Phone numbers

Local moderator teams should handle this issue in whatever way they feel comfortable with. Many communities don't allow members to include personal details in their posts, such as phone numbers, suggesting instead that they only share this information when arranging collection.

Some communities allow mobile numbers only, others allow any contact information in a post. Communities that don't normally allow phone numbers are occasionally willing to make exceptions - for instance, when someone is moving house and about to have their internet disconnected.

Advantages

• Can speed up collection when members need to get rid of goods quickly.
• Makes Freegle more accessible to people who don't have good internet access.
• Lets members make their own choices about how much information they feel safe giving.

Disadvantages

• There are safety risks, particularly for new members, or members who don't realise they're potentially sharing their details with thousands of other people. There have also been cases where posts have been copied to other forums, further circulating a phone number.
• There have been reports of people using Freegle to play practical jokes, by offering very valuable items and leaving someone else's number. This is more of a problem on larger communities.
• Occasionally there are premium-rate number scams.

Tip: if you do choose to allow phone numbers, mention the safety issues in your members' handbook. Also make clear that a member includes their phone number at their own risk, and that the result can be overwhelming if a valuable item is offered - late-night calls, calls days after the item has gone, and so on.

If you decide you're not okay with public phone numbers and need a sample message, you can use the ones at Sample message: Personal details.

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