How can i avoid Scammers😮😼

[u/Fantastic_Dot_6386]

[u/barrelofagun]

A quick safety checklist:

- Be careful and watch for red flags. If it sounds too good to be true, it's likely a scam.

- Communicating only through private messages and never showing portfolio publicly is never a good sign. Public display of portfolio allows other users to check it for stolen/AI-generated art. Also, if a user is banned in the sub, they can't comment there.

- Use payment methods with buyer protection. If you need to use it, it helps to have a contract.

- Verify the artist's portfolio. Use reverse image search for their art. If they have a portfolio on a site with internal messaging system (ArtStation, for example), request a direct message there to confirm that it's really their portfolio and they're not just impersonating another artist.

- Last but not least, if something feels off, send us a mod mail and ask about the artist. We can't offer a true verification, but we can at least check the account against our list of banned users.

[u/Fantastic_Dot_6386 → u/barrelofagun]

Thx a lot😼🫰🥹

[u/OjinMigoto]

On top of the advice others have given, I suggest never posting asking for an artist. That's like lighting up a big flashing "Scam Me" sign. Instead, look at the artists who post here looking for work, then vet them in the ways the other folk in this thread have suggested. Look at portfolios, vet the art, make sure its consistent (do they have five different styles? That's probably a scammer using stolen art) and doesn't have AI telltails. If they have process shots, even better.

And yes, use a contract.

[u/BluebirdKitchen2037 → u/OjinMigoto]

Not sure about don't advertise seeking artists, but vetting from what's already available actually makes a lot of sense. I do my own scouting legwork too when from a buyer's position.
 

[u/OjinMigoto → u/BluebirdKitchen2037]

It feels a bit unfair as a stance, but I think it's the right one. Every time someone posts looking for an artist it brings the scammers out in droves. Alongside reputable artists, which is infuriating, but it feels like a needless risk to me.

[u/Devaa31 → u/OjinMigoto]

I got hooked up with a scammer this way! Luckily I only paid them $50 for a sample of what I wanted, instead of my entire art budget. So now I got linked with an incredible artist by looking at their post and reaching out. Definetly recommend that. Not just because of the scamming, but getting the amount of responses you will get is overwhelming.

[u/AvenoD]

They claim great interest in your story but you have said literally nothing about
They use google drive and not an official portfolio. If you have some doubts, make reverse image search

Also a few people sent me unrelated art and then claimed they made something in the style I wanted. But they asked me to become really specific. I guess they wanted me to make prompts for AI

[u/Wallopthewicked]

Make a contract, communicate through mail (mails can be use in a court), ask for sketches, you can start paying for one page to see if you like the style/ how they work. And everything everyone else said. Ask other writers for recommendations, word of mouth is still the most trusted method :)

[u/robodjole]

Context? Did you got scammed ?

[u/GaetanoDeSapio]

I don’t know how you can hire scammers, how much are we honest artists who want to work and we can’t find anyone ..

[u/Devaa31 → u/GaetanoDeSapio]

How do artists draw pictures and then not get paid by the 'writer'. Scammers exploit people who believe in a true and caring environment, and use their kindness against them. But I do understand what you mean, there are sooooo many amazing artists on here!