Sorority pledges tormented on Facebook

Lafayette79 · #1 12-02-2010, 10:11 AM

I didn't see this posted yet, so here is a video of Meridith Viera on the Today show with a story of Sorority pledges in the southeast, being stalked by someone on Facebook who claims to be an older active and who knows way too much about them.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540...69828#40469828

OleMissGlitter · #2 12-02-2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lafayette79

I didn't see this posted yet, so here is a video of Meridith Viera on the Today show with a story of Sorority pledges in the southeast, being stalked by someone on Facebook who claims to be an older active and who knows way too much about them.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540...69828#40469828

I had heard about this earlier in the semester. I got a memo about it either from the NPC or AOII (can't remember!). I hate that the young lady left FSU and KD. However, this is another life lesson, not to have your profiles open to the world!

AOII Angel · #3 12-02-2010, 10:30 AM

I love the voice over on the video that says, "Seemed like 'normal hazing'."
Nice!

Alumiyum · #4 12-02-2010, 11:00 AM

If it were me I would have gone to someone in the chapter and asked what the fuck was going on...I wish she had so someone could have assured her this wasn't real. I don't blame her for being freaked out beyond all reason, but yeah, as they say, this is a good reminder to NOT leave your profile public. I'm also glad she went to the police as soon as she put two and two together. But the stuff they talk about...knowing when meetings were, how far her house was from the KD house, inner workings of the sorority...so much of that can be found out with Google and Mapquest if the person spends enough time on FB gathering information.

And yeah..."normal hazing". REALLY?

RaggedyAnn · #5 12-02-2010, 03:11 PM

Are these all schools that list their new members publicly? I'm just wondering why they would be targeted.

Alumiyum · #6 12-02-2010, 03:42 PM

If the chapters have facebook groups that aren't 100% private, they could find them that way...the creepy part is how much the stalker digs up, though. I have no doubt it's all information that can be found through google/facebook/myspace but that's still a LOT of digging to do. It's obviously someone committed to their stalkerdom.

OleMissGlitter · #7 12-02-2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaggedyAnn

Are these all schools that list their new members publicly? I'm just wondering why they would be targeted.

I don't believe FSU lists new members. Auburn and Alabama do. However, I would think if you have an open profile anyone, anywhere can find you and read that you just pledged XYZ sorority. So, it would take some serious Facebook stalking but it is totally doable. I guess this creep has lots of time to FB stalk!

ComradesTrue · #8 12-02-2010, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OleMissGlitter

So, it would take some serious Facebook stalking but it is totally doable. I guess this creep has lots of time to FB stalk!

I don't think it takes that much time at all. One new member with an open profile tags her pledge sisters in a bid day or party photo. One click on the tagged names and you are on another new member's page. And on and on. Requires virtually no detective skills whatsoever.

It's all in the tagging.

Agree that bottom line is profiles should be private. Also, if something seems fishy then go with your gut instinct because it probably is.

AGDee · #9 12-02-2010, 03:49 PM

The original thread about this was posted in mid-September. The Today show is a little late on this one, I'd say...

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=115928

Alumiyum · #10 12-02-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blondie93

I don't think it even takes that much time. One new member with an open profile tags her pledge sisters in a bid day or party photo. One click on the tagged names and you are on another new member's page. Requires virtually no detective skills whatsoever.

It's all in the tagging.

Agree that bottom line is profiles should be private. Also, if something seems fishy then go with your gut instinct.

It's the personal details that are the creepiest, and that would take some time, but if profiles were private, the creeper would probably move on to an easier target.

I highly recommend anyone with a facebook use the ultimate privacy settings. If you search my name you'll only see my picture and an option to friend me. I don't even allow messages from those not on my friends list. Nothing on the internet is 100% safe, but if a burglar has a choice between the house with an alarm system and locked door or the house with no lock and no intruder alert, who is he going to pick?

I wonder what route this guy will go next once all the sorority girls have been warned?

KSUViolet06 · #11 12-02-2010, 04:08 PM

^^^Same with me. The only thing you can see is my main profile pic, and your only options are to send me a message or add me.

Yeah, we received a memo from our HQ about this. There were women from one of our chapters who had been contacted by this person as well. The person was telling them things like "we have mandatory alumna webcam nights" and other crazy stuff. Thankfully none of the women quit because of it.

Alumiyum · #12 12-02-2010, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

^^^Same with me. The only thing you can see is my main profile pic, and your only options are to send me a message or add me.

Yeah, we received a memo from our HQ about this. There were women from one of our chapters who had been contacted by this person as well. The person was telling them things like "we have mandatory alumna webcam nights" and other crazy stuff. Thankfully none of the women quit because of it.

I'm glad they didn't quit...I hate that some of these girls missed out on being Greek.

FSUZeta · #13 12-02-2010, 06:56 PM

fsu does not list new members.

KSUViolet06 · #14 12-02-2010, 08:32 PM

^^^Yeah. Our chapters have FB/Twitter for PR purposes, but our chapters are discouraged from sending anything official via FB/Twitter (they're supposed to use email/BillHighway/SigmaConnect for anything official).

Like you said though, a creeper could just as easily get your email address to send you something. I know that my University has an online email/phone directory that is very public (on the homepage). However, you CAN tell the Registrar to remove your info.

As creepy as this is, I wonder WHO this person is and what their motive is. The women who have received stuff on FB say that the account is a woman, but it could just easily be a guy.

Alumiyum · #15 12-02-2010, 08:48 PM

It can all be reasonably safe with the right precautions. IIRC my organization specifies what can be used for official communications, and I'm not sure even plain old email is listed. It is extremely handy, though, for times when events change or are relocated. I remember it being a huge time saver for officers when intramural games got moved, for instance, and more people were likely to show up than if they were emailed.

However chapters should be very careful to make their groups totally private. That way, the member list and any other such info is hidden unless you are approved to join.