Don't allow users to create Fitbit accounts unless they have Fitbit devices

[nit3ghadge]

Fitbit should allow profile creation only for those users who has FitBit device. I'm seeing lot of fake profiles which send request and ask for things like cam chat, marriage, trading, binary and all other unnecessary things which are out of this platform. This annoys a lot as you need to keep on marking them as bad profile.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Elyse628]

I agree.  I'm constantly being harassed by new users with fake profiles, even some using the same picture!  I'm disgusted already and I've only had my Fitbit for 2 weeks!  Be on the lookout.

[SunsetRunner]

Not only new users.  Months ago I uploaded a picture of a guy from “Arabia” named Prince Fazz, Prince Handam, Fazz, and over 10 different profiles!!!!

How are we supposed to feel free in this app with all these creepers around us?  And of course all harassers who think this is a dating site and bother constantly with all types of proposals.

Our question is, when is Fitbit going to do something?

[llisalou]

I totally agree,
Thing is they use profiles of doctors who are quite handsome so they must be desperate and so ugly to do that.  They shouldn't be allowed on, it isn't a dating app.

[bobby2478]

I disagree with this. While I agree some sort of way to filter out bots or bogus accounts, there are valid reasons for people to want to use the Fitbit app without a Fitbit device. They can still track their steps via their phone, log food and water intake, set goals to lose weight etc. Once they get in the Fitbit ecosystem and like it they are more likely to buy a Fitbit device in the future if ever in the market for one. So I think people who don't own Fitbit devices should still be able to create an account, install the app and utilize the features available to them. There should be some other way of recognizing and preventing bots/fake account creation.

[leear]

Allowing catfish in and scammers in is wrong and needs firm action to remove them. 

[Hadden8176]

Just a FYI.

There are alot of people that have an Apple Watch (my Hubbs) but prefers the Fitbit platform. He has a 3rd part app integrator that pulls from his apple watch to his Fitbit app/account. We have an Aira Scale so he pulls that that apple watch into to make a complete wellness profile. So he doesn't have a Fitbit device although he might get one now with the Versa Sence coming out. There might be alot of people like him using Fitbit without an actual device. So making having a Fitbit device a requirement to use the app is a bit unfair. My hubs doesn't stalk anyone.

[bobby2478]

Agreed. When looking at abuses we're trying to prevent such as stalkers/catfishers/etc, these are people who abuse the platform. Not all people who use Fitbit without a device are potential stalkers/catfishers, nor to the all abuse the platform.

I'm all for some thoughtful way of addressing people who abuse the platform to threaten/intimidate/stalk others and preventing them from using. Not sure if there's a way outside of letting them register and allow people to flag accounts for abuse for a multitude of reasons and/or block them from seeing their profile or contacting them (I thought there was already a way to block other members)

[mbarylski]

Fake accounts definitely need to be dealt with, but not allowing new users until they have a device is a mistake. I learned a lot on this forum in the weeks before I received my first ever Fitbit device (Fitbit Sense), and found it valuable to create the account so I could participate in discussions. It helped me determine whether or not I should even buy it and it the end, bought the sense because of the interactions within the community.

[ALP1961]

I understand your concern but hope that You realize that this how most
of them get in here in the first place. I'm Not willing to sacrifice the
Safety of Our Community for learning...

Alan L Patrick

[mbarylski]

I get it, which is why I said there needs to be a way to deal with the fake accounts. But preventing everyone from getting an account locks out folks that are legitimately interested in Fitbit and that's not a solution either.

[ALP1961]

I do understand access to the Forum without an account on the App, but
them allowing free reign on the App is creating a Dangerous environment for
those of us Truly invested in Fitness. I take down as many of the fake
accounts I come across but it doesn't really make a dent in how many are
Actually here now. Yesterday alone I dropped 4 accounts that were fake, yet
Fitbit has allowed some to reactivate the same account. Had one I removed 4
times before it was hopefully made permanent....

Alan L Patrick

[bobby2478]

I disagree that allowing people who don't own a Fitbit device to create an account creates a "Dangerous environment for those of us Truly invested in Fitness". If the concern is people "stalking" you or friending you, you can always block/reject those requests which is the safeguard to keep those accounts away from your personal account.

As others said there are legitimate use cases for people to create a Fitbit account and use the mobile app without an activity tracker or Fitbit device. For example, you can use your phone as a step counter, you can log your weight and water intake, you can track active minutes, you can create a weight loss plan and log your food/track your progress. All of which gets them into the Fitbit "ecosystem" and if they like it will lead them to buying a Fitbit device in the future.

Back to the original point, we all agree there should be a meaningful way of dealing with accounts that harass members. Whether that's "stalking" or what not. Perhaps the option to make your account "private" except to those you accept as friends, which gives you the control. Also the ability to block/reject people. But you can't throw out the baby with the bathwater by saying EVERYONE who uses Fitbit without a Fitbit device is a cause for concern and needs to be banned. The solution is in the middle somewhere.

[ALP1961]

Then put a suggestion of HOW to do it. Pisses me off that most of us PAID
for a device on Fitbit then Fitbit made a way around that by using phones
to track... Defeats Ever buying Any devices now Doesn't it. That is Not the
way FITBIT started and Shouldn't have been changed.
Letting them talk to users on the Forums to see what device they wanted
to start with is fine, somewhere you miss the whole point of Protecting the
Community against Spam, Scams and such. Its bad enough in Everyday life let
alone an App for Fitness that has basically turned to CRAP rife with it.
Just blocking them Still allows them to prey on unsuspecting people. That
itself is Wrong. Am I afraid? Hell no I'm not, in TIRED of requests that
turn out to be Spam in the first place, they Are getting smarter, faking
steps, badges, watch the group's they join.
Trust me I've been taking them out for well over a year and Never had
it been this bad and I joined in 2015. Google got involved and it only got
Worse. They are Only worried about number of downloads not keeping Real
Members happy. If you have a Better plan let's hear it, because blocking
does no one any good.

Alan Patrick

[bobby2478]

I've been a Fitbit member for almost 7 years now and NEVER get any Spam/Scam requests. Not sure if that's because I'm not active with friends and such or what.

Before jumping into an anger response start by defining the problem. I've read there are several concerns around different types of abuse:

• Accounts that are used for Spam/Fraud
  • Can be both automated/bot created accounts as well as accounts created by people
• Accounts of members that "stalk", make unwanted sexual or other advances towards other members and make people feel uncomfortable
  • Nothing to prevent a Fitbit user with a device from doing this either
• Others?

How do you differentiate a Fitbit user with a device who performs these abuses from someone who doesn't own a Fitbit device and performs the same abuse. Banning ALL people from Fitbit UNLESS they buy/own a Fitbit device does nothing to stop people who own devices from performing the same abuses. So if you want to address abuse in general then you have to look more broadly at what will resolve the problem.

Perhaps look into some way of using an updated algorithm/AI to detect spam/fraudulent/automated acccounts from others. Provide the ability for people to report and block an account, which flags them for Fitbit to review. So many reports/strikes and their account temporarily loses access to the community (can't contact others) until after Fitbit performs some type of review and determines whether the abuse is severe enough the account should be terminated. Some additional follow ups that ensure members are using the Fitbit app/website and actually interacting with the service and literally not just doing social posts and suspending accounts that don't meet some activity threshold.

There are a LOT of things to consider. The point being simply saying BAN all accounts unless they own a Fitbit device in and of itself won't solve the problem as it won't do anything about members with devices from performing the same abuse. When Fitbit established the Social Media aspect of their platform they need to enhance privacy and working to address sources of abuse. No different then any other social media platform where privacy is an issue and members abuse the service. Threats continuously evolve and change which means you have to always respond to the next type of abuse (which may be different tomorrow than today)

[Elyse628]

I honestly think Fitbit is not doing enough to protect us. I’m fairly new to the community and in my naïveté talked to a scammer for a whole week without knowing. I only realized at that point once he removed me from his friend list out of the blue and changed his profile pictures to a completely different person. I’m scared now what I told him and if he can use any of that against me to steal my identify, etc. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone optimistic in thinking Fitbit only has other like-minded people trying to get healthy and support one another. I was extremely shocked and disappointed that the only thing I could do was to block them and report them. But that doesn’t protect other people from succumbing to the scammers. And that doesn’t prevent the problem, just puts a bandaid over it.  I get at least a half a dozen scammer friend requests a day, and I report all of them, but I worry for all the other people out there who don’t know what to look for and are vulnerable to get played.

When I’m trying to identify a scammer, I use some of the following criteria. I would suggest Fitbit do the same in a more automated fashion:

- Are they a new profile?

- How many friend requests are they sending in a span of time?  I would think new users are just learning about the app and don’t need dozens of new friends off the bat. 
- Are they posting nonsense?  Pictures with calorie burn but no steps or distance. Posting begging for people to add them as friends. Postings not relevant to the group. Etc. 

- How many open groups have they joined in a short span of time?  I would think that the average user only joins a handful of groups in the beginning to not get inundated. Many scammers join every open group they can. Are you a man but in group like Birth Control, Pregnancy, and Trying to Conceive? Probably a scammer. Are you a young guy but in the Fit Seniors group?  Scammer. In both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes groups?  Scammer. In all the open city groups across the US?  Scammer. In groups of multiple languages?  Probably a scammer. 
- How many messages are they sending to new friends with nothing much to say? If I’m going to message a new friend/stranger, I’d let them know why I was messaging them, so they don’t get creeped out. And it should be health/fitness related. If they send a message with just “hi” or “hey beautiful/dear/pretty” and wait for your response to start a conversation to just get to know you better, probably a scammer. 

I think Fitbit needs to be PROACTIVE in finding these types of accounts and stoping them from harassing their members!  Yes an easy way to prevent them from creating accounts is to only allow users with a tracker. But if that is not a fair solution for real people who are not scammers, then Fitbit should have something else in the works to protect us. Right now, they are doing NOTHING. And they are going to lose customers if they keep going this way. 

If you agree or have more tips to identify scammers, please feel free to add to my list.  Many thanks. 

[ALP1961]

Sounds like you hit on most everything I use to root them out. Sometimes I
let them hang themselves when chatting.
Yes it is Ultimately Fitbit who Has to step up or lose All of the True
fitness related people from here. Many have already left, some of us are
fighting back, others ignore or block them sending them to unsuspecting
people. It's just plain SAD anymore..

Alan L Patrick

[SunsetRunner]

In the last three days I have received four different requests contact from different profiles and same pictures.  The first one had activity and when I accepted I received a message of “hello beautiful”.  
I am very rude when I answer and when I rejected the answer was “**ahem** you **ahem**” and I was removed from “his” list.  And on the next days I received three more contact requests from same picture and different names: Johnson F., James M. and Jackson M.  What is that?  
I am fed up of scammers, harassers, copy cats and men who try to make you stupid proposals and react with violence.  
Fitbit doesn’t seem to care and the solution is to look for another app.

[maianebula]

Wholeheartedly agree with this. I have never received so much harassment in my life, and by proxy-by being my actual real-life friends and therefore connected with me on Fitbit, so did my friends. It's off-putting and disgusting. 

I've seen the complaints raised in several threads on the forum, with replies that nothing can be done. Even this thread moderators claim they will raise it with the Fitbit teams if it receives enough attention. 

How much more attention is needed? The topic is certainly not new. Right now women, mostly, are abandoned in dealing with the harassment. This is a step away from asking them what they were wearing when they were assaulted. 

[SunsetRunner]

In one year and a half that I’ve been a Fitbit user I have never received so much contact requests than in this past months.  There are three or four pictures of same guys with over 20 different profiles and names.  I am reporting almost 5 fake profiles a day and I am tired of dealing with this!!!

And what about harassment?  I receive two or three daily messages from men saying “hello beautiful, darling, dear” and asking for my Hangouts account or my cellphone number.  I am very rude to beat them and most of them finish offending me before I expose their screenshot conversations, block and report them for harassment.

I have made lots of complains reporting creepers, scammers, catfishes and harassers but I have never received any answer.  But obviously after exposing screenshots of conversations in very crowded groups I have been warned if I continue with this attitude Fitbit is going to “punish” me freezing my account.  What is that?

It’s obvious Fitbit doesn’t care and me like others are seriously thinking of leaving because we are here for fitness.

[SunsetRunner]

I have only had my fitbit for about 2 weeks now and there have been so many men requesting to connect that show no activity, Yes, I decline them. I don't think it should be allowed for man or woman to be able to join if they do not have a fitbit. This just opens the door to a lot of trouble. Scammers, hackers, etc. Please, Fitbit, do not allow one to join if they have no Fitbit.

[rachaelfield72]

Dear Fitbit~

Please require a Fitbit device as a condition of account creation.  Please protect your legitimate users from scams. 

Thank you!!

[SunsetRunner]

Today I exposed a screenshot of a “man” harassing me by message.  I am tired of dealing with this crap!!!

[Odyssey13]

@SunsetRunner  while you might be bothered by these people, why waste your time with them? Ignore them. They are like telemarketers. The more attention they get seems to make them multiply in numbers.

@rachaelfield72  there are many people who join a forum to read and learn about a product before purchasing it. To limit those joining would also prevent people from learning before buying. Doesn't seem fair to tell someone who is thinking about buying a Fitbit that they can't read more about it. 

[SunsetRunner]

With more than 400 upvotes, FitBit should be addressing fake accounts immediately. At minimum, allow users to verify their identity so that fake accounts are automatically kept from chat features until it is complete. I understand some will want anonymity but they will have no social features enabled then. This should reduce the trouble we are all experiencing.

[ALP1961]

Well they should be able to read the Forum without creating an account on
the app. If you like the scammers then IMHO you are not much better than
they are. Paying members (as in linked devices) are what helped create the
Community that we have. Now it is overrun with SPAM, there is No reason for
it. Ignoring it doesn't Solve the problem. Some of the members have been
taken in by these scammers, Fitbit doesn't Care to stop it so it is up to
US to do something about it. If you think ignoring the problem will make it
go away you are wrong, it's just gonna keep getting worse till they are
basically the only ones left. As a Fitbit owner that is unacceptable. We
Paid to be here, they didn't. Get rid of the SPAM/SCAMS and take back our
Community and make it SAFE again.

Alan L Patrick