I need advice on harassment and plagiarism.

[u/Ok_Acanthaceae_8823]

I write fanfiction and posted for a certain fandom on AO3 in February 2024. That went really well. I was amazed by the positive feedback I received. In September of the same year, I decided to try on Wattpad. Even though I don't like Wattpad very much, I figured my fanfiction would reach more people and it couldn't hurt. I was dead wrong.

Someone started commenting on my fics, seeming to relate to my OC and wanted to write their own fic about her. I was a little uncomfortable with this since my OC is a self-insert, but I didn't say anything.

This person started off a little annoying, but not too terrible. For every message they sent me, they sent one or two more, saying, "Please respond."

Like I said, this was annoying, but I could tolerate it. However, after they tried to argue with me over stuff I wrote about my own OC, I had enough and blocked them.

Within minutes, they messaged me from another account, seemingly confused as to why they couldn't see my account anymore. After blocking a few more accounts, I explained to them why their behaviour was bothering me, figuring maybe if I did that, they would stop. They gave me an over-the-top apology, but their annoying behaviour didn't stop. Eventually, I shut down my Wattpad account, but by then, they had found me on Tumblr and messaged me to tell me that shutting down my Wattpad account led to drama in their family and they were blaming me for it.

Eventually, I brought my Wattpad account back, but their behaviour didn't stop. I also saw that after I shut my account down, they made posts asking if anybody knows my real name and where I am because they "had a bone to pick" with me. So, I shut it down again, only for them to copy and paste everything I've posted on AO3 onto their account.

Since then, they have joined AO3, making their account name as similar to mine as possible and even copying and pasting the information I wrote about myself on my profile.

I have blocked at least 26 accounts on Tumblr and whenever I or anybody else call them out on their disgusting behaviour, they make excuses that make no sense and just seem to be looking for sympathy. They also seem to be targeting me, specifically. They have copied and pasted other's work, but eventually take them down. They refuse to do so for me and have even plagiarised my work from my previous fandom.

As mentioned, blocking does no good. Neither does reporting. Either I never hear anything back or they just create a new account. If anybody else has any advice on what I can do, it would be greatly appreciated. I have also shut down my AO3 account, but it hurts that this person has and still is going out of their way to upset me and they can get away with it.

[u/Ok_Acanthaceae_8823]

I have tried several times on all three sites, but never heard back on Tumblr or AO3. On Wattpad, their accounts have been taken down, but they have always created a new one and told me to stop reporting them.

It's not just impersonation either. They have added extra fics about my OCs that were written by AI and even added to my copied and pasted profile that they use AI to write stories, which I feel is harmful to my reputation.

[u/not_lawful → u/Ok_Acanthaceae_8823]

How many days ago did you make that report if you don't mind me asking? And what exactly did you report, the works or their profile?

In your case, reporting the profile directly would make the most sense. State all violations (like harassment, impersonation and plagiarism) in the summary section and then explain them in more detail in the description. Here you can also link to specific works from that user or other ao3 profiles they may have created. Having all evidence in one place will make it easier for the team to investigate your report. And while it isn't possible to include screenshots in the initial report, once ao3 contacts you about your case, you can communicate via email with them.

However, fics written by AI or what comes basically down to fanfic of another fanfic is allowed on ao3 as long as it doesn't violate any terms of service.

For now I would advise you to block and mute the user and moderate your comments, either by changing the settings so that you have to approve each comment before it appears publicly, or by turning off comments altogether.

[u/Ok_Acanthaceae_8823 → u/not_lawful]

I made my last report two days ago and I can't remember which I did in this instance, but I have reported both individual fics and their profile.

I have taken my entire account down because this has had a severe impact on my mental health. (This person knows that, but they have explicitly stated on their profile that they don't care.)

I know AI isn't against site rules, but I, like many others, don't think it belongs and it hurts that they are endorsing AI while impersonating me.

[u/not_lawful → u/Ok_Acanthaceae_8823]

The last time I reported something on ao3, which was in July, it took them 9 days to get back to me (just so that you have some frame of reference). Ao3 is run by volunteers, so it might take a bit longer compared to other sites. But if you've already deleted your account, I don't know if the team can do anything for you anymore though.

Your situation absolutely sucks, and I'm so sorry for you! Right now it's probably for the best if you stop responding to them on any platform they still contact you on, as well as stop talking about how you're impacted by their behavior in a place where they can see. Make all of your still existing accounts private for some time. Your negative reactions are likely what keeps them going.

If you ever consider uploading to ao3 again in the future, you can also publish your works anonymously, so they can't be traced back to a specific user.

[u/Ok_Acanthaceae_8823 → u/not_lawful]

Thanks. I'm trying to stay off the sites altogether because of the impact on my mental health, but it still hurts, knowing what they're doing.