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If you get a DM on Instagram from a so-called "artist" asking you if they can use one of your posts as a model for their portrait that they are going to feature in a so-called "art gallery" featured by a supposedly reputable source (usually JCPenney), and they claim that you'll receive monetary compensation through a check, DO NOT ACCEPT IT!
This is called the "muse" or "fakecheck" scam.
In this scam, they actually create the artwork using a photo from your profile but when they're done, they will send you a check for more than what they promised (they will promise you a range of $1,000 to $2,000). It is NOT legit! This is a FAKE CHECK that will take a while for your bank to realize that it is. So once you get it, they'll ask you to pay them money for the art supplies and getting your portrait into this so called "art gallery". Because everyone thinks that this is a legit check, they can catch you by you taking some of that money and giving it back to them but little do you know, you don't actually have that money and they're wiring it out of YOUR ACCOUNT!
And once you go on with it and give them your name and phone number, they'll spam trap and guilt-trap you into giving them the money because of the work they did.
If you do happen to get this offer, please make sure that it is legit by:
I got a message like this and don't let them deceive you! I thought it was legit because of their profile page and they named a reputable exhibit and company. BUT IT IS NOT REAL EVEN THOUGH IT SOUNDS PROMISING! Please don't let the promise of money block your judgment.
I will keep you updated on how this goes. I did ask her if it has to be done through check and no other form. I'm so glad I decided to more research
Please show this to other people!
Read more about this scam HERE
This is called the "muse" or "fakecheck" scam.
In this scam, they actually create the artwork using a photo from your profile but when they're done, they will send you a check for more than what they promised (they will promise you a range of $1,000 to $2,000). It is NOT legit! This is a FAKE CHECK that will take a while for your bank to realize that it is. So once you get it, they'll ask you to pay them money for the art supplies and getting your portrait into this so called "art gallery". Because everyone thinks that this is a legit check, they can catch you by you taking some of that money and giving it back to them but little do you know, you don't actually have that money and they're wiring it out of YOUR ACCOUNT!
And once you go on with it and give them your name and phone number, they'll spam trap and guilt-trap you into giving them the money because of the work they did.
If you do happen to get this offer, please make sure that it is legit by:
- Doing a deep search of the user in question. Check LinkedIn, Google, etc. for more information about this person. And if they don't already have their name and what they do on their profile, that's already a huge red flag.
- Research the art gallery they claim to be putting you in.
- Ask for a portfolio or check their profile page for what they've done and perform a reverse image search to see if this is their artwork. (AI exists and they could very well be using that nowadays!!)
- If they pass these points, the biggest giveaway is asking if it HAS to be done through check and not through a more secure payment such as PayPal, Venmo, or CashApp. If they insist on paying you with a check, please block them and don't speak to them any longer because they are trying to scam you.
- Research the scam itself. They most likely check all of the red flags already because this has been time many times before. There are multiple articles on it.
I got a message like this and don't let them deceive you! I thought it was legit because of their profile page and they named a reputable exhibit and company. BUT IT IS NOT REAL EVEN THOUGH IT SOUNDS PROMISING! Please don't let the promise of money block your judgment.
I will keep you updated on how this goes. I did ask her if it has to be done through check and no other form. I'm so glad I decided to more research
Please show this to other people!
Read more about this scam HERE