Holy hell! I’m glad you figured this out, and sharing the details is so helpful to others who might get similar pitches. I do have to say that the fiction writer in me is stuck on the floor manager’s “Ewwww” as a reply to seeing the check, completely unexpected dialogue there 😜 Have been thinking about reviewing contract details for clients myself too, would love to talk about it some time and trade ideas.
Yes, I believe we’re overdue for a walk or meetup!! And OMG, yeah, he later came back to me and said, “that check? Oof.” He was wonderfully expressive!
You’re obviously a great writer (and these illustrations are great too!) because I was rapt reading this! I’m so sorry it happened, and especially around a creative project!
I worry all the time about whether people contacting me are imposters. I worked for a person who was referred to me, a client who is a solopreneur, someone with no institutional affiliation, and THAT made me very nervous. But: He had a website, a book, a TEDx talk, and a personal relationship with a trusted client of mine. In the end, he was trustworthy but flaky. And it sounds like you’re used to flaky…That makes us susceptible to the Brandons. It sucks not to be able to just trust people!
Absolutely! It’s generally a strange leap of faith to work with someone when your only interaction is online, and the Brandons of the world can take advantage of that, along with our hustle!! Thanks for reading and sharing your experience!
Oh wow. Thank you for sharing! So sorry this happened to you, but glad you seemed to sidestep the worst of it. It's definitely a helpful reminder that emotions can easily cloud judgment. Nice illustrations!
Yikes! I've been a victim of fraud several times after having my identity stolen in multiple data breaches. A total pain. Small business loans opened in my name and fake tax returns filed. But these artist/writer personalized appeal scams are so craven--they way they prey on hope.
I can relate. I was offered a job that seemed to align with some of the positions I was applying for. The company was legit (but the scammer just used it). The money was great, and there was freedom in remote work. It seemed too good to be true. It was. That gut feeling had me doing deeper dives- but I did fill out the long interview question and so on. Times are strange. I really appreciated the storytelling and the drawings here. Thanks for sharing. (and sorry that happened)
This is so bonkers and such a detailed, bizarro con. UGH. I'm sorry. As someone who's currently involved in some identity fraud myself (my purse was stolen and the brunette thief went on an actual spree in a Christmas sweater impersonating me at 5 different banks) I'm so sorry that you (and me!) are starting out the year with some time-sucking, soul-sucking, energy wasting nonsense.
Ugh, yes, totally soul sucking! And I feel like such an idiot for falling for it. I hope for both our sakes that the issues clear up quickly and our years turn around!! You’ve got so much to look forward to with your book coming out!!
These are great drawings, Brian! I almost fell for a scam recently. I got a text right after using my card in a bodega ATM saying they detected fraud on my account. If I'd just hit the phone number from the text, I likely would have been scammed. Instead I figured I would call my bank from the number on the back of my card. And when I looked at the text again, after that first flush of upset faded that would have made me reactive, I realized this is fake--it's not from my bank.
You gripped me from top to tail, glad the scam didn’t go all the way through
Holy hell! I’m glad you figured this out, and sharing the details is so helpful to others who might get similar pitches. I do have to say that the fiction writer in me is stuck on the floor manager’s “Ewwww” as a reply to seeing the check, completely unexpected dialogue there 😜 Have been thinking about reviewing contract details for clients myself too, would love to talk about it some time and trade ideas.
Yes, I believe we’re overdue for a walk or meetup!! And OMG, yeah, he later came back to me and said, “that check? Oof.” He was wonderfully expressive!
Long overdue! Let's set it up! And love a good oof!
You’re obviously a great writer (and these illustrations are great too!) because I was rapt reading this! I’m so sorry it happened, and especially around a creative project!
Thank you!! 🙏🏼💖
I worry all the time about whether people contacting me are imposters. I worked for a person who was referred to me, a client who is a solopreneur, someone with no institutional affiliation, and THAT made me very nervous. But: He had a website, a book, a TEDx talk, and a personal relationship with a trusted client of mine. In the end, he was trustworthy but flaky. And it sounds like you’re used to flaky…That makes us susceptible to the Brandons. It sucks not to be able to just trust people!
Absolutely! It’s generally a strange leap of faith to work with someone when your only interaction is online, and the Brandons of the world can take advantage of that, along with our hustle!! Thanks for reading and sharing your experience!
Oh wow. Thank you for sharing! So sorry this happened to you, but glad you seemed to sidestep the worst of it. It's definitely a helpful reminder that emotions can easily cloud judgment. Nice illustrations!
Yikes! I've been a victim of fraud several times after having my identity stolen in multiple data breaches. A total pain. Small business loans opened in my name and fake tax returns filed. But these artist/writer personalized appeal scams are so craven--they way they prey on hope.
Right? That’s the worst part. And also then recognizing that vulnerability in myself. I wanted to believe!
I can relate. I was offered a job that seemed to align with some of the positions I was applying for. The company was legit (but the scammer just used it). The money was great, and there was freedom in remote work. It seemed too good to be true. It was. That gut feeling had me doing deeper dives- but I did fill out the long interview question and so on. Times are strange. I really appreciated the storytelling and the drawings here. Thanks for sharing. (and sorry that happened)
I’m sorry that happened to you!! These things are such an emotional drain and time suck. Strange times indeed.
This is so bonkers and such a detailed, bizarro con. UGH. I'm sorry. As someone who's currently involved in some identity fraud myself (my purse was stolen and the brunette thief went on an actual spree in a Christmas sweater impersonating me at 5 different banks) I'm so sorry that you (and me!) are starting out the year with some time-sucking, soul-sucking, energy wasting nonsense.
Ugh, yes, totally soul sucking! And I feel like such an idiot for falling for it. I hope for both our sakes that the issues clear up quickly and our years turn around!! You’ve got so much to look forward to with your book coming out!!
These are great drawings, Brian! I almost fell for a scam recently. I got a text right after using my card in a bodega ATM saying they detected fraud on my account. If I'd just hit the phone number from the text, I likely would have been scammed. Instead I figured I would call my bank from the number on the back of my card. And when I looked at the text again, after that first flush of upset faded that would have made me reactive, I realized this is fake--it's not from my bank.
Oof. That’s awful and the timing on that one is especially weird. Thanks for sharing and the kind words about the drawings!
Right? They knew what they were doing! And I didn’t realize how deep my insecurity is. Thanks so much for reading.