Every Scam I Faced (As A FREELANCER)
Summary
TLDRThis video script discusses common scams targeting young artists online, including offers to buy art with cryptocurrency or NFTs, requests for custom work with payment via checks that later bounce, and job scams that ask for bank account information. The speaker emphasizes the importance of vigilance, sharing personal experiences, and seeking advice from trusted individuals. The key message is to stay optimistic and cautious, and to use community support to avoid falling victim to these scams.
Takeaways
- 🚫 Be wary of sketchy emails and offers that seem too good to be true, as they could be scams targeting new and inexperienced artists.
- 💡 Recognize that scammers often target young, aspiring artists who are desperate for work and may be more susceptible to fraudulent offers.
- 🔍 When approached with an offer, verify the legitimacy of the interested party by asking for specifics about the work they wish to purchase.
- ❌ Refuse to engage with potential clients who insist on payment methods that are not secure or standard, such as cryptocurrencies or NFT sales.
- 💼 Establish a system for payment that requires an initial down payment before starting work to protect yourself from scams.
- 🎨 Be cautious of scammers who may be after your artwork rather than your money, and ensure your work is protected from unauthorized use.
- 📧 Never provide your bank account details to anyone online, no matter how legitimate they may seem, to avoid potential theft.
- 🔑 Consider using a separate bank account for remote work with no money stored in it, to add an extra layer of security.
- ⚠️ Be aware of fake job scams that mimic real companies and job applications, and always verify the authenticity of job offers.
- 🏥 Reach out to trusted individuals or communities, like Discord servers, when you're unsure about a potential scam to get a second opinion.
Q & A
What is the common scam the video creator frequently encounters?
-The video creator frequently encounters scams where someone pretends to want to buy their art but then tries to convince them to accept payment in cryptocurrency or create an account on a suspicious website.
Why are new and young artists often targeted by scammers?
-New and young artists are often targeted because they are likely inexperienced, desperate for work, and may not have the knowledge to identify scams, making them the perfect targets for scammers.
What advice does the video creator give to avoid falling for scams?
-The video creator advises to be cautious, to only deal with trusted payment methods like PayPal, and to never accept arbitrary forms of payment such as cryptocurrency, NFT sales, or checks from unknown sources.
Why does the video creator refuse to promote or advertise crypto or NFT content?
-The video creator refuses to promote or advertise crypto or NFT content because they do not believe in it, do not trust the people using it, and want to avoid any association with scams that often use these methods.
What is the 'birthday card or wedding card scam' mentioned in the video?
-The 'birthday card or wedding card scam' is a scam where someone commissions an artist to design a card, then claims they can only pay by mailing a check. The check bounces after the artist has already completed the work, leaving them with no payment.
How does the 'art asset scam' work as described in the video?
-In the 'art asset scam', scammers ask artists to create something and then refuse to pay, instead taking the artwork and trying to sell it as their own on various websites.
What is the 'remote job scam' and how does it operate?
-The 'remote job scam' involves fake job postings that lure applicants through a fake interview and onboarding process, ultimately asking for bank account information for direct deposit, which is then used for fraudulent activities.
What happened in the 'anti-cam scam' that the video creator fell for?
-In the 'anti-cam scam', the video creator was tricked into sending money as a test for receiving payment in Zel, a cryptocurrency. They then contacted a fake customer service number found through a Google search, which led to them giving out their bank information.
Why is it recommended to have a separate bank account for remote work as suggested in the video?
-Having a separate bank account for remote work is recommended to keep personal finances safe. This account should only be used for direct deposits from verified sources and should never store significant amounts of money.
What is the main takeaway from the video regarding scams and online work?
-The main takeaway is to be vigilant and cautious when dealing with online work and payments. It's important to surround oneself with supportive people, share experiences, and be aware that even if you're just trying to find honest work, you can still be a target for scammers.
Outlines
🚨 Scam Awareness for Artists: Protecting Your Work and Wallet
The speaker addresses common scams targeting young artists online, emphasizing the vulnerability of those new to the field and financially desperate. They recount their own frequent encounters with scammers and stress the importance of vigilance. The first scam discussed involves potential buyers who express interest in art without specifying a particular piece, often steering the conversation towards payment in cryptocurrency or through sketchy websites. The speaker advises against engaging with such offers and highlights the predatory nature of scammers who exploit artists' desperation.
💸 Beware of Payment Scams: Crypto, Checks, and More
This paragraph delves into various payment-related scams, such as requests for cryptocurrency payments or the creation of NFTs with upfront fees. The speaker shares personal experiences with scammers attempting to convince them to accept these dubious forms of payment. They also discuss the 'birthday card' or 'wedding card' scam, where artists are asked to create custom cards and then tricked with bad checks. The speaker insists on the importance of only accepting secure and verifiable forms of payment and shares their own policy of requiring an initial down payment before starting work.
⚠️ Advanced Scams: Art Theft and Remote Job Scams
The speaker warns about scams where scammers are after the artist's work rather than money. They describe a scenario where an artist is asked to create an asset, which the scammer then steals and attempts to sell. Additionally, they discuss the 'remote job' scam, where fake job offers lure in desperate job seekers, only to request bank account information for direct deposit, leading to potential theft. The speaker advises creating a separate bank account for job-related deposits and to be skeptical of job offers that seem too good to be true.
🛡️ The Anti-Scam Scam: A Personal Tale of Caution
In the final paragraph, the speaker shares a personal story of falling for an 'anti-scam scam,' where they were tricked into providing bank information after an initial scam attempt. They describe the fake customer service numbers and websites that scammers use to appear legitimate. The speaker emphasizes the importance of verifying the authenticity of any contact information related to money and advises contacting banks directly for assistance, rather than relying on online search results.
🌟 Stay Positive and Stay Safe: A Message of Hope and Vigilance
Concluding the video script, the speaker offers a message of hope and encouragement, reminding artists that despite the prevalence of scams, it's important to maintain a positive outlook. They stress the value of community and sharing experiences to help one another avoid scams. The speaker invites viewers to join their Discord community for support and ends on a positive note, wishing viewers well and encouraging them to stay vigilant.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Scam
💡Cryptocurrency
💡NFT
💡Direct Deposit
💡Remote Job Scam
💡Art Asset Scam
💡Ethical Hackers
💡Desperation
💡Psychopath
💡Dummy Account
💡Anti-Scam
Highlights
Common scam targeting new, young artists looking for honest work online.
Scammers often target those who are desperate and inexperienced in selling their art.
Scammers are likened to psychopaths who prey on the vulnerable.
Ethical hackers' videos can provide insight into how scammers operate.
The first scam involves receiving an email from someone wanting to buy art without specifying a piece.
Scammers may request payment in cryptocurrency or through creating an NFT.
The speaker emphasizes not promoting or endorsing cryptocurrency or NFTs.
The 'birthday card' or 'wedding card' scam involves non-payment after artwork delivery.
Scammers may use checks that initially clear but later bounce, causing loss for the artist.
The speaker advises against accepting payment methods that are not traceable or secure.
The 'art asset' scam involves scammers taking artwork without paying for it.
Remote job scams involve fake job offers and interviews, potentially leading to financial loss.
The speaker recommends using a separate bank account for job-related direct deposits.
The 'anti-cam' scam involves scammers posing as a client and then a fake customer service.
The importance of verifying the legitimacy of any contact information found online.
The speaker shares a personal experience of falling for a scam and the lessons learned.
Encouragement to stay optimistic and vigilant, and to seek advice from trusted sources.
The value of sharing experiences to help others avoid scams and support each other.
Transcripts
so a lot of you guys really like that
video on how to actually not starve to
death as a game developer and on Discord
one of you who is on your way to trying
to make a living online with your
artistic skills was asking about a
sketchy looking email you got about
somebody asking to buy your art and as
soon as they described the email I
immediately recognized it because it's a
very common scam that I probably get
about two or three times a week and
luckily we were able to nip that
potential catastrophe early but today I
decided it'd be really good to take a
minute and talk about some of the scams
that I have encountered as a starving
artist online and what you can do to
avoid them or better yet spread
awareness to help other people avoid
them the first thing you need to
understand is there is an entire
business model of scam companies
designed specifically to Target you and
when I say you I mean generally new
Young Artists looking for honest work
who probably have no real experience yet
finding or selling their services and
are probably poor and struggling to pay
rent yourselves which means you're
probably desperate you're just trying to
find an honest way to make a living and
want to meet people who might need your
skills and this is exactly why you are
the perfect Target the most important
thing that I've learned while trying to
find work online is that nobody needs a
reason to screw you over and when you
are at your lowest most desperate point
in your life just looking for a way to
make a little extra honest change with
your skills that is exactly the point
where these pieces of will come out
and Target you and you have to
understand these people are psychopaths
I would say they're not really human
they pray on the week and they give zero
shits about the terrible situation
you're going to be in when you have zero
dollars in your bank account if you
doubt anything that I said just go watch
some of the videos of ethical hackers
fighting scammers like kid Boga or
scammer payback watch them interact with
these people who are praying on you
because they literally say and I qu
quote if you are dumb enough to fall for
the scam you deserve to have your money
stolen just because you are minding your
own business doesn't mean people don't
have any reason to with you and
unfortunately it's because you are a
nice person looking for work that people
will try to with you so here are
the most common ways that I've seen them
with people the first and most
common recent one that I've seen these
days is you'll get an email and it'll
say something like hey I like your work
I'd like to buy your art now the first
time I saw this I didn't think too much
of it but where it started to get weird
was literally right after I sent a
response email asking thank you for your
interest which pieces are you interested
in buying and when I asked this question
they couldn't list the name of a single
specific piece they were interested in
and when I asked them to clarify they
just said oh well I like your artwork in
general any piece you are willing to
sell now at this point I was pretty sure
this was but I entertained them
anyway and said sure you can can send
the money to the following PayPal ID
once I have confirmed the payment I will
send you the commercial license for the
piece you want and here they said oh
well I can actually only pay you in
cryptocurrency after that I told them
sorry I don't really accept or work with
crypto and then they said oh that's all
right you can just sign up to create an
account at this website and it's really
cheap and really easy and immediately
after that I told them listen I only
deal with PayPal and I only deal after
I've have confirmed the payment has been
sent then they got mad and tried to
convince me that I was making a mistake
and missing out on a lot of potential
opportunity and I just blocked him from
there now there's an alternate variant
of this scam where instead of offering
to pay in crypto they offer to pay you
the sales made from nfts but just like
every other scam you have to sign up and
create an account but you need to pay
for the creation of the nft in the first
place it's a load of BS and for the
record I just want to say that you will
never ever ever ever ever in the history
of this channel see me recommend or
advertise crypto or nft content on my
platform I don't believe in it I don't
believe the people use it and if you
ever find me promoting that you
should assume the channel has been
hacked and seriously start asking
YouTube to check the IP addresses of my
latest videos now the next scam that you
need to look out for is the birthday
card or wedding card scam this is
usually targeted towards 2D artists but
basically someone will reach out to you
and tell you that they will pay you x
amount of money to design a wedding card
and if you create the card and ask them
to pay they will tell you that they can
only pay by mailing you a check due to
their country's laws or something and
when you get that check and you depos
deposit it into the bank it will appear
normal you will see new money in your
bank account but after a few days the
check will bounce the bank will retract
it and subtract the amount it added
leaving you with the amount that you
started in the beginning and those last
three scams are exactly why when anyone
contacts me about hiring or buying any
of my services I do not accept any
arbitrary forms of payment like crypto
nfts sales percentages Revenue splits
favors trades checks or other random
forms of transaction when I deal with
the potential client now I only start
working on a project unless half of the
total is made in an initial down payment
and anyone unwilling or unable to comply
with that is simply welcome to take
their business elsewhere obviously you
are free to find out your own system
that works for you but that's what works
for me now the next scam is a bit newer
and more devious but it's becoming more
and more popular recently which is the
art asset scam some scammers are not
after your money they are after your
work similar to the wedding card scam
they'll ask you to create something and
then when you send it to them to no one
surpr R they don't pay you and instead
they just take your asset upload it to a
website somewhere and then try to sell
it as their own and it sucks because
most of these people operate in
countries where our laws cannot touch
them so even if you do somehow manage to
take it down or file a report it's going
to pop up somewhere else again and
you'll be stuck in a wild goose chase so
remember sometimes they're not after
your bank they are also after your work
itself now the next scam you have to
watch out for which in my opinion is the
most dangerous is the remote job scam
now I went through a phase where I
probably sent out about 500 resumes in
applications to try and find some remote
work that I could do in order to pay off
some of my student loans and for months
and months and months I was desperately
looking for a job it didn't really
matter if it was local or remote I just
needed something and this is where I
encountered the job scam now these are
fake jobs and they are very intricately
made to appear real they create job
applications on real sites like Zip
recruiter and they often look and sound
like legitimate companies some of them
even pretend to be famous companies and
when you apply to them they have you go
through a big fake interview process
where of course at the end of it once
they have determined that you are dumb
enough to fall for their tricks they
tell you that you are the perfect
candidate for the job and if you're like
me when you hear that you start to
become a little suspicious because you
are painfully aware of just how average
you are and there's no way that
you're the perfect applicant for any
position but if you go along with the
process and see where it goes what's
going to happen is they will move you
through a fake onboarding process and at
the end of it they'll get you your
schedule and your first assignment and
all you need to do now is set up your
bank account so that they can direct
deposit each month now I think you see
where this is going please don't ever
ever give your bank account number to
anyone online no matter how legit you
think they are like yeah some companies
do actually use direct deposit but if
you are constantly looking for remote
work please for the love of God go get a
second bank account that is basically
just a dummy account with nothing in it
and this account only exists to take
direct deposits from your job never
store money in it and when money gets
into it you withdraw it immediately and
you be sure to tell the bank that you
create this dummy account with that you
work remote and this account will never
have money withdrawn from it unless you
are there in person and if money is ever
withdrawn from it and you are not
physically in the building then the
account should be presumed compromised
and should be reset with new information
and new passwords now the last scam that
you need to know about is the anti-cam
scam and this one I actually fell for so
this one's real this was many years ago
when I was starting out I didn't know
what I was doing but long story short
someone pretending to be a client was
going to send me payment for some work
that I did they said I'll pay you with
zel can you send me like $5 then once
I've confirmed your zel I will send you
the payment with your $5 refund now I
was young and dumb so I was like sure
yeah that sounds fine I sent five bucks
and then when I asked for payment back
they disappeared now of course I was
pissed and when I realized I just got
scammed I I went to the bank and said
hey is there any way you can reverse
this Z and they said unfortunately there
really isn't anything they can do
because zel is a separate thing from the
bank and then I would have to call zel
myself to see if they could look into it
so then I went and found the zel
customer service number at the top of a
Google search called them told them my
situation they had me describe the case
describe exactly which bank account was
affected and what day that transaction
happened and it turns out that the
customer service number for zel that I
found at the top of a Google search was
actually not zel at all it was actually
a scam company pretending ending to be
zel that for some reason appears as the
top search when you Google it everything
was fake even though the website looked
real the logos looked real they had
someone with an American accent
pretending to be the customer service
representative so when you called that
number you had no idea that you were
actually in a scam site but in reality
they are just collecting your bank
information so that they could take
money out of it later now I figured this
was a scam when they started asking me
to send more money out of my account to
quote unquote see where that money went
and follow it and after that I felt
uncomfortable I went to my bank in
person and and described what was going
on and then they said yeah don't ever do
that and luckily I was basically
completely broke anyway so there was no
money to steal but just in case we had
my old account scrapped and created a
brand new one since obviously the people
who were posing as zel had literally all
of my bank information so never assume
that anything that pops up at the top of
a Google search is legitimate fake scam
companies can easily pretend to be the
top search results and look legitimate
and the only people that you should ever
call regarding money is the number
directly on the back of your physical
credit card that is the only number you
should ever call if you're going to call
about money cuz if you call a number you
find online you are rolling the dice
these traps are everywhere and if you're
a starving artist who's really desperate
you really really have to keep your eyes
open for this now I know after hearing
this you might feel really demoralized
because the shit's kind of scary and
that's not the lesson that I want you to
take from this video I'm generally a
very optimistic positive person and just
because I've been over a few
times doesn't mean that I want to start
to see the world as a terrible place
because it's really not the key takeaway
from all this is just to truly
understand that just because your
minding your own business doesn't mean
you're not a Target just because you're
a nice person who's looking for honest
work doesn't mean people are not going
to try and destroy your life and that's
why it's really important for you to
surround yourself with people who do
care about you and if you're unsure
about something you should talk to those
people get their opinion on it but the
point is you're not alone and that's why
it's really important for us to share
our experience because we could
potentially save each other a lot of
wasted time a lot of wasted money and
just make the world a better place so
don't lose hope you're going to be fine
just be careful and again if you're
unsure feel free to drop by the Discord
we'd be happy to see what you're up to
and help you out if we can and as always
hope you have a fantastic day and I'll
see you around
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