Chasing individual fake accounts is exhausting. As soon as one profile disappears, automated botnets can stand up an identical clone within 24 hours. Sustainable prevention requires changing how you communicate booking policies to your audience.
Artists should strip direct booking negotiations out of private messages entirely. Update your public bio across all channels to state clearly: "I will NEVER direct message you first for appointments or accept deposits via Cash App/Venmo. Bookings are only accepted via the studio website."
Pin an informative video to the top of your feed explaining the scam mechanics. Remind clients that legitimate studios route commercial transactions through secure, professional booking systems like Square, Boulevard, or Stripe, complete with formal digital receipts.
For collectors and clients, verify the handle down to every character before initiating contact. Search the handle on third-party engines to see when the account was registered. If an artist with 10 years of portfolio work suddenly messages you from an account with zero historical comments and an odd bio link, disengage immediately. Refuse to send deposits via unverified personal transfer apps.
