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[coffeegranate]

Artists, let’s talk about Instagram commission scammers

There’s been a huge rise in commission scammers recently, mostly on Instagram. A lot of new artists don’t know what to look out for, so I figured this might help people.

How they begin

Usually the scammer will write to you asking about a commission. Something deceptively cute - mostly I encounter asks about pet portraits, with one or two photos sent. They’ll probably try to sell you a sweet little story, like “It’s for my son’s birthday”. They will insist that they love your artwork and style, even though they don’t follow you or never liked a single piece of your art.

What to look out for:

Their profiles will either be private, empty, or filled with very generic stuff, dating at most a few years back.

Their language will be very simple, rushed or downright bad. They might use weird emojis that nobody ever uses. They will probably send impatient “??” when you don’t answer immediately. They’re in a crunch - lots of people to scam, you know. 

They’ll give you absolutely no guidelines. No hints on style, contents aside from (usually) the pet and often a name written on the artwork, no theme. Anything you draw will be perfect. Full artistic freedom. In reality they don’t really care for this part.

They’ll offer you a ridiculous amount of money. Usually 100 or 300 USD (EDIT: I know it might not be a lot for some work. What I mean here - way higher than your asking price, 100 and 300 are standard rates they give). They’ll often put in a phrase like “I am willing to compensate you financially” and “I want the best you can draw”, peppered with vague praise. It will most likely sound way too good to be true. That’s because it is.

Where the scam actually happens

If you agree, they will ask you for a payment method. They’ll try to get to this part as soon as possible. 

Usually, they’ll insist on PayPal. And not just any PayPal. They’ll always insist on sending you a transfer immediately. None of that PayPal Invoice stuff (although some do have methods for that, too). They’ll really, REALLY want to get your PayPal email address and name for the transfer - that’s what they’re after. If you insist on any other method, they’ll just circle back to the transfer “for easiest method”. If you do provide them with the info, most likely you’ll soon get a scam email. It most likely be a message with a link that will ultimately lead to bleeding you dry. Never, and I mean NEVER click on any emails or links you get from them. It’s like with any other scam emails you can ever get.

A few things can happen here:

They overpay you and ask for the difference to be wired back. Usually it will go to a different account and you’ll never see that money again. 

They’ll overpay you “for shipping costs” and ask you to forward the difference to their shipping company. Just like before, you’ll never see that money again.

The actual owner of the account (yes, they most likely use stolen accounts to wire from) will realize there’s been something sketchy going on and request a refund via official channels. Your account will be charged with fees and/or you get in trouble for fraudulent transactions. 

You will transfer the money from your PayPal credit to your bank account and they will make a shitstorm when they want their money back, making your life a living hell. They will call you a scammer, a thief, make wild claims, wearing you down and forcing you into wiring money “back” - aka to their final destination account. 

Never, EVER wire money to anyone. This is not how it’s supposed to go. Use PayPal Invoice for secure exchanges where the client needs to provide you with their email, not the other way around.

You can find more info on that method HERE.

What to do when you encounter a scammer:

Ask the right questions: inquire about the style, which artwork of yours they like, as much details as you can. They won’t supply you with any good answers.

Don’t let the rush of the exchange, their praise and the promise of insanely good money to get to you. That’s how they operate, that’s how they make you lose vigilance. 

Don’t engage them. As soon as you realize it might be a scam, block them. The sense of urgency they create with their rushed exchange, and pressure they put on you will sooner or later get to you and you might do something that you’ll regret later.

Never wire money to anyone. Never give out your personal data. Never provide your email, name, address or credit card info. 

Don’t be deceived by receiving a payment, if you somehow agree to go along with it. Just because it’s there now doesn’t mean it can’t be withdrawn. 

Here is a very standard example of such an exchange. I realized it’s a scam pretty fast and went along with it, because I wanted good screenshots for you guys, so I tried going very “by the book” with it. 

Please share this post, make it reach as many artists as possible. Let young or inexperienced artists know that this is going on. So many people have no idea that this is a thing. Let’s help each other out. If you think I missed any relevant info, do add it as an rb!

Also, if you know other scam methods that you think should be shared, consider rb-ing this post with them below. Having a master post of scam protection would AWESOME to have in the art community.

[coffeegranate]

Hey there!

Fancy helping out a disabled trans artist? I’m currently holding a sale on my commissions while I’m struggling to find work. I’d really appreciate any support I can get!

All commissions will be fully coloured and shaded with a simple flat colour background

I take payments through paypal and prefer to receive it up front!

If you’re interested and want more info, feel free to DM me and check out my carrd for full t&cs! You can also check out my ko-fi if you’re interested in prints, charms and stickers!

[8 SLOTS LEFT]

[coffeegranate]

what is i animated for a change?

i really like the song Could Have Been Me by The Struts so i wanted to animate my little guy to it

[coffeegranate]

sometimes i remember i have ocs :)

[coffeegranate]

u r the living embodiment of the reduced aisle

it’s cause i’m a great deal and everyone wants me :)

[coffeegranate]

[coffeegranate]

Shanpes

i love shanpes thanks for the shanpes :)

[coffeegranate]

@naia10101 i’m so glad i love you

pov he’s about to play the sickest hand buzzer trick on you

i watched s1 of hazbin hotel and kinda loved it, so i wanted to give drawing alastor a go! i changed a few things for the sake of my style and headcanons but i’m actually pretty happy with this!

[coffeegranate]

pov he’s about to play the sickest hand buzzer trick on you

i watched s1 of hazbin hotel and kinda loved it, so i wanted to give drawing alastor a go! i changed a few things for the sake of my style and headcanons but i’m actually pretty happy with this!

[coffeegranate]

where’s the hero? there’s the hero! ⭐️

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it’s miku time again lads! i love this song and it’s video so much it was about time i made art for it

[coffeegranate]

where’s the hero? there’s the hero! ⭐️

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it’s miku time again lads! i love this song and it’s video so much it was about time i made art for it

[coffeegranate]

hey you guys should commission my friend, he’s awesome!!

Art Commissions - Price Update 2024!

Get your order in here! https://ko-fi.com/generalpedro/commissions

[coffeegranate]

have some mikus in this trying time

[coffeegranate]

Finally did some genshin fanart! started with hutao because i too have a love for death and spooky things

[coffeegranate]

redraw of my oc carmen to kick off the new year!

[coffeegranate]

yeeeees i’m so glad!!

hi there! i would like to inform you that the set list you gave me at the meet and greet in newcastle has been devoured and was very tasty :)

thank you for having such great music, you and Bug Hunter were an absolute blast and I had a great time!

(btw my partner says thank you for convincing me to watch fantasy high, im really enjoying it)

we laughed about that for the rest of the trip, it was the highlight of our night

and yes! fantasy high is the good shit

[coffeegranate]

going back to my origins and drawing these nerds! soul eater’s been a massive art inspo to me for as long as i’ve been drawing so it’s kinda fun to do art for it now and then and see how far i’ve come :)