The Federal Trade Commission has issued a new alert warning consumers about an online scam involving an “artist” who wants to pay you to paint your photo.
The scam begins with a direct message on social media from someone who compliments your photo and says they want to send you a check in exchange for permission to paint your photo, according to a news release from the FTC.
Once the check is sent to you, the scammer asks you to deposit it, set aside some money to send to the “artist” for supplies, and keep the rest. The scammer may also promise to reimburse you for any money you send back to them, which is part of the scam, according to FTC.
However, while the check sent to you may look legitimate and the funds may be deposited into your bank account, the check is fake, the FTC says. Therefore, when you send money back …