Notes on scams, buyer vetting, and running a safer freelance practice. Written for working artists.
If you’re a digital artist, especially one working in games or 3D, you’ve probably heard some version of this story from a friend, or lived it yourself. It doesn’t start with a threat or a suspicious link. It starts with someone telling you your work is exactly what they need. The…
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The Hook The email usually opens with flattery and a big number attached to it. In this case, someone claiming to be a “Senior Grant Coordinator” at something called the International Art Institute (or the name of a real foundation) reaches out directly, says she’s reviewed your…
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If you post your art, animations, or short clips on TikTok or Instagram Reels, you’ve probably gotten a message like this: some account with a vague name, a decent follower count, and a profile picture of a logo instead of a person, asking if they can repost your video to their page. Sounds…
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There is a specific scam making the rounds in art communities right now, and it follows a pattern predictable enough that once you know it, you will spot it from a mile away. Here’s how it works. The Hook It usually starts with someone reaching out about a commission. The catch is the price.…
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The Hook It usually starts with flattery. A stranger reaches out, tells you your work is incredible, and says you’re clearly undercharging for it. Then comes the number. Instead of your usual rate for a piece, they offer something way beyond it. Maybe you charge $50 for a headshot and…
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Ugh, I hate crypto. It’s a scammer’s dream, because it’s irreversible and untraceable (somewhat). And anyone with any kind of crypto holdings is under heavy targeting by scammers and phishing attacks. The number of scammers using this tactic has dropped over the years, since most artists have been…
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If you sell physical art or commissions online, you’ve probably had a client ask for something slightly unusual about shipping. Most of the time it’s harmless. Sometimes it’s the opening move of a scam that’s been doing the rounds in art communities for years, and it still…
Read moreIf you’ve been making art long enough to build any kind of public presence, you’ve probably gotten a message that felt a little too good to be true. Maybe they’re offering you free supplies or equipment worth thousands of dollars. Whatever the pitch, there’s a pattern behind…
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If you take commissions online, there’s a scam pattern you’ll probably run into sooner or later. It’s common enough that I think it’s worth breaking down step by step, kind of like debugging a recurring bug. Once you see the pattern, it’s a lot easier to catch it…
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Hook It starts with flattery and a number. A “client” says they’ve been following your art and want to hire you for ongoing work, sometimes as much as two finished pieces a day. That’s a full-time gig, out of nowhere, from a stranger. The rate sounds generous, and it’s…
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Intro