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Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem

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Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem

#201

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Thank you for the recommendation! I'm having trouble phrasing a warning in a way that's clear to a scam victim, without seeming weird or off-putting to business contacts. It's somewhat upsetting to think about this too much, which may be why I'm struggling. Would you mind suggesting how to word it?

> Would you mind suggesting how to word it? Here’s a first draft: NOTICE: It has recently come to my attention that someone is impersonating me, by using my name and photos, to take advantage of people on some social apps. If you saw my profile on a dating app or similar service, it isn't me. I'm not on any of those platforms. Thank you and please stay safe. edit: removed scare quotes

Thank you, I really appreciate your help with this.

Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem

#202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Refusing to be on web cam without a compelling reason is a huge red flag by itself.

I've worked with clients in the past who have never seen my face in video. Had years long relationships with some of them without ever having seen each other on webcam, and it worked out great on both of our ends.

But would you have refused to talk to them on video once for verification purposes?

Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem

#203

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've worked with clients in the past who have never seen my face in video. Had years long relationships with some of them without ever having seen each other on webcam, and it worked out great on both of our ends.

But would you have refused to talk to them on video once for verification purposes?

I would have made it clear that I'd rather not be inconvenienced, and I would also find it insulting that my identity was in question given the publicizing I've done, the publication of my work, how I feel about the quality of my work for said clients and the existing positive relationships with the clients.

Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem

#204
post #143

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ok, gotcha: upthread, meaning, like, "post prior to this one, under same triangle". I'm outta date on lingo. Maybe "GP"? I see that on Reddit to mean grandparent post.

Okay, I didn't think "upthread" was so specific. But you were the one who introduced the word "rationality". It implies ethical behavior is somehow irrational. I don't believe it is.

I understand your focus here, I assume you put quotes around it because it's not being used in it's technical sense and you'd like me to admit I know that. I do

To ease your mind, let's keep the quotes and say I'm from Mars and don't share your definition of rationality, I'm using it wrong, but you want to avoid coming to a shared definition in order to have conversation without derailing:

it would be highly "irrational" to adopt this viewpoint given no code would ever be delivered if everyone adopted it. "Unstable equilibrium", in "game theory" sense. Everyone "can't" do it, but everyone "should" do it

(note airquotes again, don't want to come across as being a jerk and writing a book in response in order to be technically correct, could look patronizing since I think you understand the point)

Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem

#205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We’re not talking unconscious bias silliness here. We’re talking about literal fraud/misrepresentation and needing verification that someone is who they claim to be. Using our eyebulbs isn’t inherently problematic.

"unconscious bias silliness" so you're telling me that an interviewer is just as likely to hire someone who has visible issues sitting still/focusing on a video call as they are someone who sits perfectly still and gives their full 100% attention to the call? No, not a chance. When there are two candidates for a position at approximately equal skill levels when performing a video interview but one has ADHD that comes…

I think you're misunderstanding them. You two are basically discussing two (very important) topics.

On the topic of fraud prevention, the interviewer could simply ask the interviewee to be on camera for literally 5 seconds, then feel free to turn off video.

Again, this is based on an Upwork profile that already had a picture, so if discrimination was going to happen, it would be before the video interview stage anyway. This is just about a verification step, and in a platform like Upwork, refusing to be on camera for LITERALLY 5 seconds probably SHOULD be considered a big red flag.

Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem

#207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Refusing to be on web cam without a compelling reason is a huge red flag by itself.

I worked a job for 3 years and never once turned on my camera. It worked out great. I even had my webcam off for my going away party.

> I worked a job for 3 years and never once turned on my camera. It worked out great. I even had my webcam off for my going away party.

But that's not quite the same as interviewing with the webcam off.

Re: Tell HN: Upwork has an impersonation problem

#208

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Quoted post unavailable.

Congrats, you're the problem.

> Congrats, you're the problem.

You're agreeing with him. He is making the judgement that actions such as his is a problem, and then he makes the point that there is no feedback to prevent such actions.

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