#(scammers and bots that come in your DMs)

[tired-and-unjellied]

I read some LinkedIn comments on a post

Incomprehensible comment about thinking for one self and hating managers

Tangent about a different tool

"I like your tool but the logo looks like a fox with mumps 😄"

An ad posted as a comment

"Commenting as a reminder for myself"

Someone saying "ad"

People tagging other people

Someone saying thank you

[kyra45]

Scammers pretending to be Palestinian v6

(Scammers pretending to be Palestinian v6)

This guide is meant to inform you on some ways to differentiate legitimate fundraisers from those created by scammers who have been impersonating Palestinians for several months now. While originally I tried to list the scam blogs in these posts, Im just making this now a general overall method to spot scams.

Disclaimer: This guide is not to say all Palestine based asks are from bots or a scammer. Rather, it is meant to explain the reasoning why something is legitimate or not. Do not use this guide as an excuse to claim every single Palestine fundraiser is a scam.

TL;DR: In the span of you saying someone’s bot, you could be using tumblr search instead of telling me your reporting every ask you get as a scam without looking at the account.

One of the first things to keep in mind is that most asks you get will come from accounts who check the notes of a post. Meaning they saw you and decided to send you the ask or DM to share their fundraising post. This is not bot behavior and often is done by those is unfortunate situations that desperately need funding and as a result is a common occurrence across the internet. If this bothers you, it is suggested to turn off your askbox or limit DMs to mutuals instead of the posting in the scam tag that every ask you get is from a scammer when it’s a gfm account that has been vetted by a well known blog that may even be on a list of verified fundraisers if you bothered to look it up.

Secondly, while originally a non-gfm fundraiser may have been suspicious (such as PayPal or gogetfunding) it has since been decided and clarified that such fundraisers are now used when a gfm is shut down unexpectedly and the original creator informs the donors that they will need to resend it their support to a new fundraiser. If you do not see any mention of a previous gfm in a PayPal/gogetfunding post there is a possibility that searching parts of the post may show that the content is from someone else and the source may still be active with no mention of tumblr itself indicating the tumblr post is impersonating the real gfm.

Thirdly, due to language barriers legitimate accounts may use asks from other vetted fundraiser blogs with only minor edits. While this isn’t something I’d suggest doing, it’s understandable the situation unfortunately relies on copying someone else’s words to ask for support. However, please don’t reuse the post content unless you were given permission or are related to the original fundraiser such as being a family member. Images may be borrowed from other accounts, though they may be stolen from offsite places. This is not full proof of a scam, as it’s suggested to search around for proof of who originally posted the images. Please understand not everyone is natively an English speaker and Google translate isn’t always accurate. Some may reuse someone else’s posts unaware that it’s suspicious behavior.

Fourthly, most scam accounts have reused a certain style of ask often mentioning needing insulin (Humalog) for a relative, having nose freezes due to asthma, being down to their last pen and asking for “nt much”, or referring to their family being in the ruins of a church. The frequency of these asks is so common searching them in tumblr search should bring up plenty of posts. Additionally, the names used by these accounts generally appear across multiple blogs that have been seen running different kinds of scams later on. A majority of their posts are almost always stolen off a real fundraiser they don’t link to.

Fifthly, in regards to verification it is very easy to search a username and see who vetted an account. Scammers will often say they’re verified but don’t list who or even paste a username that has never existed at all when you go to check. If asked about it, they generally will opt to block you without responding. There are people who will take time out of their day to ensure someone’s legitimate just be patient.

Lastly, don’t just assume every Palestinian gfm is a scam and stop acting like sharing a scam is fine because you don’t want to accidentally ignore someone in need. If you regularly see the posts from legitimate blogs and share them you would eventually be able to tell the day old private PayPal account asking for insulin funds is suspiciously asking for a low amount of funds compared to everyone else.

If I’ve missed anything, please let me know.

[doberbutts]

Okay this is like the 5th one today alone.

Hey folks? If you are coming into my dms and ask box specifically to ask me to reblog or boost your fundraiser and we have literally never interacted before?

The answer is no. I am simply going to delete or ignore it. If you continue to send me more, I am going to block you. This is scammer behavior and I'm not interested. I do not care what cause it's for.

Sending me an ask out of the blue, then messaging me, then tagging me, then tagging me multiple times in the same post's replies, are just going to make me block you. I do not know you and that is a hard boundary I have established since day one on this blog. This is how scammers act, and if your blog is continuing to be deleted as a result I'm more than willing to bet it's because the people you're messaging are reporting you as a spam bot and a scam.

[a-friend-of-mara]

Hello hello

It's been a long long time since I made an intro post so time to do it again

Hello everyone, I'm Mara, I'm an 18 year old autistic trans girlie on the interwebs. I'm mostly into women but recently have been getting bi-curious, I'm poly and in a relationship with some lovely people, I am okay with you flirting but don't get upset if I don't reciprocate your feelings, my partners come first.

I am a transgender woman, if you call me a sissy you're getting blocked

Stop asking where I'm from! I've heard that a hundred times and I'm tired of it!

I swear to Satan herself if one more guy is creepy in my DMs then I'm gonna start blocking all of them

Blank blogs I do not trust and will be presumed bots/scammers until proven otherwise, likes, reblogs, and a PFP take almost no time

My non-horny intests include

Computers

TTRPGs

Video games

Fixing stuff

I love talking to people and love attention even more so feel free to DM me*

*Dni list

Racists

Homophobic people

Transphobic people

TERFs

Anyone who calls me "sissy" or "tranny" or "shemale" because those are all derogatory terms and if you use them you're either an asshole or uneducated and I don't wanna take the time to figure out which

Favorite video games

(Last updated 5/13)

Titanfall 2

Team Fortress 2

Deep Rock Galactic

Beat saber

Project wingman

Cyberpunk 2077

Armored Core 6

Lethal Company

Pizza Tower

I love spreading little pockets of happiness around here sending messages saying "Heya you're loved and valid" to people on here

Ask me for money and you're being blocked instantly

Horny below the line

Dirty ask list

I LOVE TO RP, PLEASE ASK ME ABOUT IT!

[josephquinnswhore]

Hi! I'm not sure if you're taking requests but i wanted to ask if you could write one with Pedro where they're dating but reader is not famous, she is actually a young artist that runs a small business on Instagram. And everyone is shocked that he's with her, but he is so proud of being her boyfriend and is VERY supportive of her both in private and in public. That's, thank you 😊💕

the actor and the artist - pedro pascal x artist! female reader

Summary: you’re hosting your first ever art show and the paparazzi make you wonder if you’re good enough.

Word Count: 1.4K

Content Warning: age gap relationship, insecure reader.

Note: I fking love this request @rosaliedepp *kisses your forehead* I hope you love it. 🫶🏼💜

You remember where you first started, selling your artwork on Etsy, your prices were so cheap they undermined the hours of hard work, pain, sweat and tears that went into them, still you only managed to sell 3 works in about 12 months, you were stumped. Feeling like you should just give up, like it was a lost cause and your art wasn’t really as good as you originally thought it was. Until it happened.

You thought it was a scam at first, these scammers were getting crafty these days and the Pedro Pascal, messaging you on Etsy wanting a custom piece? Come on, didn’t seem likely and you weren’t stupid. You remember asking him to DM you on Instagram, his offical page, giving the email your username on Insta and within minutes receiving a direct message from the Pedro Pascal’s offical Instagram page that at the time, had 2.4 million followers, the white tick surrounded by the blue circle was confirmation it was really him and not some bot, or scammer.

He had been generous in his compliments on your works, even suggested making a business Instagram account to gain more traction, within the hour of messaging he had placed an order and left a very generous tip, he had even followed you and kept in contact regularly upon the arrival of his artwork, you figured it was because he didn’t trust you after he had sent that much money.

It was the opposite of what you thought that kept him talking with you, he thought you were sweet, talented and had real potential and knew he could help you where you needed it; not lacking in talent but recognition. If people actually saw your artwork, people would buy them. And they did, once they saw that Pedro had uploaded an image of your artwork in his house, that he followed you, your page blew up overnight, and you had Pedro to thank for it.

Which leads you to the present, two years later and 12 months of you two officially being a couple, even though things were fairly ‘new’ for the two of you, people had suspected things had been going on for longer. People of course had said their two cents online and you opted to ignore it.

Here you were in the cold evening of New York City, in a gallery room that was cleared just for your artwork, which would be showcased then auctioned, you had heard some big names were invited, ones in which you were terrified to see, let alone meet.

“You doing okay sweetheart?” Pedro’s voice scared you, pulling you back to reality as the room was half filled with people, something you’d failed to notice in your dissociative state. You offer him a smile as he hands you a glass filled with champagne.

“A bit nervous, hoping this will help.” You take a sip, your red lipstick that matches your ruby red silk, spaghetti strap dress, smears on the rim of the glass, you clutch your purse as a last resort for stress relief, feeling the tension build as more people arrive.

“I’m shitting myself, what if they don’t sell, what if they don’t like it? What if they don’t like me?” Your rambling makes Pedro chuckle, he steps towards you, his matching burgundy suit presses against your dress clad skin. His free hand caresses your hand and your hair tickles his fingers as you lean into him.

“They’ll be stupid not to love you, or your artwork. You’ve got this sweetheart.” You look at the genuine look on his face and can’t help but fall in love all over again, this man was truly a blessing in your life.

“You’re right, I’m powerful and wonderful and a fucking great artist. To us baby.” You clink your glasses together before throwing your head back, swallowing the liquid for courage before walking to the stage that had a microphone and your most iconic artwork on the wall behind you.

You’re standing in front of dozens of well known celebrities, but the champagne gives you the courage to smile at them as they watch you with wondering eyes. “Thank you all so much for joint us this evening. It’s truly an honour to host this event and to have you all here. Just a reminder that 35% of all purchases goes to the highest sellers choice of charity.”

The group cheer as you welcome them, pleased by your selflessness to give away money to donate to charity, Pedro is standing by himself off to the left of the stage and you give him a sweet smile.

“I wouldn’t be here without my biggest supporter, he’s changed my life for the better. This is the biggest moment of my life and thank you all for joining me along on this journey. The auction begins in 15 minutes so please don’t go anywhere. Stay and enjoy as long as you like, have a wonderful evening everyone.”

The applause goes straight to your head, people clapping and cheering for you as you walk off the stage, meeting Pedro at his side and giving him a kiss on the cheek, he doesn’t mind that you leave a lip shaped lipstick stain on his skin.

The auction is intense, your latest piece was the biggest success, it was sold for $360,000. That to you, was insane, you had earned that much money on one artwork. The years of hardworking was finally coming to pay off, not to mention one charity of a buyers choice was going to have received a very hefty donation.

“I can’t fucking believe it, that was insane. Thank you so much for coming with me, I couldn’t have done it without you.” You muse as you’re locking up the store, Pedro blushes at your compliment. “You did this all yourself sweetheart, money can’t buy talent.”

You shiver as the cold air hits your bare shoulders, the skin forming goosebumps immediately, your teeth are chatting at the freezing temperatures, curing yourself for not bringing a jacket. Pedro takes off his suit jacket, leaving him in his long sleeve-white button up dress shirt as he wraps the jacket around you, the smell and warmth of him bring you back to reality. The warmth holds you in its grasp.

“You didn’t have to do that, thank you.” You look up at him, thankful for the kind gesture. “Of course I did sweetheart, let’s get you home.” The perfect moment between you was spoiled as you see and hear paparazzi come swarming and shouting in your direction, probably after seeing the event posted online.

“Hey Pedro Pascal! What’s it like dating someone not talented on your level? Is it because you want a normal life?” The man snaps pictures of you and Pedro together, holding hands and Pedro shielding you from the cameras as the flash is blinding you.

“She is more talented than me. She’s an incredible artist, not that I have to justify it. Please leave us alone we’re very tired.” Pedro takes your hand and you try to walk away to get to his car which was parked right outside of the gallery, was it a good idea, no. Was it convenient, yes.

“What’s it like dating someone significantly younger, do you think she’s dating you for the money?” Pedro opens your door and puts your seatbelt on for you, before shutting the door and turning to the men following him.

“She’s the most genuine person I’ve ever met, not that it’s any of your business. Goodnight.”

He turns and makes his way to the car, starting it and driving off away from the flashes that blinded his eyes only moments ago. He notices you’re quiet, too quiet.

“Are you okay?” He seemed to be asking that a lot lately.

“I don’t know. They’re just mean, I love you Pedro, I do. I just don’t know how you deal with that- it’s so invasive and just horrible the things they’re saying about me, about us.”

His hand rubs your bare knee as he drives, his eyes not leaving the road until he comes to a red light mere streets from your shared apartment, “don’t listen to a word they say. They’re just looking for a reaction. If you’re happy then we’re good. I know I’m the happiest I’ve ever been with you.”

“You always know the right things to say Pedro.”

“I gotta keep my girl happy, don’t I?” You can’t help but smile at the comment, he truly was a blessing.

[campchitaquamemories]

🚨Mutual Aid/Rent Assistance Request🚨

Hey, Tumblr. It's Gigi again. It's January 2024 and I am still a disabled single mother of 2, attempting to make ends meet and coming up short. Due to a stupid tech issue I have been unable to work the past 3 days - work that would have made money I *need* to make sure that my rent and electricity and phone bills get paid. Overall, I'm going to be out close to $300 by 2/1, maybe more, but that's the best estimate I have at the moment.

I am a real person, I have been a tumblr user for eleven years. I have long-term mutuals here who (I hope) will reblog this with endorsements that I am a real person and not a scammer or a bot. You can also have a selfie of me sitting at my desk today, supremely pissed about not being able to work when I really need to.

If you are able to donate, please do. If you are not able to donate, please reblog this, signal boost it, idk send me your best thoughts... I had been doing *so well* about pulling myself out of this health hole but the stress of the holidays and now this work situation is really dragging me back down again.

I can accept mutual aid via PayPal and Venmo @MomGinny and CashApp at $vrwilson87. I will not be responding to DM requests for other donation methods, as they have all turned out to be scammers in the past. Here are some QR codes for your convenience:

Thank you all for being awesome, I appreciate each and every one of you.

[hnnny]

This is beyond disgusting that scam bots are now turning to capitalize on Palestinians who fear for their lives, their families lives, and the lives of their people and culture every single millisecond of every single day.

I implore you, if you receive a message like this, do the following things to make sure you're protected from scammers like this.

Did they follow you just before/after sending this post? If so, they are likely a scammer, building up their follower list to make their account seem more real.

Do they have any original posts besides their asks for donations/help? You can check using this website. If they only have the one, then they have likely a bunch of junk reblogs to make it seem like they are real.

Do you know them? Do they avoid referring to you and your brand of content specifically? This is a red flag that they have sent you a scripted message. Oftentimes, scammers will use vague terms like "my friend". This is an even bigger red flag, especially if they just followed you.

This type of scam in particular is extremely vague, which may cause you to DM them first to ask what they need. This is exactly what they want. They send you an ask so they can get you in your DMs. Sometimes, scammers will ask you to DM them via ask first anyway. This is yet another huge red flag.

Their username is their "real name". Do you know anybody on Tumblr who goes by their real name other than a few celebrities? That's another red flag.

Now that you've checked, here's what you do:

REPORT FOR SPAM! Protect other people from running into the same issue and possibly falling for it. This is essential to making sure the amount of bots running around rampant remains minimal and manageable. Report them as you see them.

BLOCK, BLOCK, BLOCK! Depending on how you go about this (either on mobile or desktop), this might come with the 'Report Spam' step. Be sure to make sure you have them blocked. This will ensure that they can't target you again.

INFORM OTHERS! Let other people know when they've likely reblogged a scam ask/post. Be respectful and kind and informative. Remember to use the above steps to identify if these posts are indeed spam. And it can't hurt to ask (as long as you're polite!)

Consider donating to real people who are suffering in inconceivably terrible ways. There are tons of ways to do so, whether on a very individual level, or on a wide scale level. You might even see if some of your favorite artists or content creators are doing a fundraiser in exchange for their services. Just make sure to do a bit of background research to make sure things are legit. It doesn't take too many Google searches before you can see if it's a scam or not.

Check that you are a registered voter now, and check for early voting days. Set the date on your calendar and go. Invite your friends, make a day of it. If you can't make it the first day, go the next possible day.

Stay hopeful and keep fighting. And believe me. I know things seem hopeless. But please, that is exactly what they want you to think. They want you desensitized to their acts of genocide. They want you to cast aside your vote so they can continue until they're done. I promise you, you aren't alone in these feelings, and as such, you are not alone in this fight.

Give your talents, voice, platform, and all other efforts to help let the world know that we must Free Palestine. Do not think for one second the battle is over yet. You can do this. Prayerfully consider what kind of action you could take that feels right to you.

[0ryza13]

This is your periodic reminder that complete strangers who come onto tumblr and into your asks to beg for money are probably lying. Legitimate requests for help are usually through posts on their own blog or in dms to close friends (not to mention people usualyl start by asking people they know irl, not internet friends). Someone you've never heard of before dropping an ask to you, usign current events as their backgroynd for why they need money (whether that means "I'm a refugee" or "we got this puppy for christmas last week and now it's sick") is most likely a scammer hoping for a payout. Don't even answer the ask, because even if you answer telling them off for scamming, your followers might see the link and donate without thinking. Just report and block, same as bots.

[lillian-dearest]

Hey! Guess who's back. Im so sorry to come back on this note but I just got scammed by someone from here on discord. It was 2+ years since I added them and I don't remember which account it was on here, but here's the receipts on discord.

(Edit: yeah found out it's not that person's fault, they fell for it too and their account is being used like my old one is, so yeah entirely scammer in these texts.)

I was stupid and actually went through with adding this "discord lawyer" and changing over my email. I was already occupied with my day, but nonetheless, I fell for it. Just figured I should tell people as this person was originally from Tumblr and may have added other people from here with the same account.

If this scammer dms you on discord and says they spam reported your account, and asks you to add a random bot to solve it, don't be like me, and ignore them.

It was an account on the tickle community so I figured I would warn the tickle community in particular. I'm so glad the scammer told me to screenshot the messages :)

More under the cut

I was just having a moment, and didnt realize it was a scam until they started asking for banking information. I figured I should warn other people. Don't be like me, just a reminder to look over everything before you start messing with emails and stuff. I am fine because I made a new email.

Oh btw the "bot" started getting aggravated and started threatening me with a $1000 dollar fine and/or 30 years (more than a life sentence in canada) which I immediately became suspicious since it was a simple discord debate and I had nothing to do with the case. It stressed me out all day, and I just don't want anyone else to fall for it like I have.

Ps if you want the bot discord dms my tumblr dms are open, I don't mind sharing them if you're curious or want proof. Just know that it may take some time, tumbler is not my main priority right now.

Update: the scammer is now using my old account to try and scam people I had added. So yeah I'm pretty sure that person fell for it, and had their account taken. It's not that person's fault, but that account is definitely a scam account now. So is my old one.

Update update: yeah 100% not that person's fault, but definitely watch out, it seems to be scammers mating season.

Thank you for your time, have a good day, and be smart on the internet.

[gay-nidoking]

You're coming from the right place by trying to spread fundraisers for Palestinians experiencing genocide. It's gut-wrenching to feel so powerless to help. But it's very likely those feelings are being used to misappropriate peoples' funds to illegitimate, copy-paste bot fundraisers. Are we very privileged to live comfortably while the genocide is actively being pushed by our governments? Absolutely. But performing activism to counter the guilt that privilege makes us feel isn't always productive.

There are several reputable charities doing work in Gaza, like the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, Islamic Relief USA, Gaza Emergency Fund, and Palestinian Children's Relief Fund to direct people to. That list isn't exhaustive, either. Charity Navigator is great. If nothing else, just be careful with who you respond to and remember that "vetted" isn't actually a concrete thing.

You take the responsibility of going through your inbox for these fundraisers very seriously, but going into asks/DMs is usually a hallmark sign of scam bots. People in Palestine need us to care and do what we can, but they also need that energy to go to the right places.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnwasik/2023/11/01/israel-gaza-war-has-triggered-more-charity-scams-heres-4-ways-to-avoid-getting-swindled/

Three things, anon

First of all, it is pretty ridiculous of you to assume that this is the only activism I am performing, and that I am performing it out of guilt. I have always boosted mutual aid requests, long before October, because I believe that community and collective action is often more helpful to individuals than waiting for government or agencies. I am not doing this out of guilt for my privilege or because I feel powerless, but because my privilege gives me the power to do something, and I am using it as I see fit. This is basic mutual aid.

Second, I feel like it's pretty basic activist mindset to be willing to take the chance. I have always believed that it is better to potentially give one bad actor out of a hundred the spotlight rather than deny anyone aid. I am actively going through each campaign to make sure it felt safe to boost. There are even some I haven't posted, not that you would know that. Your assumption that I'm posting every single ask I get is, again, making an assumption based on what sounds like your own feelings, not mine. And your snide comment about vetting not being concrete is not appreciated. There have been scammers as long as there has been money. Doing due diligence before posting and/or donating is common sense. But compassion is also a necessary part of community.

Third, it is extremely arrogant to declare what Palestinians "need" when they are literally telling us what they need. Yes, donating to aid organizations is important. It is ALSO TRUE that these campaigns are helping. It is well known that Israel is blocking aid to Gaza. Both avenues, organizations and individual campaigns, are equally important.

You being a condescending prick isn't helping anyone. You pretending to know what's best for Palestinians isn't helping anyone. You have no idea what the vetting process is, you have no idea what I am doing to vet the campaigns I boost, and you have no idea what my motivations are. I could spit your words back and say you might be "coming from the right place" with this ask, but I don't believe you are.

[chibelial]

I can’t make a single post about donations, be it a sincere call for some small and quick aid when I’m in a bind with like med costs, or an obvious joke for my fellow poor people on the unemployed persons website; I can’t avoid being contacted by a scammer or a bit feigning interest in helping a legit disabled poor person out.

I know a lot of you guys use tumblr to signal most your on the spot dono needs for food or for Ubers or what have you; I’ve tried to do so with med costs here and there myself so I feel the struggle.

These scammers have always e en obvious to me from the very first dm, I’ve never actually BEEN scammed. But I know some people are far more desperate, in worse scenarios, have less time, or just are more trusting and less experienced with scum of the earth grifters. Please help careful out there if you post about needing any sort of aid and get a response, don’t be embarrassed to show it to someone else for a second opinion if it seems weird. Most of all, here’s my two biggest takeaways;

1. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Somebody, especially somebody on tumblr, could probably loan you anywhere from 5 to 50 bucks. Over the last couple years I’ve gotten about $90 in donations when I ask for assistance with medications, which is not much, but it’s realistic I guess. If someone’s offering a lotttt, be extra skeptical.

2. Nine times outta Ten a genuine donation will just come from someone who just. Sends You The Money. Via whatever link you made available in your post or blog. And then they’ll attach a message to said payment like if it’s PayPal or they’ll dm you around the same time with just a little like “hope you’re doing ok, sent you a lil help and ofc a reblog for the boost♥️”. If they’re telling you a story or saying they want a sugar baby or they try to act like they’ve been scammed and want some weird proof; it’s a scam. I’d they’re offering to send you a check via any means, even just a pic; that’s almost certainly a scam. If the blog is relatively new and has little to no original posts; probably a bot.

Idk how gullible the average tumblr user is, but I know a lot of us have been in quite a few financial binds, and we aren’t above asking one another for aid. And my stomach turns whenever I get these scammers, because I have to wonder, have they succeeded in fucking any of us?

[cumbunnywitch]

Hey Friendos. I'm gonna impart a little bit of knowledge on everyone about some scams that go around every few months, and that I've seen more than once on Tumblr so far.

Basic Premise: Someone messages you, sends you an ask, or otherwise shows up on your radar with a story. Often it's a believable story, like their cat is in need of surgery or they need to pay rent because they got kicked out or some kind of sob story and they're requesting you boost them or contribute if you can. A lot of the the time these things are scams. Like most of the time.

How to Tell if it's a scam: This can be easy. Look at their profile, look at when they followed you and sent an ask, and how many things they've reblogged, and check if they've made any posts on their own.

Here's some quick ones I see:

Everything they've done is all at the same time or from the same day. For example, every RB is from 8h ago. Maybe if the've done it before there's another day with like 50 posts all in a row. No one sets up their queue like that.

The follow and within a minute you have an ask/dm from them and they've never liked/rb'd from you.

They're using PayPal. PayPal is one of the most widely used money-sending tool for scammers as it's easy to get hold of someone else's account and perform further scams using it without leaving a trail.

Their cry for help is a single pinned post with very few reblogs and no verification.

They don't have any posts of their own, especially text posts.

Scammers don't like to use things like CashApp or GoFundMe because it's a lot easier to track scams, and payouts usually require ID verification. If someone is being legit, they'll probably have multiple avenues of receiving money. I'd use cashapp, set up a GFM, post about it constantly, and have my mutuals RB the shit out of my post by asking them directly for help.

Most of these are set up by bots in droves. They're a little more sophisticated, and are using the lessons learned from all those blank bot accounts you see come up as new followers. They've also been training you; "those random accounts are clearly bots and I'm talking to you like a normal person! I'm totally real and you can trust that because I'm using real words!" That sob story is meant to make you drop your guard. To make you consider that no one would actually try to scam people out of money with such a sad story.

Well there are people that shitty. There are scammers all over that have been manipulating your grandparents out of their retirement savings because they think you need to get bailed out of jail. Before that there were Nigerian Princes trying to give people money if only they could pay for the wire transfer.

Wire forwarding. Fake checks. Western Union scams. All of these things prey on our gullibility. Our sense of honor or curiosity or that someone made us feel special or wants to make us rich! Or our empathy and sympathetic nature, our desire to be helpful and get someone out of a bad situation.

I'm not saying you should think all of these requests are scams. I'm asking you to employ critical thinking, to look for warning signs and make a judgment call.

And if you're ever unsure, hit me up. I am more than happy to take a deep look at these things and give you my best opinion, free of cynicism. I've gotten hit by 4 of these in the last month, so I've got a decent eye on what to see.

[kebriones]

Which site do you use fpr commission? Or do you use email? Because honestly i want to do commisions online but i am very suspicious of bots and scam accounts 😔

1. I take orders on all social media I have (twt, insta and deviantart, here i haven't yet had anyone ask for a comm)

2. Communication with the customers is done depending on what they prefer. Either dms on that social media, or discord, or email (which is very rare)

3. I have never been scammed by a commissioner. I've had only one instance when someone didn't pay me for months after I finished their work, due to things going on in their life, but they did pay me in the end.

4. Don't take commissions from empty accounts, if you're taking comms on social media. It's easy to tell if you're talking with a bot or a human if you start discussing details on the commission.

5. Ask to get paid upfront, or half upfront. I don't do that because of personal reasons but it's the standard practice.

6. I know there are scammers that might do chargebacks or not pay you at all after you've finished their commission. My advice is to be aware of the discussions you have with them. Do they seem actually invested in the commission they're getting? What are they asking for? Most. normal people who love your art will most likely be following you on social media, will have liked your art before.

7.I have never had anyone directly message me on email or discord for comms. I don't think I would trust just a random email asking for art.

8. You always have the risk of being scammed. Always , always ask to get paid before you send any high resolution final pieces. Paypal allows chargebacks. If you worry about that, I'm not sure about the legalities of using it for work, but kofi doesn't do refunds. I would look into their tos though, since it's primarily a donations site.

9. I have in my TOS (terms of service) that if a customer fails to pay me I reserve the right to alter the art I made for them and use it to make up for the lost profit. I also always check with customers that they've read said TOS.

Hope this helps. Doing freelance commissions online isn't always safe, but if you avoid obviously suspicious accounts reaching out to you, you'll mostly be fine! I definitely recommend DeviantArt for advertising your commissions and art and getting safer customers, most people there are at least art lovers if not artists themselves, and you can also see how old an account is. Someone who's been there for five or ten years is less likely to scam you, in my experience. DeviantArt needs some work to get your art to be seen, but if you learn to use the groups function and you wiggle your way into communities/interract with others, it's a more straightforward way to find customers than praying to the instagram algorithm gods to favor you. Twitter is also useful and in my experience has less wierd people coming into your dms asking for free art than Instagram does.

[echo1331]

For Shame

Scammers and bots have been coming out of the woodwork lately. I've been getting ask and DMs almost daily for the last month. Either using sex, pets, medical, and conflict emmgercies to steal funding away from good causes, for shame. The gall thieves have is never-ending. Remain skeptical and beware. Always do your research BEFORE sending any money.

[chihuahuarocks]

hi! i wanted to ask you if it was okay if you could share my posts please?? sorry for the intrusion i’d really appreciate it! 😓 i promise i am not a bot i just have been without my medicine almost a week and things like not being able to sleep and i feel awful

Hello, I don't want to come off as uncaring or heartless, but with so many scams going on (and terrible people trying to take advantage of people's kindness), I don't feel comfortable sharing your posts. I'm not an expert, and I don't know how to properly vet someone to decide whether they are legitimately in need or a scammer.

I apologize if you really are someone in need, but I don't want to put my friends, mutuals, and followers at risk. I also politely ask that you do not message me like this again. Feel free to DM me privately, and maybe we can talk things out then.

I will also be closing my inbox for a while. Because I occasionally reblog donation campaigns for Palestinians (from sources I trust), a lot of people have been flooding my inbox asking for me to help them, which is why I am struggling to trust anyone coming to me for help. I cannot reliably discern who is legit and who is trying to take advantage of me and others.

[janzenv]

Learn How to Spot Fake LinkedIn Sales Bots

LinkedIn has become an invaluable platform for professionals. People use it to connect, network, and explore business opportunities. But with its growing popularity have come some red flags. There has been an increase in the presence of fake LinkedIn sales bots.

These bots impersonate real users and attempt to scam unsuspecting individuals. This is one of the many scams on LinkedIn. According to the FBI, fraud on LinkedIn poses a “significant threat” to platform users.

In this blog post, we will delve into the world of fake LinkedIn sales bots. We’ll explore their tactics and provide you with valuable tips. You’ll learn how to spot and protect yourself from these scams. By staying informed and vigilant, you can foster a safer LinkedIn experience.

Identifying Fake LinkedIn Sales Connections

Social media scams often play on emotions. Who doesn’t want to be thought of as special or interesting? Scammers will reach out to connect. That connection request alone can make someone feel wanted. People often accept before researching the person’s profile.

Put a business proposition on top of that, and it’s easy to fool people. People that are looking for a job or business opportunity may have their guard down. There is also an inherent trust people give other business professionals. Many often trust LinkedIn connections more than Facebook requests.

How can you tell the real requests from the fake ones? Here are some tips on spotting the scammers and bots.

Incomplete Profiles and Generic Photos

Fake LinkedIn sales bots often have incomplete profiles. They’ll have very limited or generic information. They may lack a comprehensive work history or educational background. Additionally, these bots tend to use generic profile pictures. Such as stock photos or images of models.

If a profile looks too perfect or lacks specific details, it could be a red flag. Genuine LinkedIn users usually provide comprehensive information. They do this to establish credibility and foster trust among their connections.

Impersonal and Generic Messages

One of the key characteristics of fake sales bots is their messaging approach. It’s often impersonal and generic. These bots often send mass messages that lack personalization. They may be no specific references to your profile or industry. They often use generic templates or scripts to engage with potential targets.

Legitimate LinkedIn users, typically tailor their messages to specific individuals. They might mention shared connections, recent posts, or industry-specific topics. Exercise caution If you receive a message that feels overly generic. Or one that lacks personalization. Be sure to scrutinize the sender’s profile before proceeding further.

Excessive Promotional Content and Unrealistic Claims

Fake LinkedIn sales bots are notorious for bombarding users. You’ll often get DMs with excessive promotional content and making unrealistic claims. These bots often promote products or services aggressively. Usually without offering much information or value.

They may promise overnight success, incredible profits, or instant solutions to complex problems. Genuine professionals on LinkedIn focus on building relationships. They try to provide valuable insights and engage in meaningful discussions. Instead of resorting to constant self-promotion.

Be wary of connections that focus solely on selling. And that don’t offer any meaningful content or engagement.

Inconsistent or Poor Grammar and Spelling

When communicating on LinkedIn, pay attention to the grammar and spelling of messages. You may dismiss an error from an international-sounding connection, but it could be a bot.

Fake LinkedIn sales bots often display inconsistent or poor grammar and spelling mistakes. These errors can serve as a clear sign that the sender is not genuine. Legitimate LinkedIn users typically take pride in their communication skills. They try to maintain a high standard of professionalism.

If you encounter messages with several grammatical errors or spelling mistakes, exercise caution. Investigate further before engaging with the sender.

Unusual Connection Requests and Unfamiliar Profiles

Fake LinkedIn sales bots often send connection requests to individuals indiscriminately. They may target users with little regard for relevance or shared professional interests.

Be cautious when accepting connection requests from unfamiliar profiles. Especially if the connection seems unrelated to your industry or expertise.

Take the time to review the requesting profile. Check their mutual connections, and assess the relevance of their content. Legitimate LinkedIn users are more likely to have a connection. They typically send connection requests to others with shared interests or professional networks.

Need Training in Online Security?

Spotting fake LinkedIn sales bots is crucial for maintaining a safe online experience. By being vigilant, you can protect yourself from potential scams.

AI is causing an increase in the sophistication of scams. You may need some help navigating what’s real and fake. Employees can also benefit by learning social media security.

Need help with personal or team cybersecurity training? We have a team of friendly experts that can improve your scam detection skills.

Give us a call today to schedule a chat.