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A question was asked, and an answer was provided. It has 60 upvotes, when no other answer has a score of 0 or higher. However, this answer is false, and if the OP follows this advice, they are very likely to get into legal trouble. I got charged with misrepresentation for following this exact advice. Should I upload a PDF of my charge, as proof? Or is anecdotal evidence from others also charged with misrepresentation enough?

Also, what is the appropriate course of action here? Should I leave a comment, flag this post, and/or edit this answer to add something similar to "THIS ANSWER IS FALSE: see comment below" at the top?

Same exact answer here.

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  • As a first step why not post a comment similar to the one you posted on the second question/answer and see if the poster of the highly rated answer reacts?
    – mdewey
    Nov 12, 2018 at 17:24
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    Downvote and post your own answer.
    – JoErNanO Mod
    Nov 12, 2018 at 17:38
  • @mdewey Thanks! The poster modified their answer to say that this doesn't answer the original question, but outlined the types of cases where this answer would apply: so this would avoid giving people advice to do something with legal repercussions.
    – Alex
    Nov 12, 2018 at 18:12
  • Possible duplicate of Answer was upvoted, accepted, bountied... and wrong
    – gerrit
    Nov 19, 2018 at 14:23

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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Don't flag. It's not up to the mods to decide if it's correct or not - we can't be experts in everything and know the 'truth'.

Step 1 - downvote.

Step 2 - COMMENT. ALWAYS COMMENT IF YOU DOWNVOTE. Explain (politely) why it's wrong.

Step 3 - add your own answer, explain why it's correct, with evidence, and watch the votes flow in (hopefully).

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  • 12
    "Always comment if you downvote": this is certainly good etiquette, but it is not Stack Exchange policy unless something has changed. It is also within the bounds of good etiquette to upvote a comment that explains your downvote, if there is one, instead of posting a new comment.
    – phoog
    Nov 13, 2018 at 18:14
  • @phoog of course, if a preexisting one covers it. It's just frustrating to see an answer/question on -4 and with no comments whatsoever.
    – Mark Mayo
    Nov 21, 2018 at 21:35
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    I agree completely. I wish there were stricter requirements around this. If an answer is downvoted without comment I usually post a comment either suggesting why I think the answer was voted down, if I can think of a possible reason, or asking why the answer was downvoted in the hope that someone will explain.
    – phoog
    Nov 21, 2018 at 21:37

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