# A Call for Action: Addressing Scams on Medium
Written on
Chapter 1: Acknowledging the Problem
Dear Readers,
Over the past year, I've felt more like bait for scammers than a respected writer. Nearly every day, my account is duplicated, severely impacting both my writing and mental well-being. This is no trivial matter. When new readers reach out to inform me that they've lost money due to these scams that exploit my name, it truly breaks my heart. As a writer, my words are my only power, and my goal is to raise awareness and advocate for action to combat this issue.
We can't afford to wait any longer. Medium, as a platform that champions equity, must recognize the urgency of this situation and invest in immediate solutions. In the meantime, it's crucial for both writers and readers to stay vigilant against these threats. This topic is one that cannot be discussed enough.
This satirical piece serves as a follow-up to my previous article, which some readers found insightful and shared with compassion about the integrity of our platform. Unfortunately, my stories seem to be improperly distributed, likely due to glitches, and I hope this piece reaches a wider audience.
Reading my earlier article may help clarify the motivations behind this second part. Through satire, I aim to underscore the absurdity of our current circumstances and the toll it takes on writers, readers, and the platform itself. To better grasp the situation, I’ve linked my previous stories at the end for further context.
Section 1.1: A Moment of Reflection
Dear Support Staff,
Congratulations on surpassing the milestone of one million paid subscribers! What an impressive achievement! However, amidst this celebration, it may be wise to reflect on the challenges many of us face as writers dealing with an influx of scams.
While you celebrate your success, please consider the struggles of writers like myself, who endure constant harassment from scammers and spam inundating our accounts. A gentle nudge toward empathy would be appreciated.
Recently, a new reader, unfortunately scammed, reached out after paying $150 to join my writing club—promoted through Medium. How do we break the news to this unsuspecting individual that they essentially paid for nothing more than a fleeting glimpse of our literary works? They trust you as a reputable platform, and they trust me as a writer, yet we let them down.
Your commitment to diversity and inclusion is commendable, but it seems to exclude the scammers who are hell-bent on turning this platform into a den of deceit. Their brand of inclusion is indeed limitless!
Even after I’ve endured countless duplications and penned an open letter to scammers expressing my distress, your system continues to allow these imposters to operate under my name and likeness, spamming my stories.
Instead of addressing this issue with a simple piece of code to prevent identical names—something you've successfully implemented for publication names—you've effectively placed me in a distribution limbo.
Section 1.2: The Consequences of Inaction
Allow me to share some insight from a thoughtful reader, Dr. Ali Hechmi Raddaoui, a Fulbright Scholar and professor. He highlighted why scammers exploit my account and deceive my readers into parting with their hard-earned money. It's heartbreaking to realize that I’ve become an unwitting pawn in their schemes.
Many paid Medium members have fallen victim to scams facilitated through your platform, leading to significant financial losses. What steps will you take to rectify this situation and restore the tarnished reputation of both myself and the broader Medium community?
When will you finally acknowledge and put an end to this exploitation? The damage to my reputation and the trust of my readers is immeasurable.
Currently, many of my readers are unable to see my stories in their feeds because your system has demoted my account, likely due to false reports or blocks.
Fantastic job for this double whammy!
Your apparent care for writers deserves applause.
Chapter 2: The Ripple Effect of Scams
A recent message from a scammed member illustrates the impact of your platform’s negligence. I stumbled upon her experience, which exemplifies the pain caused by your outdated algorithm that censors terms like "scam." Are you attempting to sweep this issue under the rug?
As shown in her message, my Medium profile is being misused as a coach for a fraudulent company through your platform. It’s your responsibility to prevent this, as writers lack any administrative power to combat such actions.
I escalated this issue to you a week ago, but my cries for help fell on deaf ears. There has been no compensation for my losses, nor a word of apology for the devastation of my hard-earned reputation or the erosion of my loyal audience.
Bravo, Support Staff!
Your efforts have truly been commendable!
Each cloned account feels like a dagger to my heart, casting a shadow over my once-bright reputation. It’s as if my reflection has come alive to mock my endeavors, dragging my name through the mud.
My recent article about Design Thinking has been buried under spam, garnering no views from your one million paying members because your algorithm has decided to halt its distribution.
Bravo, Support Staff!
Last year, a similar article reached thousands of readers. I sincerely hope your system eventually recognizes the value of this new piece, allowing it to reach an audience that would appreciate it.
It feels akin to having a precious gem locked away, unseen by those who would truly value its beauty.
Epilogue: The Path Forward
I have much more to say about this anguish, but I find myself running out of satirical energy because the pain is all too real. As ancient wisdom teaches us, we reap what we sow.
New readers now perceive me as a scammer trying to sell them dubious products, questioning why they should connect with me on WhatsApp—an app I don’t even use—thanks to your platform becoming a marketplace for illegal transactions.
This reality is painful, and the situation resembles a malignant growth. When will you awaken and halt these illegal activities on a platform designed for genuine storytelling?
As highlighted by the experience of Charisse Tyson, another paying member who felt the sting of being scammed, the suffering is not limited to the victims alone. The true victims are those of us who have become unwilling bait. Your platform is inflicting unbearable pain and ignoring the consequences.
Bravo, Support Staff! Your neglect of the integrity of this platform deserves a standing ovation. Thank you for once again fueling the fire by allowing scammers free rein.
Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts, dear readers. I wish you all health and happiness.
And thank you, Medium Staff and Support, for your prompt attention to the issues with my account and for safeguarding it against scammers. Despite the challenges, I appreciate your efforts to resolve this matter strategically.
Through all the anguish I face, I hold this platform and its vibrant community close to my heart. I continue to share meaningful words, despite the obstacles.
I recognize the challenges you face in running such a complex platform. I acknowledged this previously when you were tackling fraudulent activities, and I stood by you despite losing valued members.
For now, the best course of action for writers and readers is to block scam accounts when alerted. This can help prevent further harm.
If you missed the context for this satirical piece, feel free to review my earlier articles written in plain language. Let’s all remain vigilant and guard against these sophisticated scams.
To inform my new readers, I've penned numerous articles that may enlighten and inspire. Topics include mental health, nutrition, self-healing, and valuable life lessons from my experiences.
I publish health and wellness stories on EUPHORIA and share condensed versions on SUBSTACK. Please note that my posts do not constitute professional health advice; they simply reflect my observations and experiences to inform and raise awareness.
Writers are welcome to join my publications by sending a request via this link. I support over 30,000 writers contributing to my publications on this platform. I also have another profile dedicated to tech stories.
The Importance of Community on Medium for Writers and Readers