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CB Online Scams Backpage paid ads get "community removed" w/ no explanation - no response from cust. svc. for months
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Backpage review: paid ads get "community removed" w/ no explanation - no response from cust. svc. for months 47

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Author of the review
1:14 pm EDT
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This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

Hello,

I have been paying for ads on Backpage for nearly 2 years now. Over the past several months, I have found several of my posts to have been removed, with no explanation beyond "Community Removed." As far as I know, I am following all rules - in fact, the ads that have been removed are literally identical to dozens of other ads I've posted on the site with no issues.

Also, I get no notice when my ads are removed. I only discover that they've been removed when I go in to "My Account" and see them highlighted in red.

Each time this happens, I message Customer Service through the form on the website. I have yet to receive any response. If I'm inadvertently doing something wrong, I'd like to know, so that I can change it; I sincerely wish to comply with all rules and ToS. If I haven't done anything wrong, and my ads have been removed in error, I would like a refund. At the moment, they're taking my money without providing the promised service, which feels like a total scam.

At the very least, I would just like to get a response / explanation from someone! Thank you very much for any help you may provide.

Update by East Coast USA Girl
Apr 30, 2017 2:08 pm EDT

UPDATE:
I'm finding tons of complaints online about this exact thing happening to other people. At least I know it's not personal, heh. If they do not resolve this, I plan to spend the rest of my credits, and never use the site again. Taking money for a service you fail to provide despite 100% compliance with rules and TOS is theft. As long as their customer service remains imaginary, I'm considering this site to be a total scam.

FWIW: When I first began using the site, it was pretty buggy, but they always responded to my service requests within a couple of hours. I'm not sure what happened recently, but I'm getting ready to abandon ship!

47 comments
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Crissy Cross
, US
Mar 27, 2018 3:23 pm EDT

Other places for posting ads in eroticmonkey get review or cityvibe is 20 per daily ad and more upscale and if u r gonna spend too much money for seedy bp as might as well go to eros and pay a monthly ad

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Crissy Cross
, US
Mar 27, 2018 3:21 pm EDT

Backpagedollars.com is a scam they wont give u credits at all they are stealing from... backpage put them as paymnet option and got [censor]... they took my amazon gift card and nothing in return. I hate paxful too but you get less in bitcoins also there is a lot theft going on. my bitcoins dissapear for no reason..

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Mscocolicous
, US
Mar 23, 2018 1:37 pm EDT

YES! Omg its crazy to see that somebody else is going through the same thing i am, i have never been removed before..Also if my ad was never posted live then when i contact for a.refund nobody has gotten back to me i have sent 5 msgs..I have spent ALOT of money with backpage over the years so i dont appreciate this at all..The bitcoin thing is already very complicated and i really feel like they are a scam too! Charging to send charging if u send all your bitcoins in your wallet its a fee so by the time you send them over to backpage its barely 75% of the amount you bought then to get it removed after all that..The here in la are 7 bucks..I had 2 different ads removed mind the same ads that had already been posted several times before..I have not gotten a response at all im demanding a refund..If you did not provide the service then u must refund somebodys money...Thanks..Frustrated..Coco

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user1790512
, US
Jan 25, 2018 11:29 pm EST

I'm glad to see that you [censor] are getting whats coming to you. Your now seeing in the coming 2020's how the prostitution lane is going to go. Most of you will not be able to make a living with this or a great one. Oh... And these damn real life sex dolls are going to be taking many of your clients away. Face it... Between the drugs, hotel rooms, make-up, clothes, [censor] eating habits, [censor] spending habits, [censored] kids you barely take care of, & the looming student debt you have... Many of you were not making that much as is. And if you were, you should of had enough common sense to invest that [censor] or start a business. Being a [censor] is not is a great career choice just like being a drug dealer. It's only a short term fix and nothing comes good from it long term. I've read the comments from many of you sl_tz. Many of you have been doing this for 5, 7, & 10 years and have nothing to show for it. Most of you were probably better off stripping and doing porn. At least you would have gotten recognition & can retire after 5-10 years from residuals, sex toy replica products, appearances, etc. It just shows that even when a woman "owns" her sexuality, most are still too stupid to really benefit, capitalize, and cash out before the well runs dry

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ladybritney
, US
Jan 17, 2018 10:03 pm EST

There is volume in numbers. I post on back page under massage I do nothing like the oriental places, but yet over half of my post get so called (community removed) its not much but $2 here and there ads up. I sent out over 75 emails for help. what can we all do. I want my money back! then. any ideas help!

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Katieboo
, US
Jan 11, 2018 7:32 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Has anyone figured this out? feel free to call me if any info. [protected]. my name is katie

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Bunny Boo
, US
Nov 28, 2017 9:36 pm EST

I thought it was just me! I have had sooooo many removed and emailed them repeatedly with no response smh

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drsoles
, US
Nov 18, 2017 4:59 am EST
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Sounds like Backpage is doing what Craigslist is famous for. This is one of the reasons I left Craigslist since my ads were incorrectly flagged. I don't see why online sites don't attempt to contact someone about their ad before removing it. In the case of Craigslist legitimate ads were flagged and removed and the user had no recourse. Many competitors realized that they can flag competing ads and have them removed so that started using this to their advantage on Craigslist. In the case of Craigslist, the ads were "ghosted". The ad would appear when you searched for it but wouldn't appear for others. Now it looks like Backpage has gone the way of Craigslist and sadly no other online classifieds exist that are as big names as Craigslist or Backpage.

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tall NBlonde
, US
Nov 13, 2017 1:19 am EST

I post in SF dating women for men and in seconds I am removed! Its not competition. ITS the system. Its automatic! Yet I see adds. BP is promoting human trafficking! Those are the only adds that are up!

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ExclusiveGFE
, US
Nov 18, 2017 1:19 pm EST
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So will you agree for the ill-legit legit (punk intended) girls like us should help by flagging those suspicious ones on BP...instead of complaining...?

Lets flip our girl bi-ceps! (By flag it).
Lets pick a target and see how it goes as an experiment!

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Bird1226
, US
Nov 04, 2017 4:10 pm EDT
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Why is it keep, getting removed

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StefanieStripwell
, US
Nov 04, 2017 6:44 am EDT
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Wow, this is f-ed up but I'm a little relieved that it is not just me. I am not paying for the $99 bill I ran up and am going to try to be sneaky af when I'm posting, only spending a couple dollars at a time. They credit mailed money orders and I have already started a new account. Escort Babylon and all these other sites have stolen every single photo I have ever posted so ya'll be careful with what you don't want on there forever cuz those mfs don't respond either. I think it may be that they think some of us are really cops posting. Either way, it's wrong.

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TJThaTruth
, US
Nov 03, 2017 2:29 pm EDT

Maybe you hookers should find another profession and get some dignity. The day you decide to settle down are you honest with a man that you've had hundreds/ thousands of penises in you? I doubt it. I'm putting my money on the cops flagging your ads but maybe it's the competition. Crying because there's hiccup in your efforts to prostitute. Too funny

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tall NBlonde
, US
Nov 13, 2017 1:25 am EST
Replying to comment of TJThaTruth

Maybe you are an [censor] who thinks women are here for your taking. Maybe you resent the fact that you would have to pay for it. You would rather stick your PENIS in women and then walk away. And you have no idea what we do. You think its SEX? Shows how primitive you are. Crawl back in your hole your inferior and you know it.

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ExclusiveGFE
, US
Oct 26, 2017 8:53 pm EDT
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This happened to me, too. I am relatively new.
I think most "guys" do not read through what you had to say... so, its pointless to write long.
However, I get by-pass that, maybe "some" girls get the green light?

Bp may be good for a jump start, after that, better migrate elsewhere... after all, bp is full of the asian massage parlor using stolen fake pictures.

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Bestever
, US
Oct 26, 2017 6:21 pm EDT

I’ve been posting ads on backpage for the last couple of days and they are being ghosted... you post them and then their not there at all in your account... has this happened to anyone else? I created a new account and now I can’t use my credit card I can only use bitcoins! but when posting the ad it says it’s too many words in the description and to remove some. you literally have to remove half the ad. then it just skips the paying section and just says your ad will post shortly if you don’t see it live in 30 mins then email them with the reference code which doesn’t work... can someone help me? has this happened to someone else?

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ExclusiveGFE
, US
Oct 25, 2017 11:45 pm EDT
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In my opinion: backpage's act is more of money laundering & distortion!
Quite similar to those that have said above... my ad also got "community removed."
I contacted bp numerous times and never got one single response. at the beginning, I have reported to the credit card company and bp ban me for that.
My new account also had the same problem, ads got removed... I think this is another way for bp to "inflate" their income... such act is "distortion."
Their criminal practice (distortion with money laundering) has back fire themselves, thus their time is "numbered."
Bp knows the girls who posted on their sites are engaged in illegal act, thus won't and cannot take legal action against bp!

I am looking for other sites to post ads... more tasteful and classy ones to replace bp.
Death to the bp for took advantage of the people who cannot voice out "legally."

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Vett1
, US
Sep 08, 2017 12:10 pm EDT

I travel to a few different cities all the time & I have found that this ONLY happens when I put an ad in DC (massage section)... & only during the peak times. this makes me believe it is indeed the competition. backpage really needs to do something about this!

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Sabrina7
, US
Aug 23, 2017 11:04 pm EDT
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Has anyone found a solution at all? I've used hundreds of dollars trying to advertise as I normally do and my ad keeps getting taken down, am I doing something wrong or is backpage scamming people out of crypto-currency? Seems everyone is running into the same problem :'(

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ExclusiveGFE
, US
Oct 25, 2017 11:56 pm EDT
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Replying to comment of Sabrina7

if you used the credit card, call the credit card company and complaint.
if you used the giftcard, call that particular giftcard company.
if you used the BitCoin, there's NO way you can get your money back!

Eventually, BP will be banned by all major giftcards, except for the Bit Coin!

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Sasha Foxx
, US
Aug 13, 2017 7:01 am EDT

Ditto. Just had one removed this morning like wtf

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D'sani Blue
, US
Aug 10, 2017 7:03 pm EDT

Me along with several other of girlfriends in the hobby have literally went through 20-30 ads each since March 2017. I've been posting on BP since 2011 and only had 2 community removed ads in which I emailed cs and they reimbursed my money within 24 hrs. Starting March 2017 they don't respond to any emails they don't refund and they a rapidly increasing how many times and how fast they remove our ads. This is crazy! Does anyone have any recommendations on other websites beside BP or Craigslist?

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Ms Sonya Says
, US
Aug 03, 2017 9:07 am EDT

They just started doing this to me the last 24 hours. what the hell is going on, ive been advertising without any problem for many years and have paid them many thousands of dollars.

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Bird1226
, US
Nov 04, 2017 4:09 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Let me know what's going on when u find out... Cause this just started happing to me

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Carol2017
, US
Jul 29, 2017 1:03 pm EDT

Same thing here. using the very same ads for years then 3 were took done. now I have sent 2 walmart gift cards have received no credits and no response

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Sasha Foxx
, US
Aug 13, 2017 7:00 am EDT
Replying to comment of Carol2017

Are your cards at least $100? I noticed they changed the minimum.. I also noticed when my card didn't load for awhile, I tried again and it did. they're pretty [censor] these days with customer svc

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RavenVandal
, CA
Jul 27, 2017 7:53 pm EDT

I have been posting in the escorts section for over 5 years. Never has this happened to me, but the past week it has happened twice. The first time, I completely overhauled my ad and removed my website info. Then it happened again. If it is competition, this should not be allowed. Many escorts are jealous, vindictive, competitive, obviously have low confidence if they do this. It is too easy for escorts to just flag each others' ads. Backpage should be reviewing these flagged ads first. I've contacted bp 3 times now, no response or refund. I'm quite worried as this is my living atm.

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Cd1976
, US
Feb 23, 2018 1:11 pm EST
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I found out that you can not have websites displayed anywhere in ads. Hope this helps

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Jaylin Jack
, US
Mar 30, 2018 3:31 am EDT
Replying to comment of Cd1976

So what do you put for the social media and profile area?

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Bill Cobb
, US
Jul 19, 2017 11:38 am EDT

Sadly it's not Back Page removing your ads, but your so-called competition, if they feel your doing better than them, .or they dislike you, they will report your ad & have it removed. It's like killing off the compeition.

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Amaku Ukpong
, US
Aug 04, 2017 7:45 am EDT
Replying to comment of Bill Cobb

Hi. The initial thought is that it is the competition but I have found that this is not the case. I'm a traveling wellness practitioner and I post ads in multiple cities and in all cities my ads get community removed . This is something only the people from Backpage could and would do. It's illogical to think that in every city in America, other massage therapists are more concerned with removing the ads of other therapists more than focusing on their own business. I imagine every focuses on having the most appealing ads they can have in order to draw in clients. It is definitely Backpage behind this scam.

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StefanieStripwell
, US
Nov 04, 2017 7:00 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Bill Cobb

It may also be evil asian spas yes, as they overcrowd the Houston area. They use fake photos for sure. One of my male friends would know.

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coffee-Tea Erector Coffee Erector
, US
Jul 13, 2017 10:38 pm EDT

I have been getting the same thing when I place an ad "community removed". I have sent several emails to the company and have called and left messages. however, I have not heard from anyone. they take our money and provide no service. when I mailed them a check to dallas, tx, they receive the check and credit my account. but as soon as an ad goes up"community removed". I think we all start sending letter to the attorney general office in texas since that is when payments are mail, and ask the attorney general office to look into this evil practice. the owners on bp were already hauled in before congress lately. as alisha monroe stated it is a crime to take people money and not provide a service. we need to bombard the texas state attorney's general office so they can look into this. I only say the texas attorney general because on bp website, that is where payments are mail. if anyone if up for this you can email me at quincy716@hotmail.com and I will prepare a letter that I can send to you and all you need to do is sign it and mail it. if you email me, please put "back page" in the subject line. bp needs to do their business right or not do it at all. sincerely quincy

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StefanieStripwell
, US
Nov 04, 2017 6:59 am EDT
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I'll do it!

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ExclusiveGFE
, US
Nov 04, 2017 3:54 pm EDT
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Their "executives" were indicated already... question is, will sending more letters to texas state attorney help bring them down?

If their executives are in prison, what the check will employees care?

These executives needed money to pay for the legal battle of their "wrong deeds" through human trafficking, pimping & distortion!

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Alisha Monroe
, US
Jul 01, 2017 3:52 pm EDT

The same thing happened to me just 4 days ago and they won't say why and I've been posting on Backpage since 2010 and no problems until now idk what the hell is going on but we need to boycott Backpage it's a crime to take people's money for no apparent reason Backpage is starting to suck i guess it's back to Craigslist and soon I'll be creating my own site where girls can post absolutely free no restrictions no limitations no scams email me if u want on the list jazminelee18@gmail.com name is Alisha Monroe

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somedude3
, US
Jun 22, 2017 2:10 am EDT

Same problem here.

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Alinaa
, US
May 31, 2017 7:44 pm EDT

Back page has been removing my ads started mainly in March.Then again May.I am glad to see this forum about it.I felt singled out and see that is not the case.Ali.[protected].Any woman can call me if they would like to talk about it.

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Mark Land
, US
May 12, 2017 1:01 pm EDT
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I put a comment above with the html code to hide the links but this comment section wouldn't except the code. So I will try again . Here It is again: Click Here If the code does not appear around the "click here" just email me at this address >>markasbury5@gmail.com

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Mark Land
, US
May 12, 2017 12:42 pm EDT
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Backpage is doing this to just about everyone. it all depends on your website link. especially affiliate links. backpage does not approve affiliate links. hide your links by using this html: click here works well on backpage. the only thing visible is the "click here". now backpage can't see your link. it's been working well for me.

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Da MoB Bos
, US
May 03, 2017 3:21 am EDT

My complaint is identical to the ones detailed here and I would like to receive a response to why and what is the reason behind them accepting my payment for posting my ad, then unalertingly and without notice my post is so called "community removed". without getting any such notice, I for the most part don't find out until I update my ad which is unavailable then, or on a few occasions I have received calls from once potentially buyers of my product. and they only are aware because after the initial interest they have returned to the site to view my item again to clarify there interest and upon so they notice it is no longer able to be viewed! what is going on? if there is any advice please contract or forward me the procedures... thank you
Carmen nugent
[protected]
Crowder4life28@gmail.com

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Alinaa
, US
May 31, 2017 7:36 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Da MoB Bos

I have alot of my ads removed in March and alot last week now.Never know why.It is disturbing that other ads get to stay up.I talked to other women that got ads removed too.I am tempted to set up a separate acct soon.

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Bird1226
, US
Sep 22, 2017 6:49 pm EDT
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Replying to comment of Da MoB Bos

How did it stop getting removed

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StefanieStripwell
, US
Nov 04, 2017 7:02 am EDT
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Replying to comment of Alinaa

Those ads may be cops. Maybe they are taking ours down so they can arrest men but no man wants an ugly cop.

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Lynne3000
, US
May 01, 2017 11:00 am EDT
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Backpage has been taking my cash also with out an explanation. I have been with BP since 2009 and never had a problem with them until March/April 2017. My paid ads are repeatedly taken down by the community. When I contact BP they put them up and it starts all over. I feel we can not trust BP with our cash if they can not explain what is going on. I'm founding out its happening to other girls. BP clean up your act and stop stealing our money.

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Bird1226
, US
Sep 22, 2017 1:40 pm EDT
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Replying to comment of Lynne3000

How did u get a Hold of them a start posting ad's?

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Cd1976
, US
Feb 23, 2018 1:10 pm EST
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Replying to comment of Lynne3000

I found out you can not have a website displayed anywhere in your ad.