Mirz123

(Cross-posted with @mirz333)

I hate to be reactionary, and since I do not want to accuse anyone who may have been sincere, I will not name-names. However, I was recently approached by someone who stated they wanted me to be their muse and use my @mirz333 gallery as inspiration for a commission they were working on and would pay me. I said, "sure, but no payment required." However, it did not stop there. This person then seemingly ignored what I had said and stated we were in a "collaboration" and wanted me to accept a check payment for the commission -- wherein I would take my cut, then forward the difference to the artist. They then asked for my bank information and my mailing address. (They were also very insistent when I didn't answer their messages right away.)

As @ravenswd said, a new spin on an old scam.

A warning, NEVER give out your mailing address to a stranger. And certainly NEVER give out your banking information. There are secure ways to pay and get paid online, through Paypal and other services. I personally have commissioned hundreds of artists over the years and paid money to them (as well as receiving payment for a few commissions I did for others) and rarely had an issue. However, it was always secure transactions and never anything where I had to share personal information.

I should note, I have shared my mailing address with people who became my friends and we exchanged cards and art-gifts. However, never to anyone I hadn't gotten to know first, and certainly not anyone I had just met.

With respect to this artist -- I was worried at first that I would offend the person. I understand the situation may have been legitimate, which is why I was not nasty about it. I explained the situation and why I was doing what I did. However, never take a chance and do something risky for the sake of not-hurting-someone's-feelings.

For anyone who knows me knows that I used to be uber-active on DA and it was due to a scam wherein someone approached me about interest in my fiction series, that I fled the internet for years. The "interest" turned out to be a scam, and the fall-out was so bad I ended up deleting most of my online accounts. Granted, back then my situation was a bit more complicated, as I was in emotional and financial dire-straits -- dealing with my mother's cancer and losing my house in foreclosure -- and was easy pickings for a scammer. Still, these people target anyone under any circumstances.

So, breaking my semi-sabbatical for this PSA. It's a scary world. Keep safe and protect yourself.

Sharing from my other account:

http://www.deviantart.com/mirz333/art/6WS-978233189

Forced hiatus. Life hits hard, again.

When I return, I have a feeling it will be the same circumstances.

Until then...

That is actually my fever temperature, not the outside temperature. But, wait, that IS the outside temperature. Ugh. Sucks being ill when it is "fry an egg on the pavement" weather. Like most of the rest of the U.S., we are suffering through record breaking temperatures. Hot as Hell is a literal saying. Of course, I have to go and get sick. Having started a new job, no sick days, so just riding it out. Lots of collapsing into bed when I get home. Blah. I am actually at work now, on a Saturday, waiting for @ravenswd to get here to help me set up my new computer. (BTW, I have the Plants vs. Zombies soundtrack playing in the background.)

Anyhow, my posting has been erratic the last few days. But, be assured, I am not going anywhere. The pixelling has been therapeutic. Since it is sickies keeping me at bay, no fouls. The previous day's flags just get double exposure, or triple, or whatever.

Thank to my new watchers. Back in the day -- before DA wiped my account -- I had thousands of watchers. I am extremely grateful for the 50+ I have now. I promise I won't do the flags forever. For now, however, they are what the muse is calling for.

<3

Update: 17 hours. That was how long I was jobless. I got a job this morning, and the funny thing is I had a dream about this business YEARS ago. Such a crazy deja vu moment. But I have had a lot of those lately. Anyhow, this morning I had a dream that I need to continue posting the flag pixels. Crazy, eh? Maybe it is like Princess Bride and the pixels are keeping someone sane while they or sick, or something like that. But, far be it from me to argue.

Still dealing with car issues, but I feel strongly that the end is near. That is what the email said. What email? Yeah, another dream. My subconscious is going overtime.

Posting today's flags in a few hours.

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Well, I knew it was coming. I lost my job. It was a fairly unfamiliar area of law than I was used to and I was struggling; they knew it. It was mutually agreed, though it is never fun being let-go. Not the best timing with our car issues, but I have long ago learned that all things happen for a reason. Anyhow, I need to focus on a job search and trying to get things in order in my life. I will continue the daily flag project, but in private. I am not sure when I will be back, but odd are it won't be for a while. That said, I guarantee I will have a stockpile of art when I return. Might be pixels, might be paintings, might be hand-drawn flags. Might be all 3. But, like the Energizer Bunny, I will...

Just a sorry and thank-you to my watchers. Sorry for blitzkreiging your in-box. I have been struggling in my new job. It is an area of law I only had a bit of hands-on experience in and it is turning out to be a large learning curve -- and I am having a hard time. Not to mention, my boss expected me to be further along and "get it" by now. I hate having so much experience overall, but being the total moron of the office. *sigh* So, a lot of stress pixelling. Plus, you know, flag project. I have to do the pixels right. STRESS. Anyhow, a thank you for all of the faves and support. I do sincerely appreciate it.