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Today’s group project: We need to nip this fraud in the bud

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Illinois

* Somebody has set up a fake Oswego Willy Facebook account. This is so not cool.

So, please, click here. Then click on the “…” next to the “Message box and click “Report”…

Then click “Report this account,” and then click either “This timeline is pretending to be me or someone I know,” or “This is a fake account.” Then complete the process.

Thanks!

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:26 am

Comments

DONE!

Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:29 am
It’s probably ck.

Comment by Flynn's Mom Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:31 am
But does anyone actually “know” Oswego Willy? I wouldn’t want to do something fraudulent to in order to stop something that I am not even totally sure is fraudulent.

Comment by Curious Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:31 am
But . . . but. . . Leslie Munger and Christine Rodongo have already friended this account!!

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:34 am
Done. Thanks for the heads up on this.

Comment by Aldyth Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:34 am
That Tinder account is legit though, right?

Comment by LizPhairTax Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:34 am
George Sande, are you in?

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:34 am
Done, My “community” service for the day…

Comment by Mouthy Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:36 am
Done.

Comment by West Sider Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:36 am
==So, please, click here. Then click on the “…” next to the “Message box and click “Report”…==
Rich, I tried twice, but the “…” next to the “Message box & “Report” are no where to be found.

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:36 am
Looks like fake Oswego Willy’s friends are all Republicans.

Comment by Always right Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:36 am
done

Comment by cdog Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:37 am
IIRC, this isn’t the first digital hazing of Cap Fax. Now somebody feels threatened enough by one of its regular commenters to put up a fake FB page? That’s equally weird and sad/pathetic.

Whoever did this is a total loser with way too much time on their hands. Although I suppose Willy should be flattered. He obviously has some fans who think enough of him to cyber-stalk him, amiright?

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:37 am
Lol. A fake account for a pseudonymous blogger?! Oh, the irony never stops.

Comment by Georg Sande Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:38 am
For a fake Oswego Willy, he sure has a lot of real friends, including the mayor of Joliet, 2 Kendall County board members, and state rep John “1/2″ Anthony.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:39 am
Done. Real or not, anything that leads Willy to spend time away from here is not to be sanctioned.

Comment by Century Club Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:39 am
Mama, try logging in.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:39 am
Done and glad I could help.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:40 am
@Mama
Do you see a box with 3 periods in it immediately to the right of the message box? That box will open a menu where you can select the appropriate choice. (I am viewing in a browser not a phone so it may be a little different for you.)

Comment by #5 Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:40 am
Probably one of the Trolls that set this up!

DONE

Comment by illini Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:43 am
Perhaps we should get Jim Ardis to help.

Comment by Timmeh Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:43 am
Poke

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:46 am
I searched for it but I think it might already be down. I couldn’t find it. Nice direct action folks!

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:47 am
- curious -,

It’s not my Facebook.

I would feel awful to learn if those thinking its me are trying to either get responses, of worse, getting responses thinking it is me and allegedly speaking for me.

That’s not cool.

Thanks to all that have reported the page. Crazy times.

To those thinking it is my page, it’s not, and I’m sorry if there was correspondence.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:48 am
Done

Comment by Bootleg Carhartt Designer Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:48 am
Done.

Though I wanted to pick the option “celebrity” when asked who I thought the fb was impersonating…

On the bright side OW can take this as getting under someone’s skin with his analysis.

I don’t always agree with OW says but I read every post. Because he, more than most, tries to look through the style and fluff and into the meat of the issue. A true deconstructionist. (Ironically he might not consider himself as such.)

Comment by There is power in a union... Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:50 am
I hope this works soon.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:50 am
=== - Always right - Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:36 am:

Looks like fake Oswego Willy’s friends are all Republicans. ===

Now I know it’s fake.

Comment by Birdseed Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:51 am
Wish I could help, but one must have a Facebook account to do so.

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:53 am
Apparently someone that OW got the best of and who’s own twisted motto became:
“Rejections have consequences”

Comment by Mouthy Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 9:55 am
Done!

Comment by Agricola Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:01 am
I did my part. The perpetrator is a grass bowl.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:01 am
==Whoever did this is a total loser with way too much time on their hands. ==

As opposed to the real OW, who is obviously an extremely busy winner.

Comment by SES Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:02 am
OK - I confess - I didn’t do it.

Rauner has united OW, Wordslinger and I for the first time in our 15 years as bloggers. We all mutually find him, umm…”lacking”.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:02 am
Done

Comment by Spliff Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:05 am
Sorry, I’m with JoanP @ 9:53 am.

Comment by cover Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:07 am
Done.

Philosophy QOTDs

Aren’t we all ==fake== accounts and also ==real== accounts? Can you parody a parody? If a budget falls in the forest and no one is around to see it, did the budget ever really exist?

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:09 am
Is “Oswego Willy” copyrighted? If not, nicknames may be tough to eliminate. Does the REAL Oswego Willy have a FACEBOOK account? It would make an interesting visit!

I guess if this scammer really wanted to do this, they could start a Facebook page as “Bizarro Oswego Willy” where the posts are logical, reflecting of Republican conservative values, and put the best interests of the citizens over those of the union special interests and the anti-Rauner crowd.

Wouldn’t THAT be scary!

Comment by Arizona Bob Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:14 am
Honeybear - if you click the link at the beginning of this thread you will find that it is still up. I did a google search and it is still showing as well.

Comment by illini Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:15 am
Rich, I logged into Facebook. “Do you see a box with 3 periods in it immediately to the right of the message box? That box will open a menu where you can select the appropriate choice.” #5 - the answer to your question is No.

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:23 am
Done.

Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:24 am
Done!

Comment by Tuesday's Pizza Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:24 am
@Mama
What are you using to view the page?

Comment by #5 Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:25 am
=== But does anyone actually “know” Oswego Willy? I wouldn’t want to do something fraudulent to in order to stop something that I am not even totally sure is fraudulent. ===

Let’s trust that Rich isn’t going to devote a whole post to this based on a hunch; I’m sure he vetted it with OW.

Comment by Just Observing Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:26 am
Done. Will the real Oswego Willy stand up, please?

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:28 am
Done

Comment by Rufus Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:31 am
Couple house-cleaning…

- 47th Ward -, bizarrely flattering but not embracing, lol

- VanillaMan - “Brothers in Keyboards”

- AB -, it’s one thing to spoof, but I would feel awful if those thinking they are talking to “me” aren’t, or someone feels, intendedly, to take my identity to “catfish” done really good people. I’m bizarre enough.

To all, including those going to greater lengths and time, y’all are the best, and I do appreciate it for those who might be fooled most of all. Thanks for me and them. If anything, highlighting this saves someone something.

and… some of the mocking isn’t too bad, the “Tinder” one, I did laugh, - LizPhairTax -

Crazy times.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:38 am
Done.

Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:41 am
Done…keep a dummy Facebook account just to view pages if login is required, came in handy today.

Comment by Finally Out (and now very glad to be) Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:44 am
Done. OW is a commenter of the highest quality and integrity.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:48 am
Done. Reported.

Usually facebook resolves these things quickly; I’ve reported friends’ hacked accounts in the past.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:52 am
done

Comment by Zoe Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 10:56 am
Wow the pen is mightier than the sword,the truth hurts someone

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 11:01 am
done

Comment by cb Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 11:05 am
Done - -but what an odd thing to do….

Comment by Soccermom Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 11:07 am
Six Degrees, please forever drop the “1/2″ comment (unless you have a specific critique related to the person who said it). It’s not cute. It’s just offensive, if you don’t know the backstory. And if you do, there’s no reason that kind of thing should follow Rep. Anthony around.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 11:16 am
I received a friend request from the fake Oswego Willy account. I was so flattered that he wanted to be my friend. I’m saddened that it isn’t so and I’m in desperate need of a hug

Comment by Ben Marc*m Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 11:18 am
I don’t have a Facebook account, so thanks to everyone who defended the real OW and the board as this harassment is not nice.

Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 11:29 am
Crazy Bleeding Heart, thanks, no more will I make this half-hearted comment.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 11:31 am
Done.

Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 11:33 am
On a similar note I see http://www.capitalfax.com/ (with an a) doesn’t link to IPI anymore.

–Done–

Comment by Person 8 Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 11:37 am
Timmeh - LOL! Well played. Points for you.

Comment by Barton Lorimor Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 11:42 am
Person 8 - It is amazing what happens when you try to access and search the wrong, but similar sites. I tried it myself - good point.

Comment by illini Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 11:50 am
I had a similar thing happen to me but they used my real name to setup the facebook page then asked my mom to confirm they were friends. My mom is remarried and has a surname that isnt my maiden name, and not my surname now. So i had to warn all friends and family that the poser was NOT me. I only found out because my mom called me when it happened. Totally creeped me out. Go after my mother? Sicko. Why? She’s never worked in government. Somebody is waaay too serious to just be goofy in the head i think. Its not a joke, it is aggression. Why they are being aggressive to me, or to example you posted, is still a mystery we havent solved but i alerted my law enforcement friends to the ruse.

Comment by internal angel Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 12:07 pm
Done. What a classless thing to do.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 12:09 pm
I just received word from Facebook that they’ve reviewed my report and that I could Block Oswego Willy. That’s it.

Comment by Mouthy Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 12:13 pm
Don’t feed the pseudonym-ers. Pseudonymers own.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 12:18 pm
Well considering I think OW knows who I actually am and didn’t send me a friend request show this is obviously a fake account…

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 12:25 pm
No luck so far:

“Thank you for taking the time to report something that you feel may violate our Community Standards. Reports like yours are an important part of making Facebook a safe and welcoming environment. We reviewed the profile you reported for pretending to be someone they’re not and found it doesn’t violate our Community Standards.
Please let us know if you see anything else that concerns you. If you want us to look at something specific on a profile, be sure to report the content (ex: photo), not the entire profile. We want to keep Facebook safe and welcoming for everyone.”

Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 12:45 pm
The first step is just letting it be known;

I’m not requesting Friends and/or on Facebook.

If you’re thinking it’s me, it’s not. Honest.

- Ben -, consider yourself hugged.

- OneMan -, when you least suspect, bud, and at the right place. My marker is good.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 12:50 pm
I want to know who would send Oswego Willy money?

Comment by NoGifts Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 12:51 pm
Facebook didn’t seem to care. Here’s what they replied:

FROM NOTIFICATION

You anonymously reported Oswego Willy for pretending to be someone they’re not.
REPORT REVIEWED
Thank you for taking the time to report something that you feel may violate our Community Standards. Reports like yours are an important part of making Facebook a safe and welcoming environment. We reviewed the profile you reported for pretending to be someone they’re not and found it doesn’t violate our Community Standards.

Comment by Mark Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 1:41 pm
What’s this Facebook thing your talking about?

Comment by Blue dog dem Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 1:46 pm
It really is kind of pompous and childish to have a call to arms over an “Oswego Willy” Facebook account. It’s the internet era kids, this stuff happens all the time. Unless you have a copyright or you got to it first, its up for grabs.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 1:47 pm
Welp, it looks this wraps up my civil duties for this year.

Comment by Papa Mikey Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:03 pm
If someone set up a fake Facebook account for me, I would appreciate those who would take the time to help get it deleted. I could not find fake Oswego Willy by doing a search on Facebook. However, when I followed the link provided it came up. I did what I could to help out. Yeah, it’s the Internet, etc, etc, but fake is fake. Why give someone the satisfaction of using a well-known handle in current use by someone?!

Comment by Nearly Normal Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:04 pm
===It really is kind of pompous and childish to have a call to arms over an “Oswego Willy” Facebook account.===

It really is kind of creepy and childish to have created a Facebook account for “Oswego Willy” when you’re actually not him.

Better.

Why dupe people? Who knows what this person wants me saying, or, given those seemingly friends, purposely trying to “catfish” people for … why?

Actually, just informing readers here it isn’t me helps more than taking it down. If intellegent people reading here know it’s not me, that’s half the battle won.

It’s a lil Creepy that on Sunday nite someone was so bored, they created a Facebook page… claiming to be me. Pretty embarrassing too.

“Creeps are gonna Creep”, isn’t that what your saying?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:09 pm
I reported it first this morning as did so many others, and they aren’t taking it down. That is scary. Not sure if you have a fb account OW but you may want to open one, to reach out to those duped by this one.

Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 2:39 pm
I was notified that they’re not taking it down, as well.

Comment by Stuff Happens Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:07 pm
Willy, I sill have your backside, but am not one of the 58 friends in your Facebook page. Yet I still consider you a friend.

Comment by illini Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:15 pm
- illini - and “All”…

The best thing to go is NOT be my friend on Facebook…

Not being “Oswego Willy’s” friend is as good as it gets, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:22 pm
This pretty much confirms that Facebook is not a place I want to be. Bad enough that someone can create a false account - there are jerks all over. But that FB won’t take it down after being told it’s fake? That’s just wrong.

Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:23 pm
“It really is kind of pompous and childish to have a call to arms over an ‘Oswego Willy’ Facebook account.”

“Pompous and childish”?

Like when an anonymous troll presumes to tell the proprietor of a very successful website what he should post on that website?

How very droll…

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:33 pm
MrJM - exactly!!!!!!!!!

Comment by illini Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 3:57 pm
You still have to love those Trolls, at least once in a while!

Comment by illini Tuesday, Dec 8, 15 @ 4:02 pm