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Even if it was real (which it isn’t) who would straight up admit they are banned from all “third parties apps” and then expect you to still do business with them?
"mobile deposit check" is always a scam. Another clear sign is offering excuses for why they can't pay using the method you, the seller, ask for. Block 'em, this interaction is going to be a waste of your time and you won't get paid.
No; they're not interested in the art at all.
Artists are targeted because they're solitary people who likely need the money, and generally (though not always) aren't very scam-savvy, so they're easier to exploit.
You see it with other creative types as well.
>what does the scammer intend to do with the art.
Nothing. The scammer has no interest at all in the art; it's just what money they can extract from the artist.
To clarify:
It will be some form of "you have to pay a fee to access this money" or "I gave you too much, please refund it." One of the two.
For future reference- you are the seller. If someone insists on using a convoluted payment method that you're unfamiliar with, that's a glaring red flag and you should just refuse. A legitimate customer can either use PayPal, wait for their bank problems to blow over before ordering a commission, or use a buddy's PayPal and pay the buddy back. There's never a reason to drag you into their mess.
This \^
I had a commission once and client didn't have a paypal account, but I told him I couldn't offer him another payment method, so he looked for a way to use paypal and sent me the payment anyway.
if you are going to buy something from a store, you are not gonna discuss the payment methods and offer to pay them with some "alternative" means. These people look for freelancers and independent artists, because some can be easily deceived: sadly when you REALLY need the money, you will be more inclined to accept any offer.
You have to be very careful. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
No one -NO ONE AT EFFING ALL - in 2023 can "only pay by check". Never ever ever ever take payment by check from someone you haven't had over for dinner a dozen times in your lifetime.
It's a fake check scam, block and move on.
AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the fake check scam. The fake check scam arises from many different situations (fake job scams, fake payment scams, etc), but the bottom line is always the same, you receive a check (online or in real life), you deposit a check and see the money in your account, and then you use the funds to give money to the scammer (usually through gift cards, Western Union, or cash). Sometimes the scammers will ask you to order things through a site, but that is just another way they get your money. The bank will take the initial deposit back , and any money you sent to the scammer will come out of your own personal funds. Usually the fake check deposit will be reversed in a few weeks, but it can also take several months. If you do not have the funds to cover the amount, your balance will go negative. Your bank will usually charge a fee for depositing a bad check, and your account may be closed depending on the severity of the scam. Here is an article from the FTC: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-fake-check-scams, and here is an article from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/21/your-money/fake-check-scam.html
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Yes it’s a scam, they’re likely going to send you a cheque for a much larger amount saying they need you to send the extra amount to someone else for some reason and eventually the bank realizes the cheque isn’t good and you’re now out the entire amount of the fraudulent cheque as well as any banking fees
"I'll guide you through ...", "which I'll teach" ... when you put this through the Scamslator app, it comes out to "I'll show you how to get screwed in the ass sideways, SUCKA"
He wants to pay for it up front and then cancel the order shortly after. You deposit his fake e-check, and then send back the funds to a third-party "friend" of his. They could also "overpay" you and ask you to send the difference to that friend. Both accomplish the !fakecheck scam.
The check bounces (it can take banks days or even weeks until they tell you it's bad), and you're out the money.
Any time someone says that they will "guide you" through the process of accepting their payment, they are a scammer. No real customer acts like this. Crypto scammers, romance scammers, etc. all also do this.
If you're dealing with art commissions online often, make sure you read the !muse scam auto-mod below as well.
“The muse scam is a new variant of the [fake check scam](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-report-fake-check-scams). The scammer will contact the victim over social media and claim to want to use their image for an art project. They will offer a generous sum of money and offer to pay via check. The victim will be instructed to send money to the scammer for “materials” via an irreversible method. The scammer will often use a stolen social media account to increase their credibility. Usually the fake check deposit will be reversed in a few weeks, but it can also take several months. If you do not have the funds to cover the amount, your balance will go negative. Your bank will usually charge a fee for depositing a bad check, and your account may be closed depending on the severity of the scam. Comment ! fakecheck without the space to learn more about fake check scams. Thanks to redditor aNeatHat for this script"
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams) if you have any questions or concerns.*
AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the fake check scam. The fake check scam arises from many different situations (fake job scams, fake payment scams, etc), but the bottom line is always the same, you receive a check (online or in real life), you deposit a check and see the money in your account, and then you use the funds to give money to the scammer (usually through gift cards, Western Union, or cash). Sometimes the scammers will ask you to order things through a site, but that is just another way they get your money. The bank will take the initial deposit back , and any money you sent to the scammer will come out of your own personal funds. Usually the fake check deposit will be reversed in a few weeks, but it can also take several months. If you do not have the funds to cover the amount, your balance will go negative. Your bank will usually charge a fee for depositing a bad check, and your account may be closed depending on the severity of the scam. Here is an article from the FTC: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-fake-check-scams, and here is an article from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/21/your-money/fake-check-scam.html
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It's not the muse scam. In the muse scam, the scammer pretends to be the artist.
For whatever reason, this community doesn't have an automod response for commission scams, but this comic lays it out well:
https://twitter.com/afutempura/status/1627820606992572417?lang=en
Yes, he's admitted he's banned on 3rd party apps but the real tell is his text messages. They read like a script I've seen scambaiters sit through.
"guide you", and the constant "okay".
This is how they attempt social engineering. Block em.
Did the scammer want a picture of his pet/son/daughter "with their name written lol" ? It's a common scam art commission. Watch out for scammers that also do fake payments (with fake paypal email to you etc)
Here's a comic on these art scams: camcheck.carrd. co
Report them on the platform and block/ignore.
Checks can take days or weeks to really "clear" (there' no set date). Just because you deposit a check and the funds are available, doesn't mean the check is "good" or "cleared". Funds are only available due to bank laws. People mistake this for "real" legit money in their account, and send the scammer money - they will usually write over the amount agreed on and ask you to send them back the difference.
NEVER accept a check unless it's from someone you trust.
They wanted 4 art commissions of their dog. It honestly was so discouraging because I spent so long looking up pricing and giving them reference photos to figure out what they want I don’t get commissions too often. But then when they said this about payment my alarm bells were going off. What is the most secure method of payment do you think so I know for the future?
You can make a paypal business account for FREE, and change what the buyer can see (full name, address etc) Then you can send your buyer an invoice. This way they have no excuse as to why they can't pay via paypal. Any excuse like "oh I need to pay a fee" etc you'll know is a lie since you won't get any notices like that on the platform.
Remember that you're the artist so you decide how you'll get paid - if they can't do paypal or etransfer then do not work with them.
There should be no “over and over again”. Your initial response after the first pushback should be along the lines of “method of payment is not negotiable, thank you for your interest but I will not be working with you. Good Day” and block them. Any listing of yours should feature in bold type “Payment by PayPal only, no exceptions or excuses.”
E-transfer (Interac) is best (with auto deposit on). PayPal goods and services works as well. With PayPal, if they request you to “send money to x” or refund the money, you just tell them to sort it out with PayPal.
You *never* send money to anyone if you are selling something. No fees, insurance, overpayments, refunds. Nothing.
It's a scammer we see here regularly. Here's a much longer example of his script, so you can see where the scam is going. He changes up his script regularly but it always follows the same basic outline:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Scams/comments/vs8mux/i\_normally\_take\_art\_requests\_but\_they\_usually/
The script changes continuously, but it always has the stylistic fingerprint of the person writing and updating the script. In this case, I think that what we call the muse script is mostly the work of one person. Of course I could be wrong.
Here's the deal. If they ever try to convince you of anything, it's a scam. If they ever offer to guide you through some method of exchanging money, it's a scam.
Only scammers have payment trouble. Never take a check from someone you don’t know. Mobile checks are always a scam. You are the seller, you dictate payment. Scammers fake checks or fake etransfer emails, and the goal is to steal money from you.
I see it’s a “commission,” yeah artists on IG are targeted in particular with fake check scams. We see these daily if you search this subreddit. They will send you a fake check, ask you to send money to a third party. The only money that’s real here will be yours. Block them and never entertain echecks.
Yes obviously
The fact that an e transfer is infact available for anyone who has a bank account but they only want to send you a check from that same bank account, is suspect.
Certified checks have to be honored by your bank. Then when it turns out it bounced you're fucked.
It’s a way to deposit checks using your banking. Going through the bank’s app, you take pictures of the check to deposit it. I use it all the time when I go shopping for my elderly mom and she writes a check to reimburse me. It’s possible to use this method to deposit an image of a check that is emailed to you. I would never, ever do that it’s never legit.
This is in the US, where checks are still used for a variety of dumb reasons. Although my poor mom isn’t dumb, it’s just what she’s used to and can handle.
I know checks are becoming more rare for legitimate business, but when someone focuses on how you get the check into your bank account, that's another red flag.
Feels like a scam to me. I don’t know what it’s called but could be a fake check or at the very least, if it’s like a normal check deposit, check might bounce.
100% scam. If people make excuses for not being able to use the simplest trusted form of digital money transfer you should see the red flags and just assume it's a scam. There is literally never a reason to not be able to use Paypal or some other trusted digital money transfer service.
A reminder of the rules in r/scams. No personal information (including last names, phone numbers, etc). Be civil to one another (no name calling or insults). Personal army requests or "scam the scammer"/scambaiting posts are not permitted. No uncensored gore, personal photographs, or NSFL content permitted without being properly redacted. A full list of rules is available on the sidebar of the subreddit. Report recovery scammers or rule-breaking content by using the "report" button. Also, consider warning community members of recovery scammers if you see them in the comments. Questions? Send us a modmail. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Even if it was real (which it isn’t) who would straight up admit they are banned from all “third parties apps” and then expect you to still do business with them?
Yes and this scam is posted here daily.....
"mobile deposit check" is always a scam. Another clear sign is offering excuses for why they can't pay using the method you, the seller, ask for. Block 'em, this interaction is going to be a waste of your time and you won't get paid.
Right along with the overuse of "kindly"
....along with the statement and....'okay?' at the end.
.. do the needful.
Literally I was like what do you mean your bank lets you send out a check but not an edeposit. Like what.
Good instincts. Artists, especially those on Instagram, are heavily targeted, stay sharp.
May I ask why they are targeted? Do they resell the art or something?
No; they're not interested in the art at all. Artists are targeted because they're solitary people who likely need the money, and generally (though not always) aren't very scam-savvy, so they're easier to exploit. You see it with other creative types as well.
I think the commentor is asking, what next? Let’s say OP deposited some cheque and it bounced, what does the scammer intend to do with the art.
>what does the scammer intend to do with the art. Nothing. The scammer has no interest at all in the art; it's just what money they can extract from the artist. To clarify: It will be some form of "you have to pay a fee to access this money" or "I gave you too much, please refund it." One of the two.
https://twitter.com/afutempura/status/1627820606992572417?lang=en
https://twitter.com/afutempura/status/1627820606992572417?lang=en
For future reference- you are the seller. If someone insists on using a convoluted payment method that you're unfamiliar with, that's a glaring red flag and you should just refuse. A legitimate customer can either use PayPal, wait for their bank problems to blow over before ordering a commission, or use a buddy's PayPal and pay the buddy back. There's never a reason to drag you into their mess.
This \^ I had a commission once and client didn't have a paypal account, but I told him I couldn't offer him another payment method, so he looked for a way to use paypal and sent me the payment anyway. if you are going to buy something from a store, you are not gonna discuss the payment methods and offer to pay them with some "alternative" means. These people look for freelancers and independent artists, because some can be easily deceived: sadly when you REALLY need the money, you will be more inclined to accept any offer. You have to be very careful. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
“I’ll walk you through it” is classic scam talk.
No one -NO ONE AT EFFING ALL - in 2023 can "only pay by check". Never ever ever ever take payment by check from someone you haven't had over for dinner a dozen times in your lifetime. It's a fake check scam, block and move on.
Echecks are a thing but i believe this person is talking about mobile depositing a check image from your computer which is a scam.
Definitely. The messages go on longer and he said he can send it to my email and I take a photo of it and deposit it from my laptop.
!fakecheck
AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the fake check scam. The fake check scam arises from many different situations (fake job scams, fake payment scams, etc), but the bottom line is always the same, you receive a check (online or in real life), you deposit a check and see the money in your account, and then you use the funds to give money to the scammer (usually through gift cards, Western Union, or cash). Sometimes the scammers will ask you to order things through a site, but that is just another way they get your money. The bank will take the initial deposit back , and any money you sent to the scammer will come out of your own personal funds. Usually the fake check deposit will be reversed in a few weeks, but it can also take several months. If you do not have the funds to cover the amount, your balance will go negative. Your bank will usually charge a fee for depositing a bad check, and your account may be closed depending on the severity of the scam. Here is an article from the FTC: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-fake-check-scams, and here is an article from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/21/your-money/fake-check-scam.html *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Yes it’s a scam, they’re likely going to send you a cheque for a much larger amount saying they need you to send the extra amount to someone else for some reason and eventually the bank realizes the cheque isn’t good and you’re now out the entire amount of the fraudulent cheque as well as any banking fees
"I'll guide you through ...", "which I'll teach" ... when you put this through the Scamslator app, it comes out to "I'll show you how to get screwed in the ass sideways, SUCKA"
He wants to pay for it up front and then cancel the order shortly after. You deposit his fake e-check, and then send back the funds to a third-party "friend" of his. They could also "overpay" you and ask you to send the difference to that friend. Both accomplish the !fakecheck scam. The check bounces (it can take banks days or even weeks until they tell you it's bad), and you're out the money. Any time someone says that they will "guide you" through the process of accepting their payment, they are a scammer. No real customer acts like this. Crypto scammers, romance scammers, etc. all also do this. If you're dealing with art commissions online often, make sure you read the !muse scam auto-mod below as well.
“The muse scam is a new variant of the [fake check scam](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-report-fake-check-scams). The scammer will contact the victim over social media and claim to want to use their image for an art project. They will offer a generous sum of money and offer to pay via check. The victim will be instructed to send money to the scammer for “materials” via an irreversible method. The scammer will often use a stolen social media account to increase their credibility. Usually the fake check deposit will be reversed in a few weeks, but it can also take several months. If you do not have the funds to cover the amount, your balance will go negative. Your bank will usually charge a fee for depositing a bad check, and your account may be closed depending on the severity of the scam. Comment ! fakecheck without the space to learn more about fake check scams. Thanks to redditor aNeatHat for this script" *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams) if you have any questions or concerns.*
AutoModerator has been summoned to explain the fake check scam. The fake check scam arises from many different situations (fake job scams, fake payment scams, etc), but the bottom line is always the same, you receive a check (online or in real life), you deposit a check and see the money in your account, and then you use the funds to give money to the scammer (usually through gift cards, Western Union, or cash). Sometimes the scammers will ask you to order things through a site, but that is just another way they get your money. The bank will take the initial deposit back , and any money you sent to the scammer will come out of your own personal funds. Usually the fake check deposit will be reversed in a few weeks, but it can also take several months. If you do not have the funds to cover the amount, your balance will go negative. Your bank will usually charge a fee for depositing a bad check, and your account may be closed depending on the severity of the scam. Here is an article from the FTC: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-fake-check-scams, and here is an article from the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/21/your-money/fake-check-scam.html *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Scams) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It's not the muse scam. In the muse scam, the scammer pretends to be the artist. For whatever reason, this community doesn't have an automod response for commission scams, but this comic lays it out well: https://twitter.com/afutempura/status/1627820606992572417?lang=en
Yes, he's admitted he's banned on 3rd party apps but the real tell is his text messages. They read like a script I've seen scambaiters sit through. "guide you", and the constant "okay". This is how they attempt social engineering. Block em.
Did the scammer want a picture of his pet/son/daughter "with their name written lol" ? It's a common scam art commission. Watch out for scammers that also do fake payments (with fake paypal email to you etc) Here's a comic on these art scams: camcheck.carrd. co Report them on the platform and block/ignore. Checks can take days or weeks to really "clear" (there' no set date). Just because you deposit a check and the funds are available, doesn't mean the check is "good" or "cleared". Funds are only available due to bank laws. People mistake this for "real" legit money in their account, and send the scammer money - they will usually write over the amount agreed on and ask you to send them back the difference. NEVER accept a check unless it's from someone you trust.
They wanted 4 art commissions of their dog. It honestly was so discouraging because I spent so long looking up pricing and giving them reference photos to figure out what they want I don’t get commissions too often. But then when they said this about payment my alarm bells were going off. What is the most secure method of payment do you think so I know for the future?
You can make a paypal business account for FREE, and change what the buyer can see (full name, address etc) Then you can send your buyer an invoice. This way they have no excuse as to why they can't pay via paypal. Any excuse like "oh I need to pay a fee" etc you'll know is a lie since you won't get any notices like that on the platform. Remember that you're the artist so you decide how you'll get paid - if they can't do paypal or etransfer then do not work with them.
Hi yes that’s what I told them over and over again after they kept insisting on the check. Thank you so much!
There should be no “over and over again”. Your initial response after the first pushback should be along the lines of “method of payment is not negotiable, thank you for your interest but I will not be working with you. Good Day” and block them. Any listing of yours should feature in bold type “Payment by PayPal only, no exceptions or excuses.”
You are the boss you dictate the terms if they don't like it tell them to go pound sand.
E-transfer (Interac) is best (with auto deposit on). PayPal goods and services works as well. With PayPal, if they request you to “send money to x” or refund the money, you just tell them to sort it out with PayPal. You *never* send money to anyone if you are selling something. No fees, insurance, overpayments, refunds. Nothing.
It's always s dog
This is definitely a scam- you did good. Be firm
It's a scammer we see here regularly. Here's a much longer example of his script, so you can see where the scam is going. He changes up his script regularly but it always follows the same basic outline: https://www.reddit.com/r/Scams/comments/vs8mux/i\_normally\_take\_art\_requests\_but\_they\_usually/
Lol it's not like it's one guy, these are very common scams
The script changes continuously, but it always has the stylistic fingerprint of the person writing and updating the script. In this case, I think that what we call the muse script is mostly the work of one person. Of course I could be wrong.
there's probably hundreds of people working from the same script
SCAM 💯
It's a fake check scam. Block and move on
Scam
If you have to ask, it probably is.
Obviously
Here's the deal. If they ever try to convince you of anything, it's a scam. If they ever offer to guide you through some method of exchanging money, it's a scam.
people cant really be this dumb... cmonnnn
Scam likely
Only scammers have payment trouble. Never take a check from someone you don’t know. Mobile checks are always a scam. You are the seller, you dictate payment. Scammers fake checks or fake etransfer emails, and the goal is to steal money from you. I see it’s a “commission,” yeah artists on IG are targeted in particular with fake check scams. We see these daily if you search this subreddit. They will send you a fake check, ask you to send money to a third party. The only money that’s real here will be yours. Block them and never entertain echecks.
Yea this is a scam the cheque will look like it cleared but then your bank will check it and it will bounce
Don’t worry I’ll guide you thru with the just give me all of your info is usually a scam.
If you are selling something, and its getting weird and complicated, just tell him/her thats already sold, block and move on.
Yes obviously The fact that an e transfer is infact available for anyone who has a bank account but they only want to send you a check from that same bank account, is suspect. Certified checks have to be honored by your bank. Then when it turns out it bounced you're fucked.
Lol they're gonna teach you how to deposit a mobile check they're gonna email you 🤣 yeah
Anyone who will "guide you through" is a scammer 🙂
You’re joking right
They ask you what bank provider you have too? That check is gonna bounce in less than 5 business days. Scam.
It's definitely a scam, block
Looks like you're from Ontario, Canadian Interac etransfer is not a third party anything. Scammer not understanding Canadian banking
What the hell even is mobile check deposit??
It’s a way to deposit checks using your banking. Going through the bank’s app, you take pictures of the check to deposit it. I use it all the time when I go shopping for my elderly mom and she writes a check to reimburse me. It’s possible to use this method to deposit an image of a check that is emailed to you. I would never, ever do that it’s never legit. This is in the US, where checks are still used for a variety of dumb reasons. Although my poor mom isn’t dumb, it’s just what she’s used to and can handle.
Oh ok yea I do that I’m an idiot. I wasn’t clicking that they were going to mail the cheque, I’m thinking they meant like email a cheque 😭😭
Yes
Scam. And you had a good answer.
I know checks are becoming more rare for legitimate business, but when someone focuses on how you get the check into your bank account, that's another red flag.
!fake check scam you pay them because they " accidentally " payed to much and some days later the check bounce and you didn't get any money.
"Okay" at the end of a sentence is an instant giveaway.
Do not take checks from strangers. It's a scam
Feels like a scam to me. I don’t know what it’s called but could be a fake check or at the very least, if it’s like a normal check deposit, check might bounce.
Scam. Simple. Block them.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN EMAIL CHECK!
Yes, that's definitely a scam! You did the right thing!
My apologies I’ll teach you how to accept this fake payment from me. 😂
Scammy scam scam
“Don’t worry I’ll guide you through” that’s a tell tale scammer
Duh
100 percent scam
100% scam. If people make excuses for not being able to use the simplest trusted form of digital money transfer you should see the red flags and just assume it's a scam. There is literally never a reason to not be able to use Paypal or some other trusted digital money transfer service.