When I was moving up from office to office on the way to becoming Grand Master, I started noticing fake Social Media accounts using my name and my photographs. Invariably they included an offer to make someone a Mason, and a link whereby a large fee could be paid for this privilege.
Scams of course, over the course of years, hundreds of them using my name and likeness.
Then when I actually became Grand Master, it got worse. A lot worse.
Charge to the Lodge, Castle Rock
When this first started happening, (primarily on Facebook) Facebook was reasonably responsive. I’d complain using the official system, some other Brothers would too, and the offending scam would be removed.
But then that stopped happening. Facebook just started ignoring these complaints. They would respond back with something bland, and the scam would stay in place.
How many people fell for these scams in my name?
I have no way of knowing. But, I know that some did.
I know that some did because one day I got a call from a young wife in Idaho. She informed me that her husband had started sending me money through some app or another, and had done so more than once. She’d become convinced that it was a scam, but hadn’t been able to convince him.
I of course assured her that it was indeed a scam, and told her how her husband could legitimately become a Freemason.
But, I imagine that most never followed-up in any way. They were simply robbed of their money.
Changes to Social Media algorithms have made reaching Masons on those platforms much more difficult over the past months. If you are enjoying this post, will you share it to your own feeds so that our Brothers can see it?
I know that scammers do this to most, if not all Masonic leaders, they do it in the name of Lodges and Grand Lodges as well. I even know of full fledged fake Grand Lodge websites that look legitimate, but are nothing but an attempt to steal from the unsuspecting.
The thing is, none of this is legal. It is not legal for a person to use a photograph I own without my permission. But the platforms ignore it if we complain as individuals.
Platforms don’t however ignore it if they receive a proper DCMA Takedown Notice1. They act, and they act promptly, because they have an obligation under the law to do so.
Yesterday, The Magpie Mason suggested a very simple solution to the problem.
If I can paraphrase his suggestion, it is that the respective Grand Lodges, at the upcoming Conference of Grand Masters of North America, create a fund that every Grand Lodge contributes to, and use that funding to pay an attorney in the field to file these legal notices, thereby getting the scams taken down.
As he points out, this would not be an expensive endeavor, as all of these situations are so obviously fraudulent that none would ever go to court.
As he further points out, it would assist the Grand Lodges in performing their duty to preserve unsullied the reputation of our Ancient Craft.
In my view, this is something extremely easy, and cheap, that could be done by our collective Grand Lodges, and would make a positive difference for all those who might otherwise fall for a scam.
But what do you think? Do you believe it is something our Grand Lodges should do?
If the brothers were more careful on social media, things wouldn't be too bad. Not referring to this particular scam, which can't be helped, but others that occur on a daily basis.
If only all these offers of friendship on FB from these absolutely gorgeous women were real. But they're not. I can't understand how anyone would fall for such a ploy, especially men that should be old enough to know better.
Do you due diligence when accepting a friend request, especially from friends you already have. Don't just blindly accept such requests until you've verified who they are. Some giveaways that the accounts are fake: Lack of friends in their friends list. Only a few pictures in their profile. Lack of mutual friends. They already have an account you're friends with. Just a few telltale signs the account is a fraud.
One other way they will try and fool you is to ask for your phone number and then call you saying they need your help to unlock their FB account. Or, they message you requesting the same thing. They claim they need three friends to click on a link to unlock their account.
Do not, under any circumstances click on any link sent you from a "friend" that was unsolicited. Never. Know what you are clicking on first.
Finally, stop answering those questions on FB asking you for the town you were born in, or your first concert, first car, the high school you attended, etc. All of these are online security questions from your various accounts. Do not reveal the answers to these to anyone.
Thank you for posting this solid advice. It can help I think.
That said, it is rather amazing to me the folks who sometimes fall for online scams. I know a young woman, a bright young woman, who about a year ago lost all the cash from her checking account due to an online scam. She figured it out very soon after it happened, but by then the money was gone.
Some of the scammers are I think quite smart in how they can get people to reveal things.
Id say that Identity theft does not take action or inaction on any one's part. Thieves will steal your identity just using other people's information made available about you.
It seems to me that for the amount of work these scammers put into conning people out of money, they could make a lot more going legit. But maybe these are a lot more effective than I imagine.
The grand lodge of NC it self has fallen victim to this type of scam. and through multiple plea's Facebook has refused to act. This page pretends to be the GL of NC. "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091944556244" My understanding is that they have written letters, legal has been involved and nothing will be done.
I think that's why, as the Magpie suggests, we would need to get a firm that specializes in this specific area of law. Certainly we've got them on copyright violations when they use our photographs, at the least.
My understanding is that using the dmca takedown process doesn't involve needing to contact the scam guy. It is rather utilizing the process set up by the large social media platforms to let them know when someone posts copyrighted material, so that it can be removed. Therefore there is no need for recourse to whatever country the scammer might be in, as the platforms are located here.
A lot of photos are indeed public domain, because they are very old. And of course a lot of others are licenced under less restrictive frameworks like Creative Commons, but for any artistic work in this country, again, where these platforms are located, Copyright is in effect from the instant the work is created, and continues until or unless it is assigned elsewhere. Just using myself as an example, no one else would ever be in any position to claim that any photo I took was somehow in the public domain.
I think that the process is utilized every single day without backlash. The examples I know about are I think mostly with You Tube. Someone posts a recording from a concert or something on You Tube, the musician sends You Tube the notice, and You Tube removes it. I've read about that in the past, but I know that every large Social Platform utilizes a similar system.
Ultimately, it is something that impacts what I do here on Emeth. The images I use on these posts are either:
-Images that I own
-Images that are so old as to be in the Public Domain (First published prior to 1928)
-Images that are posted under various Creative Commons licenses and are therefore legal to use, provided that I include a link to the specific license.
-Images that I properly and legally license from a company called Unsplash
-Drawings that I create using a tool provided by Substack
I've done that from the start here, because I've known that if a notice was sent to Substack from a creator that I was using their intellectual property (images), Substack would be required to remove my posts. Therefore the only images used on this site are images I have a legal right to use, and importantly, that I can prove I have a legal right to use. I think that is a responsibility of anyone who publishes.
Dec 14, 2023·edited Dec 14, 2023Liked by Cameron M. Bailey
Thank you so much for writing this! I hope as many people as possible will read it.
I really hope that, even if slowly, but surely, there will be a change. The Masonic society unites and acts together (regardless of who which country or continent live in, which Grand Lodge belong to, or which branch of Freemasonry belong to) using the means of the law against fraudsters. Furthermore, social networking sites are aware and do not allow fraud.
Nike, Levis, Disney, Microsoft, HBO, and every other large business, brand, and artist takes steps to protect their intellectual property. They have to do so in order to protect themselves.
It is, I think, high time that Freemasonry does the same, and I'm really pleased that the Magpie Mason publicized an effective way that we can do just that.
Hi brother Cameron thanks for the help about brother pike my pal comes from the states he has been over here for 40 odd years. Sorry I could not reply to your answer but it says substance is not a valid email address
Certainly, the establishment of a collective fund, contributed to by every Grand Lodge, dedicated to retaining legal support for filing DCMA Takedown Notices, is a prudent initiative. As Masons, we pledge to defend each other's character, and this approach allows us to do so on a broader scale.
Freemasons devised a form of multifactor authentication centuries ago, with penalties serving as effective deterrents against breach. This commitment is still evident in our physical protection of privacy at Lodge meetings and against the approach of impersonators.
In today's digital landscape, the risk of identity abuse and scams is an unfortunate reality. It falls upon each individual Mason, Lodge, and Grand Lodge to uphold our privacy, manage exposure, and address the repercussions of any breaches. The responsibility is inherent, and creating a centralized fund for legal action aligns with our duty to protect the fraternity.
Considering the global presence of Masons, the extensive online footprint of the fraternity, and the abundance of sensitive information under our guardianship, Freemasonry appears to be out-performing other entities in addressing these challenges. In comparison to government
or e-commerce, our proactive stance on privacy and security is commendable.
So why is it so damn difficult to build a regional digital directory of Masons?
Such a program would help protect the innocent and it would demonstrate that integrity is a Masonic value.
Agreed.
If the brothers were more careful on social media, things wouldn't be too bad. Not referring to this particular scam, which can't be helped, but others that occur on a daily basis.
If only all these offers of friendship on FB from these absolutely gorgeous women were real. But they're not. I can't understand how anyone would fall for such a ploy, especially men that should be old enough to know better.
Do you due diligence when accepting a friend request, especially from friends you already have. Don't just blindly accept such requests until you've verified who they are. Some giveaways that the accounts are fake: Lack of friends in their friends list. Only a few pictures in their profile. Lack of mutual friends. They already have an account you're friends with. Just a few telltale signs the account is a fraud.
One other way they will try and fool you is to ask for your phone number and then call you saying they need your help to unlock their FB account. Or, they message you requesting the same thing. They claim they need three friends to click on a link to unlock their account.
Do not, under any circumstances click on any link sent you from a "friend" that was unsolicited. Never. Know what you are clicking on first.
Finally, stop answering those questions on FB asking you for the town you were born in, or your first concert, first car, the high school you attended, etc. All of these are online security questions from your various accounts. Do not reveal the answers to these to anyone.
Thank you for posting this solid advice. It can help I think.
That said, it is rather amazing to me the folks who sometimes fall for online scams. I know a young woman, a bright young woman, who about a year ago lost all the cash from her checking account due to an online scam. She figured it out very soon after it happened, but by then the money was gone.
Some of the scammers are I think quite smart in how they can get people to reveal things.
Id say that Identity theft does not take action or inaction on any one's part. Thieves will steal your identity just using other people's information made available about you.
My wife and I run an annual free public event.
Good news: we’re big enough that scammers try to sell tickets.
Usually they say they have tickets but can’t go due to some minor emergency, so they want to sell their tickets.
We block them when we find them.
It seems to me that for the amount of work these scammers put into conning people out of money, they could make a lot more going legit. But maybe these are a lot more effective than I imagine.
The grand lodge of NC it self has fallen victim to this type of scam. and through multiple plea's Facebook has refused to act. This page pretends to be the GL of NC. "https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091944556244" My understanding is that they have written letters, legal has been involved and nothing will be done.
Ya'll send someone to check on that Wo. Bill Werner.. Its been over a year since i visited him last.
I talked with him not long ago.
tell him he needs to travel to "Munrow" NC.
I was with Bill yesterday and we talk all the time. I'll tell him you asked about him
I think that's why, as the Magpie suggests, we would need to get a firm that specializes in this specific area of law. Certainly we've got them on copyright violations when they use our photographs, at the least.
I think that would be a wild goose chase as it assumes:
1. the offender is with in a legal framework where by one could file for recourse.
2. that the photos you put on social media are not considered public domain due to the agreements you sign.
3. the offender can even be identified
4. our legal team could even be able to match that of a hyperscale multinational corp
5. this wouldn't create immense public backlash if not handled discreetly.
My understanding is that using the dmca takedown process doesn't involve needing to contact the scam guy. It is rather utilizing the process set up by the large social media platforms to let them know when someone posts copyrighted material, so that it can be removed. Therefore there is no need for recourse to whatever country the scammer might be in, as the platforms are located here.
A lot of photos are indeed public domain, because they are very old. And of course a lot of others are licenced under less restrictive frameworks like Creative Commons, but for any artistic work in this country, again, where these platforms are located, Copyright is in effect from the instant the work is created, and continues until or unless it is assigned elsewhere. Just using myself as an example, no one else would ever be in any position to claim that any photo I took was somehow in the public domain.
I think that the process is utilized every single day without backlash. The examples I know about are I think mostly with You Tube. Someone posts a recording from a concert or something on You Tube, the musician sends You Tube the notice, and You Tube removes it. I've read about that in the past, but I know that every large Social Platform utilizes a similar system.
Ultimately, it is something that impacts what I do here on Emeth. The images I use on these posts are either:
-Images that I own
-Images that are so old as to be in the Public Domain (First published prior to 1928)
-Images that are posted under various Creative Commons licenses and are therefore legal to use, provided that I include a link to the specific license.
-Images that I properly and legally license from a company called Unsplash
-Drawings that I create using a tool provided by Substack
I've done that from the start here, because I've known that if a notice was sent to Substack from a creator that I was using their intellectual property (images), Substack would be required to remove my posts. Therefore the only images used on this site are images I have a legal right to use, and importantly, that I can prove I have a legal right to use. I think that is a responsibility of anyone who publishes.
Yes then perhaps a collaboration with grand lodges to protect identities would be effective.
I would imagine the grand lodges should start by copyrighting their own logos and officer images.
Thank you so much for writing this! I hope as many people as possible will read it.
I really hope that, even if slowly, but surely, there will be a change. The Masonic society unites and acts together (regardless of who which country or continent live in, which Grand Lodge belong to, or which branch of Freemasonry belong to) using the means of the law against fraudsters. Furthermore, social networking sites are aware and do not allow fraud.
Nike, Levis, Disney, Microsoft, HBO, and every other large business, brand, and artist takes steps to protect their intellectual property. They have to do so in order to protect themselves.
It is, I think, high time that Freemasonry does the same, and I'm really pleased that the Magpie Mason publicized an effective way that we can do just that.
Hi brother Cameron thanks for the help about brother pike my pal comes from the states he has been over here for 40 odd years. Sorry I could not reply to your answer but it says substance is not a valid email address
I'm glad it helped!
Certainly, the establishment of a collective fund, contributed to by every Grand Lodge, dedicated to retaining legal support for filing DCMA Takedown Notices, is a prudent initiative. As Masons, we pledge to defend each other's character, and this approach allows us to do so on a broader scale.
Freemasons devised a form of multifactor authentication centuries ago, with penalties serving as effective deterrents against breach. This commitment is still evident in our physical protection of privacy at Lodge meetings and against the approach of impersonators.
In today's digital landscape, the risk of identity abuse and scams is an unfortunate reality. It falls upon each individual Mason, Lodge, and Grand Lodge to uphold our privacy, manage exposure, and address the repercussions of any breaches. The responsibility is inherent, and creating a centralized fund for legal action aligns with our duty to protect the fraternity.
Considering the global presence of Masons, the extensive online footprint of the fraternity, and the abundance of sensitive information under our guardianship, Freemasonry appears to be out-performing other entities in addressing these challenges. In comparison to government
or e-commerce, our proactive stance on privacy and security is commendable.
So why is it so damn difficult to build a regional digital directory of Masons?
That directory would sure be handy! But I think it would have to be a localized initiative, at least to get the ball rolling.