Artists on DeviantArt or similar platforms sometimes get someone who wants to use their art in a mural because it’s beautiful. They offer a check - just have to know the person’s name and bank - to pay you to use your art.

Of course, there’s a catch. You’re getting paid a certain amount, but you keep some and then send the rest on to the artist. And of course, they want you to send via venmo, or cashapp, or Paypal friends & family.

Needless to say that the check funds will be pulled back but the money you sent on to the artist - well, the same scammer - is gone.

How to protect yourself
Here’s the red flags on this one:

1. There is no need for the person to know where you bank at. You don’t need to know where someone banks to send them a check.
2. The check sent via the internet. It’s not that hard to fake a check, and there is no legit reason for a check to be sent via email.
3. You’re being requested to send money on to someone, especially via a way that is non-recoverable.

The really big thing to keep in mind is that you should never be requested to send money onto someone else. In this case, why is the person paying you requiring you to pay the artist/send money on for supplies? Shouldn’t they do that? Why would the artist getting the request have to pay anybody anything?