📬 When to Contact Staff

Before contacting any Admin or Staff member, you are expected to read this entire Help Document.

Hack Forums has millions of members. Staff time is limited.

We maintain extensive Help Docs that already answer the vast majority of questions. If your question is answered elsewhere and you still contact staff, do not expect a response.

Read. Then read again.

❓ Common Questions

Can I contact Admins about popularity rating abuse?

Only after you have carefully read the applicable policies.

Start here:
Popularity System Help Doc

If a popularity rating does not violate policy, it will not be removed.

My account was stolen. How do I recover it?

Read the following Help Document in full:

Stolen and Lost HF Accounts

Your best option is to use the contact form and provide detailed, accurate information.

Who do I contact about my L33t or Ub3r upgrade?

Read the upgrade Help Document:

Upgrading to L33t or Ub3r

I want an award. Who do I ask?

You must read the Awards Help Document:

Awards Help Doc

Who do I contact to sticky my thread?

You do not.

We do not take sticky suggestions from members. We limit stickies intentionally.

If you are interested in a paid sticky, read:

Advertising with Hack Forums

I know a member is ban evading. How do I report it?

Contact Staff or an Admin via private message.

Your identity will remain confidential.

I know a member is abusing popularity ratings. Who do I contact?

First, confirm the behavior qualifies as abuse under:

Popularity System Help Doc

If it does, contact Staff or an Admin via PM and include evidence.

I want to donate. I can’t find a link.

You must privately message the owner Admin:

PM the Owner Admin

I received a warning I believe was unfair. Can it be removed?

Unlikely.

If you have questions, PM the staff member who issued the warning.

You can view warning details by visiting your profile and clicking your warning percentage.

I filed a report but no action was taken. Should I contact staff directly?

No.

If the report option is still available, you may report again. If it is unavailable, the report is still in queue or staff determined no action was required.

I have a great idea for Hack Forums. Who should I contact?

Do not PM staff.

Post your idea in the Suggestions forum.

I want to become a moderator or staff member. How do I apply?

Start here:

Becoming Staff

A member is harassing me via private message. Can I complain to staff?

No.

Use your Ignore List. Once ignored, that member can no longer PM you.

Someone is threatening to release my private information (DOX). Can you help?

Hack Forums prohibits posting private information.

However, we cannot take action based on off-site activity. While we sympathize, there is very little we can do in these cases.

I’m receiving spam PM advertisements. How do I report them?

Forward the PM to any Staff or Admin member.

These reports are reviewed immediately.

I have a legitimate complaint about a staff member. Can I report it?

Yes.

You may PM an Admin with your complaint.

Be aware that disagreement with moderation does not automatically mean staff acted incorrectly. Complaints are reviewed, and action will be taken if necessary.

Can I PM staff to change my username, edit posts, or remove threads?

No.

These are subscriber-only privileges. Granting them via staff request would be unfair to paying members.

Such requests are ignored.

See:
Upgrading to L33t or Ub3r

I don’t see my question answered in the Help Docs. Can I contact staff?

If you have genuinely read all relevant Help Docs, then yes.

Proceed carefully.

What happens if I contact staff about something already covered in the Help Docs?

Your message will likely be ignored.

You may receive a negative popularity rating, or possibly a warning.

Contacting staff is not a substitute for reading the Help Docs.

Use staff time responsibly.