threads with the different identities and people have enjoyed helping them out. The latest one even fooled me until I looked up the IP address. That's how I know they're all from the same person. All the IP addresses are the same. And all the e-mail addresses for his other accounts (except his main account) are conveniently AOL/Yahoo accounts that don't exist. For each one, the welcome e-mail bounced saying that the account doesn't exist. So what should I do? It's not like he's making the accounts because his account is banned or anything. I think he's doing it with all good intentions. The other members he creates do post threads that stimulate activity. But then again, he is creating multiple accounts and saying he referred them (getting 100 Karma/rep points for each one). What should I do?

I believe that you should do three things:

1. I believe that you should ask this person, not to create multiple accounts, and if he still goes and creates more accoutns, try doing something like giving a suspension for a day for every account made AFTER you start it, or non-posting accounts.

2. If your in vBulletin, merge the accounts! Place a notice about it and give warnings. Just prove that it isn't correct to be doing this and merge them.

3. Add a rule to your global rules about "Multiple Accounts", and ONLY allow them if they are asked for one (for a good reason: Like RPG accounts). Also have the "main" account, or the first account made, suspended for 1+ week(s). Than you perminetly banning the rest of the accounts.

[DarkWarriorXII]

I currently have e-mail verification disabled. Do you think I should enable this? I noticed registration rates did go up after I disabled it, so I'd hate to enable it, but if I have to I will.

[+ King Kovifor]

Originally Posted By: DarkWarriorXII I currently have e-mail verification disabled. Do you think I should enable this? I noticed registration rates did go up after I disabled it, so I'd hate to enable it, but if I have to I will.

Ok before I do anything else, I need to figure what software you are using. Than I can thoroughly do some help, as the last post was general. If it's vBulletin, please tell me your version.

[DarkWarriorXII]

vB 3.5

[+ King Kovifor]

Ah than that totally ruins the idea I had. I was going to say, turn on Admin Validation for a while and than they won't "know" when you turn it off. And so on and so forth, but then again it is vB. I'll try to help you once I get my test vB reset up.

KK

[Hector]

Well, if he keeps on helping your forum, it aint so bad but only allow him to do so. Inform certain members of what he is doing so if they get suspicous, they know it's just him. Not much wrong there since like you said, he is posting on those accounts, raising your forums post count and member count.

[ShinLi]

If you know this member personally, you can also just ask him to stop making more accounts for the time being, and sticking with the account he now has. If you don't know him personally (like talking on msn/aim etc) you could always send him a pm. Asking him kindly to not make more accounts for the comming time, and give him your reasons why you don't want him to make more accounts. I mean, if you can't even ask someone nice anymore, then I dunno what'll happen with this world XD. Your the admin, you make the rules, and ppl should stick to those rules.

[Julian]

Whoa whoa whoa! Don't like ban or tell them to stop. Sometimes it can be a good thing when someone create's multiple accounts. I've done it on several occasions.

Just do this as a rule, make sure that his first account is very active and has at least 100 posts, after that he can create another character or account. Also if they create another account, they could at the very least try and be original, not the same person posting from a different siggie. Make sure they keep there's active, I had to create a second character on my site, because I like to stay active and I can't be an Admin posting more than my members. So I needed to post as someone else, so I can deal with problems (as admin) and stay on having fun as a member.

he is creating multiple accounts and saying he referred them

This at the very least should be handled with. He shouldn't be making it like he referred them...thats like a warning, if he continues just take his posting abilities away for a few hours.

[Andy]

Do what kivfor did and merge his accounts.If he wants to help he can still make the topics and posts just as one account.

[shellspeare]

Personally i wouldn't do anything before checking if it really is the user. AOHell ip's are the same world over and the end digits change after a refesh sometimes..
If it is the member wanting to help the community grow then their intentions are good.... what i see the problem here is why the member didnt not feel he/she could speak to you about this? Do you have good relationships to your members? Are you approachable? Do you welcome help and feedback?