When dealing with an online economy, you can expect an amount of scamming to come with the territory. I had considered myself impervious to scamming until a few months ago. What follows is a cautionary tale…

Around my mid-twenties, I decided it was time to join a guild. I was looking for a “family style” guild. Low pressure, light RP, friendly to causual and hard-core gamers alike. I found what I was looking for in Circle of Titans. After joining, I was informed by the GL that all members level 20+ were asked to donate 10 percent of their coin or goods once a week to the help build up the guild bank. I was hesitant, but the idea of helping to my new online clan to get on its feet appealed to me.

I know, I know- stupid.

After spending enough time in the guild to donate roughly 20g, I logged on to see my guild tabard blank. The guild had disbanded, and I was out quite a bit of coin. I had been scammed, and I was livid. After a petition to a GM, and many “strong” messages sent to the former GL, I was finally refunded 5g.

I fumed for many days, but then I realized it was my fault. I should have known better that to willingly hand over my hard earned fake money. In fact, we all should know better. If there is a sucker born every minute, imagine how many are rolled in that same amount of time.