Be aware of scams that target illustrators

idid

The pandemic seems to result in more scams than ever before. I received one today and would like to share it here since the scammers are likely to target more illustrators.

The basic scheme: the scammer wants to pay you with a cashier's check or bank certified check. They overpay you and want the extra money back by asking you to fill online form or use remote desktop software, so they can gain access to your bank account and transfer money.

More details if you are interested.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overpayment_scam

Be extra cautious when you receive any "unreasonably good offer" from someone you don't even know.

Happy Sunday!

idid

@idid
I told them it does not fit the scope of my work. Guess what, they just replied and said.

"Can you refer anyone to me please and I can pay $1,000 per image due to the time frame"

I'll just block them...

davidhohn

@idid Glad to see the "Beware" post. Thanks!
Similar warnings have been posted recently. The more transparency the better.

With transparency in mind I also want to mention that $1000 per image is not unreasonable.
In fact depending on the size of the client, and the scope of the image usage $1K could be far below market value.

idid

@davidhohn

Good point.

Although before I had my agent, I would indeed consider $1,000 per page for a PB a good deal ... I even had a friend who just graduated from the SVA MFA Illustration program and illustrated a whole graphic novel for a big five for free ... Emerging illustrators desperate to get into the publishing world are also the most vulnerable.

davidhohn

@idid

I even had a friend who just graduated from the SVA MFA Illustration program and illustrated a whole graphic novel for a big five for free

That this happened to your highly educated friend is deeply troubling.
Especially from a program like SVA's MFA which I am familiar with.
It doesn't really pertain to the original scam e-mail, but actually worries me even more.

But now I'm curious. Since you have your agent do you no longer consider $1000 per page a good deal?

How do you go about determining the value of a particular project?