Collection of "identifying" information helps make for a better community experience

[WhoaTed]

We collect "personally identifying information" at the time of registration. This includes full name and address. You should not let this practice deter you from registering, and you should not be concerned. In fact, it provides a safer environment for you. This information is not displayed, this information is not shared, this information stays private. PERIOD.

There are two very specific exceptions:

- Your city and state are displayed in the forums, but NO OTHER PART of the address.

- Name and address information will ONLY be provided upon proper request by a U.S. Law Enforcement Agency (ie: upon subpoena).

There are two very specific reasons why such information is collected:

- We believe this helps build a sense of community.

- We believe this contributes to a safer trading environment for The Classified Ads Section.

The collection of such information is not all that common among typical automotive forums, but, it was done at the previous generation DSMtrader.com. Users of the previous generation DSMtrader.com did, from time-to-time, request this identifying information regarding other users. These requests were NEVER honored. No personally identifying information was ever provided to other users.

Then what good is collecting it you may ask. As mentioned, this information will be provided upon proper request by a U.S. Law Enforcement Agency (ie: upon subpoena). Subpoenas were in fact issued to DSMtrader.com by U.S Law Enforcement, and they were happily complied with. The end-outcome of such investigations are typically not known. However, there was at least one well-publicized incident, published in a newspaper and posted in their online edition, of a scammer being arrested. DSMtrader.com was specifically mentioned in the article as one of the places were the alleged perpetrator sought his victim(s). One less [alleged] criminal on the streets.

There are no guarantees that users will always enter factual data. But we will have an ongoing effort of permanently banning accounts when we believe information to be false. Reasons for believing information is false may be varied... from obviously fictitious information, to IPs not matching stated locations, etc. These determinations are at our sole discretion.

Since we have an existing database of users that existed prior to this policy, existing account holders may not have provided this information. We will, in the coming weeks, make an effort to inform users of the requirement. Eventually, accounts without such information will be banned. Users that know up-front that they do not want to provide this information and do not want to be a part of the DSMsource community, may ask for their account to be closed.

We think you will agree, that collecting this information, preventing "bots" from registering by using image verification, disallowing use of the Classifieds Section by non-USA and non-Canada members, providing discussion forums where you can get to know your fellow community member, the addition of a member feedback/rating system currently being tested in the Classified Ads Section, ALL help to make for a safer environment.