Funny you should mention this. Just today I got one of those emails (my spam filter caught it and I could read the first couple lines as a preview without opening it) and deleted it immediately. It is really a cruel practice and I'm sure these scammers know how tenuous artists finances can be. It's as bad as those who target older people who might not be so internet savvy. I'm glad you didn't lose money, in addition to the work time you lost. It really stinks that there are people who would do this.
I would've fallen for it too. I had a client cancel on me halfway through the project and it just cuts to the core. It's so hard to separate the business side from the personal side in the arts. Our style is uniquely ours and so is a part of ourselves. It's a hard thing to let go of. Clients also tend to rush the interactions and always have deadlines that are unrealistic. To them, it's a project that they can accomplish with a phone call, email, or meeting. For us, it's time spent on ideation, research, development, further communication, revisions, and finalization. It takes many hats and Time. Being pushy is what a lot of clients do, so it's hard to know if it's a scam. Wow, that got long. I'm glad it was resolved without costing you money. It's a bummer that it took up your time, and hopes, but scam artists know how to prey on our vulnerabilities. That doesn't mean you don't do impressive work.
Oh no, sorry you got put through the wringer like this! Don't be too hard on yourself. I've seen a bunch of articles like yours (none with adorable illustrations like yours!) re: this specific scam. Why can't we just have nice things?
I fell for a really similar, really stupid scam while trying to buy pet rabbits. The person on the other end asked me SO MANY good questions about rabbits, my home setup for them, confirmed vaccines, everything. When it came time to pick them up, they demanded payment before I’d arrived. Then the address to pick them up changed. Then a million texts demanding payment, refunds, etc. I was only out $50 and 2 hours of driving by the end of it but god, I felt so stupid.
I got this same email scam several years ago but I never even made it to the contract phase bc once he described paying me more so I could pay him back some, my scammer senses were tingling and I cut communication right away. It sucks people are coming up with such niche manipulation tactics. Because of this I almost missed out on other projects that were legit bc I no longer feel like I can trust projects like this. Glad you didn’t lose any money but sucks you lost so much time. Thanks for using your platform to share awareness. I did the same to warn others but don’t have any kind of audience.
I'm so sorry this happened! We had the same thing happen with our business (and our bank actually put a sign up in their branches after our experience). Ugh. But we still choose to be open-hearted because the cost of being otherwise is too great. And so we grow in learning to trust OURSELVES (still working on it!) I find it perfect synchronous that I just did a post on How Do I Ever Trust Again? Thanks so much for posting so vulnerably. You're not alone!
It felt like I made a difference! And so often when we've been scanned we have the feeling of powerlessness. The sign in all the banks made me feel powerful. Additionally I shared on the show, The Sunny Side of Staging, that I was co-hosting at the time. When I feel shame, I'm mindful that others do too. To talk about this openly is healing for those who speak and for those who listen.
Oh I’m so sorry this happened to you! But don’t doubt yourself, your smartness, your talent as an artist or your ability to secure good and amazing projects!! you got it all!
UGH, I HATE THAT FEELING. And I hate this happened to you. I almost fell victim to a Paypal scam once. I was on the phone with a person and he said he needed to remote into my computer. NEVER, ever let anyone remote in!
We get at least two attempts a day at my work. They are creative, sneaky, and sometimes downright diabolical !! I'm so glad yours had a happy ending, but I can sure understand feeling unsettled after this interaction! Just know that the "deposit my check, now send me a refund" scam is a classic! You won't fall for that one again!
this is horrible! thank you for sharing so that other creatives know what to look out for, but I'm so sorry this happened to you. people truly suck sometimes.
Oh no Haley!I’m so sorry and thank you for sharing!
Thank you! It’s scary out there 🙃
I went through a very similar scam a year or two ago !
Nooooo! I hope you got out unscathed
Thank you! Yes luckily I did. I felt so seen with this post especially since I’d been pretty embarrassed about it hah
It’s so embarrassing! But so good to talk about (in hopes others don’t fall for the same one!)
Funny you should mention this. Just today I got one of those emails (my spam filter caught it and I could read the first couple lines as a preview without opening it) and deleted it immediately. It is really a cruel practice and I'm sure these scammers know how tenuous artists finances can be. It's as bad as those who target older people who might not be so internet savvy. I'm glad you didn't lose money, in addition to the work time you lost. It really stinks that there are people who would do this.
I would've fallen for it too. I had a client cancel on me halfway through the project and it just cuts to the core. It's so hard to separate the business side from the personal side in the arts. Our style is uniquely ours and so is a part of ourselves. It's a hard thing to let go of. Clients also tend to rush the interactions and always have deadlines that are unrealistic. To them, it's a project that they can accomplish with a phone call, email, or meeting. For us, it's time spent on ideation, research, development, further communication, revisions, and finalization. It takes many hats and Time. Being pushy is what a lot of clients do, so it's hard to know if it's a scam. Wow, that got long. I'm glad it was resolved without costing you money. It's a bummer that it took up your time, and hopes, but scam artists know how to prey on our vulnerabilities. That doesn't mean you don't do impressive work.
Aaaa! I loved your illustrations for this! And thank you for sharing a tough story.
Thank you!!!
Oh no, sorry you got put through the wringer like this! Don't be too hard on yourself. I've seen a bunch of articles like yours (none with adorable illustrations like yours!) re: this specific scam. Why can't we just have nice things?
I don’t know!! It’s such a bummer 😭
I fell for a really similar, really stupid scam while trying to buy pet rabbits. The person on the other end asked me SO MANY good questions about rabbits, my home setup for them, confirmed vaccines, everything. When it came time to pick them up, they demanded payment before I’d arrived. Then the address to pick them up changed. Then a million texts demanding payment, refunds, etc. I was only out $50 and 2 hours of driving by the end of it but god, I felt so stupid.
Oof!!! That is so brutal, oh my god
I got this same email scam several years ago but I never even made it to the contract phase bc once he described paying me more so I could pay him back some, my scammer senses were tingling and I cut communication right away. It sucks people are coming up with such niche manipulation tactics. Because of this I almost missed out on other projects that were legit bc I no longer feel like I can trust projects like this. Glad you didn’t lose any money but sucks you lost so much time. Thanks for using your platform to share awareness. I did the same to warn others but don’t have any kind of audience.
I'm so sorry to hear they tried to get you too (and thus have scarred your trust—I feel that way too!). We keep each other aware!
I'm so sorry this happened! We had the same thing happen with our business (and our bank actually put a sign up in their branches after our experience). Ugh. But we still choose to be open-hearted because the cost of being otherwise is too great. And so we grow in learning to trust OURSELVES (still working on it!) I find it perfect synchronous that I just did a post on How Do I Ever Trust Again? Thanks so much for posting so vulnerably. You're not alone!
I love that your bank took action like that! Here's to open-heartedness <3
It felt like I made a difference! And so often when we've been scanned we have the feeling of powerlessness. The sign in all the banks made me feel powerful. Additionally I shared on the show, The Sunny Side of Staging, that I was co-hosting at the time. When I feel shame, I'm mindful that others do too. To talk about this openly is healing for those who speak and for those who listen.
totally agree!
Oh I’m so sorry this happened to you! But don’t doubt yourself, your smartness, your talent as an artist or your ability to secure good and amazing projects!! you got it all!
This is so nice :') Thank you so much, Giuliana!
UGH, I HATE THAT FEELING. And I hate this happened to you. I almost fell victim to a Paypal scam once. I was on the phone with a person and he said he needed to remote into my computer. NEVER, ever let anyone remote in!
Rene, I'm coming for you!
It feels SO HEIGHTENED in the moment, and then you take a step back and it feels so obvious that it's fraudulent. Sigh!!!
Glad we're both on the other side of it :)
We get at least two attempts a day at my work. They are creative, sneaky, and sometimes downright diabolical !! I'm so glad yours had a happy ending, but I can sure understand feeling unsettled after this interaction! Just know that the "deposit my check, now send me a refund" scam is a classic! You won't fall for that one again!
They're everywhere! I will DEFINITELY not fall for it again — taking it as a learning experience for sure.
Sorry that happened to you. Scammers are terrible.
Thank you Vicki <3
Omg just watched a 9 series TikTok (!!!) where she detailed getting scammed too!! Ugh whyyyyy😩 so glad it didn’t go through!❤️🩹
I love those long form storytelling Tiktoks! I get sucked in.
And me too!
Thank you for sharing this!!! It sounds so scary to go through. Glad to hear you didn’t lose any money! Also your work IS incredible!
This is so nice :) Thank you, Nina!
this is horrible! thank you for sharing so that other creatives know what to look out for, but I'm so sorry this happened to you. people truly suck sometimes.
They do! I appreciate you. Also, can't remember if you were at work when the tax scam happened... but that was at the job we had together lol
I DO REMEMBER THAT! you were so scared!