100% Total scam. There would be absolutely no reason to bring you in as a third party to deal with financial issues. Legally that would have liability written all over it. A contract allegedly existed between the artist and the company. No such contract would cover a third party involvement. If it walks like a duck…
Yes. as soon as they introduced the "workaround" due to her divorce, I said goodbye. They have a pretty slick operation, using the name of a real company that makes it seem like they are legitimate until you start digging deeper into it.
I've actually turned off my messages for my author page on Instagram because all I ever got was a never-ending parade of people trying to sell me their services. Facebook hasn't been as bad for that. Most of the unwanted messages there have been from men who seem to think it's a dating site. "Hey pretty lady" = immediate block.
Hi, I just wanted to say that the exact same thing happened to me (right down to the text message from the artist saying she was going through a divorce). Of course I immediately thought this was a scam and googled "'mural masters' scam," which brought me to your page.
I noticed that the so-called Mural Masters contacted me via an email address that was different from the one listed on their website. So I do wonder if the actual Mural Masters is possibly a legit business that has been co-opted by scammers? And if so maybe someone should notify them about this?
Oh my goodness! Was her name Wendy? So this is an ongoing operation they have.
Yes, I think we should both contact the Mural Masters through their website and let them know that someone is scamming in their name. Good catch comparing he email addresses. I didn't think to do that. I looked up their website and they are in Maryland, like she said, but I never went much further until I got the email about the payment.
No, it was someone named Kim. Her FB profile looks somewhat legit, and at the moment I'm trying to figure out if she was in on the scam or if she was being scammed too. Yes, we should totally contact MM just to let them know, in case they are legit.
Update. I received feedback from the real Mural Masters. They are aware of the scam but there isn't much they can do about it. They were very understanding and offered the following suggestion,
"I did find out that you can report them to FCC and to the FBI. The FBI internet fraud website is ic3.gov. I just found this out and encouraging as many people as I can to report them. Meta won't do anything even though you should report them to Meta as well."
Maybe if enough people report them, the FBI will look into it. I think I will forward the emails from Wendy and the fake Mural Masters to them.
Thanks for the info, I'll also report them to the FCC and FBI. The FB profile was also in on the scam, and I reported that and the phone number for scams.
Dawn, always trust your instincts. That’s why we have them. They tried playing with your emotions 🚩 by way of flattery and pity. Any time someone wants to send you a check then have you send them part of it back, is a huge red flag 🚩 and a common scam. Also, they contacted you. 🚩
Like I said in my post, I have been contacted multiple times by editors and journalists, so that didn't seem too strange. But when the payment arrangement came up, I knew it was fishy.
Sounds shady to me. Also, would you be willing to expand on how you connected with other writers on Facebook? I joined fb this past fall around the same time I joined Substack so am still figuring things out. Thank you!
The growth of my Facebook friends began organically. I attended a few different writing related workshops over the past couple of years. With each one, I gained a couple new friends. Over the past year, I've been looking at the friends of friends and sending requests to those with whom I have many mutual friends. After a while, they began sending requests to me.
Argh!!!!
Elon wants me to bear his next child, so let me respond before I get too busy. It sounds legit to me.
He may have made the same offer to me, but I had to decline because I've had a hysterectomy. There's no womb at the inn.
100% Total scam. There would be absolutely no reason to bring you in as a third party to deal with financial issues. Legally that would have liability written all over it. A contract allegedly existed between the artist and the company. No such contract would cover a third party involvement. If it walks like a duck…
Yes. as soon as they introduced the "workaround" due to her divorce, I said goodbye. They have a pretty slick operation, using the name of a real company that makes it seem like they are legitimate until you start digging deeper into it.
Scams abound. And they are often clever. And yes, we as authors get legit offers all the time that turn into great opportunities. Good call.
I've actually turned off my messages for my author page on Instagram because all I ever got was a never-ending parade of people trying to sell me their services. Facebook hasn't been as bad for that. Most of the unwanted messages there have been from men who seem to think it's a dating site. "Hey pretty lady" = immediate block.
Yep. Immediate block!
Hi, I just wanted to say that the exact same thing happened to me (right down to the text message from the artist saying she was going through a divorce). Of course I immediately thought this was a scam and googled "'mural masters' scam," which brought me to your page.
I noticed that the so-called Mural Masters contacted me via an email address that was different from the one listed on their website. So I do wonder if the actual Mural Masters is possibly a legit business that has been co-opted by scammers? And if so maybe someone should notify them about this?
Oh my goodness! Was her name Wendy? So this is an ongoing operation they have.
Yes, I think we should both contact the Mural Masters through their website and let them know that someone is scamming in their name. Good catch comparing he email addresses. I didn't think to do that. I looked up their website and they are in Maryland, like she said, but I never went much further until I got the email about the payment.
I'm going to contact them right now.
No, it was someone named Kim. Her FB profile looks somewhat legit, and at the moment I'm trying to figure out if she was in on the scam or if she was being scammed too. Yes, we should totally contact MM just to let them know, in case they are legit.
Update. I received feedback from the real Mural Masters. They are aware of the scam but there isn't much they can do about it. They were very understanding and offered the following suggestion,
"I did find out that you can report them to FCC and to the FBI. The FBI internet fraud website is ic3.gov. I just found this out and encouraging as many people as I can to report them. Meta won't do anything even though you should report them to Meta as well."
Maybe if enough people report them, the FBI will look into it. I think I will forward the emails from Wendy and the fake Mural Masters to them.
Thanks for the info, I'll also report them to the FCC and FBI. The FB profile was also in on the scam, and I reported that and the phone number for scams.
I just sent an email through their contact form.
Definitely good call! I'm so tired of scammers! It's exhausting having to be so aware and suspicious of everything!
I'm naturally suspicious, but this one almost got me until the payment situation appeared.
Good call. Sketchy for sure. About $4200 worth of sketchiness.
I know! That's like over a month of income for someone to lose out on. Hopefully they don't catch anyone else in their snare.
Scam Alert. I’m glad to were able to recognize that it could go either way, but followed your instincts.
Yeah, it sounded legit at first, but then it got really fishy.
Good eye in recognizing the scam. Thank you for sharing it so others will be aware
I hope nobody else falls prey to this scam. I alerted others in my writing groups to be aware.
Definitely a scam, you did the right, smart thing!
This seems to be the unanimous answer.
Dawn, always trust your instincts. That’s why we have them. They tried playing with your emotions 🚩 by way of flattery and pity. Any time someone wants to send you a check then have you send them part of it back, is a huge red flag 🚩 and a common scam. Also, they contacted you. 🚩
Like I said in my post, I have been contacted multiple times by editors and journalists, so that didn't seem too strange. But when the payment arrangement came up, I knew it was fishy.
Holy hell. You dodged a bullet for sure. How stupid do they think people are?
I'm sure someone will fall for it if they try enough times.
Sad but true.
100% a scam. And now I'll be on my toes if I get that kind of message! Thanks!
Forewarned is forearmed.
100% scam.
It sounds like everyone is in agreement on that.
Sounds shady to me. Also, would you be willing to expand on how you connected with other writers on Facebook? I joined fb this past fall around the same time I joined Substack so am still figuring things out. Thank you!
Thanks 👍🏼
The growth of my Facebook friends began organically. I attended a few different writing related workshops over the past couple of years. With each one, I gained a couple new friends. Over the past year, I've been looking at the friends of friends and sending requests to those with whom I have many mutual friends. After a while, they began sending requests to me.
That is surely a scam.
That is the consensus.