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Adult Content Creator Protection: Top Scams to Watch For
Creators Spicy Tea firmly believes that the wisdom of the crowd will always be greater than that of the individual. This resource, also titled Common Scams in Online Sex Work: Part One, was created and written by Cinanom. Cinanom is also the creator of the verified creators only discord server, Creators Resources Chats and the better half of Creators Spicy Chats.
This is a two part resource! Keep your eyes peeled for the second part to come through!
Below are some of the most common scams that adult content creators tend to come across.
Paying after a service is completed
Potential clients may approach you with a request to pay after the service is completed. This can happen at the beginning of the conversation or even later, right when payment is expected. Unfortunately, this is a common scam. More often than not, once you’ve delivered the service or sent the content, you find yourself blocked. I’ve even encountered clients who requested to pay only after a physical item arrived at their address.
Clients might offer excuses like “I’ve been scammed before” or “Other providers do this for me all the time.” They may beg and assure you that they will pay as soon as the service is delivered. However, this is almost always a red flag. To protect yourself, it’s crucial to require payment upfront.
One exception I make is with fansites. When a client unlocks a post, it moves into a “purchased” folder. Some clients prefer to unlock content so they can view everything they want in one place. In these instances, I require all but the minimum tip amount upfront ($3 for OnlyFans, $1 for Fansly) and will send the media locked for that tip amount.
Another common scenario involves clients ordering custom content with the promise to unlock it upon receipt. Often, they’ll never unlock or tip for the content and instead wait for it to be posted as PPV or a premade at a lower price. While you’ll still receive compensation for the content, creators typically charge more for custom work than for PPV or premade items, resulting in a potential loss.
This issue can also arise with long-term or repeat clients who have paid in the past. Although it may feel like trust has been established, it’s important to remember that scams can happen at any time. It’s advisable never to skip upfront payment.
If you still want to pursue the sale, consider sharing any positive reviews you have, especially those specifically mentioning the service the potential client is interested in. However, be aware that someone requesting delayed payment may not have genuine intentions to pay you at all.
Picture Collectors
Some scammers collect pictures to see how much free content they can extract from creators. They often disguise their intentions by claiming they need to “verify” that you are the same person your profile depicts. This can involve requests to see how you look today or even to pose in lingerie or compromising positions to ensure you can fulfill their requests. In reality, they have no intention of making a purchase.
To protect yourself, many creators refuse to verify or send pictures outside of paid interactions. If you are verified in strict subreddits like r/sexsells, you can use that verification as proof of your identity. Fansites can also serve as a verification tool, though this would include allowing clients to message your account for free.
Another concern is clients collecting enough of your content to impersonate you. Anything you post can be screen grabbed, and having “verification” pictures or images that you’ve never made public can lend credibility to their impersonation.
When clients request that I verify I use it as an opportunity to age verify them, and will only verify after they have met my requirements. I send a very specific verification picture to ensure my images can’t be misused. My verification consists of a selfie holding a crumpled piece of paper with the day’s date and my username. I never share pictures that reveal my body, nor do I include another person’s username, as this could complicate ownership of the image. I make it clear that verification is a prerequisite for me to verify them.
When they request a verification picture, I often respond with, “Thanks for the reminder! We need to age verify before proceeding with payment. We can verify together!” Then, I explain my age verification process: “As soon as you’ve sent yours over, I’ll send mine!”
As the number of creators utilizing agencies or chatters to manage their accounts continues to rise, it’s understandable that clients want to ensure they’re interacting with the actual creator from whom they’re requesting content. However, it’s crucial for us to remain vigilant and protect ourselves from scammers who seek free content or aim to impersonate us.
Wishlist Scams
If you decide to accept gifts as payment, it’s crucial to exercise caution. Scammers can falsely claim to have purchased items from your wishlist on platforms like Amazon, often screenshotting the order as proof before canceling it shortly after. To protect yourself, always ensure that the gift is in your possession before providing any services or creating content.
Consider using wishlist sites that do not allow cancellations, as these provide a safer alternative—Throne is one such option. However, be aware that chargebacks can still pose a risk. To safeguard your work, never deliver services or content until the gift is securely in your hands.
With Amazon, even after a scammer cancels a transaction, the item may still appear as purchased on your list. Additionally, keep in mind that your city and sometimes your postal code may be public on Amazon wishlists. Be cautious with the “third-party shipping agreement” option; if selected, it allows others to shop from your wishlist through retailers not affiliated with Amazon. In this case, Amazon may share your address with those retailers, potentially revealing it to buyers.
Getting off to the planning of custom content
Some scammers may engage in lengthy discussions about custom content without ever intending to complete the order. Be cautious if clients provide extensive details and request explicit specifics before payment. It’s best to keep initial conversations basic and focus on the broader elements before finalizing any details.
Gather just enough information to determine if you can fulfill the custom request and identify the kinks involved so you can price it appropriately. Never send any pictures before receiving payment; however, you can confirm whether you have the requested lingerie or toys.
“Testing” Scams
This scam may not be immediately obvious, but I fell for it and only realized what was happening when it was too late. A potential client reached out to me claiming they wanted to “test” their boyfriend. I typically require age verification, so I assumed that asking for both “her” and “his” verification would be a dealbreaker. However, the client provided both, so I proceeded with the payment.
After the payment went through, I messaged the “boyfriend” on Snapchat. As the time allotted for the session was nearing its end, the client asked me to keep going so she could catch him in the act when she returned home. She promised to pay for any additional time used. Meanwhile, the “boyfriend” was also pressuring for more time. It was at this point that I realized I had been scammed. The client was using this tactic to extend the session beyond what they had paid for, potentially indulging in a “cheating” fantasy. I suspect the “boyfriend” and “girlfriend” are actually the same person, which allowed them to get extra time for free.
I admit I was suspicious from the beginning but, given my financial situation at the time, I decided to give it a shot. Even though I received payment, this situation is still a scam because they managed to obtain extra time without paying for it. Creators may unknowingly provide more time for free, thinking they are fulfilling a legitimate request.
Scammers Posing as Aspiring Creators
Scammers often message creators, pretending to be individuals interested in starting their own creator journey. They may ask questions designed to elicit degrading or inappropriate responses, aiming to get off on your experiences.
These scammers exploit the fact that you might feel more comfortable opening up to someone you perceive as a potential colleague rather than just a buyer. However, it can be difficult to distinguish between genuine aspiring creators and those with ulterior motives.
To protect yourself, it’s best to cut off any conversations that cross that boundary unless you can verify the person’s authenticity.
Cheque/ Check Scams
Never accept cheques as a form of payment. In today’s world, there are numerous secure payment methods available, so I automatically consider anyone attempting to pay with a cheque to be a potential scammer.
First, to send you a cheque, they need your address, which poses a privacy risk—even if you use a P.O. Box, it’s unwise to confirm your city of residence. Additionally, cheques can bounce, leaving you responsible for fees associated with cashing a bad cheque.
For your safety and peace of mind, it’s best to avoid cheque payments altogether.
Online Sugar Baby Scams
You may receive messages asking if you’ve ever considered being a sugar baby, with scammers promising thousands of dollars a month for online companionship. As someone who has experienced several genuine online sugar relationships, I can tell you that this is not how authentic connections are initiated.
In my experience, every legitimate sugar relationship began with a brief “getting to know you” chat. Sugar relationships differ significantly from standard client-creator interactions. Serious clients interested in a sugar relationship will want to learn more about you before any money is exchanged. They typically inquire about your rates or present a realistic budget, which is rarely in the thousands of dollars.
Stay cautious and discerning—if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Banking information Scam
A prevalent scam involves someone posing as a “CEO” of a company, claiming they want you to be their sugar baby in exchange for a weekly payment of $XXX. They will ask for your banking information to supposedly add you to their payroll.
This is a phishing scam designed to gain access to your banking details. Always be cautious and protect your personal information—never share your banking information with anyone you don’t trust completely.
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