Hi all,

Wondering if any of you got an email from "Gerry Hickey" who claims to be with "Atomic Media" in London and Belgium expressing interest in your work?

I got such an email yesterday and can't figure out if the guy is legit or if it's a scam. The guy claims to be researching artists on Renderosity and claims to have contacted me and others about the possibility of using our work in connection with his cell phone business. Frankly, the details are confusing, which is why I'm asking who else got this email and what you made of it.

Many thanks! :)

Steve

i got it & finally blew it off after writing him back for more information & discussing it with GeneB... i mean how much is someone going to pay for the use of one of your images for a screen saver on a cell phone! rolls eyes & the contract was too complicated & he seemed kind of desperate but that's mine & Gene's opinion, don't let me sway you :] (i hope that was ok to say & i didn't just publically flame him... :/)

Message edited on: 09/07/2004 15:01

Probably all e-mail contact concerning anything that requires your input that is not accompanied with a valid geographical phone number or address are scams.

Phone screens are very small he could just take what he wants and resize it, without you I or anyone else knowing a thing about it.

I get more than my fair share of e-mail scams to my website every week and dont even waste my time with them.

Any legitimate contact will either

1. leave a valid phone number and or physical business address

or

2 leave a business website address that has a valid phone number and or physical business address and maybe also a privacy statment. There is a legitimate website dedicated to exposing all the scams. I would not post the link here as I feel that some of the content is unsuitable for this forum.

Maybe I am a little cynical but no contact details = delete
If this is a legitimate offer then I am sorry but the few bad eggs make it hard for the genuine people to gain the trust of the many.

Message edited on: 09/07/2004 16:37

very true Simon... now there was a phone # & address for this guy, so it may be legit... just didn't feel right to me... probably just missed out on a fortune to be made!

Attached Link: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=Atomic+Media&btnG=Search&meta=

the website he provided us with had to have a special code or be a cellular customer to enter

Sorry to say (in my opinion)it's a no go'er Why would you need a special code for a legitimate site? I know our images are fantastic :-) This is where I get really cynical! Maybe by putting in "special codes" you give away your IP address or something that opens a vulnerability. Sorry but I am very sceptical, this is the net and a faceless community and have trouble trusting some people.

As cynlee says, he did provide an apparently valid phone number and address... still it feels fishy. His language throughout the email is convoluted and just plain odd. It's very difficult to understand what he's offering or asking or selling or whatever. And when I did a Google search, I could find nothing about "Atomic Media" in England or Belgium. I think the advice to stay away is probably wise. Thanks all for the response! :)

Think this may be a Moderator issue, but frankly BTSOOM what the deal is. If someone would supply me with an address, I'd issue a "stern warning." My advice is to hold on to your credit card numbers, don't sign anything, and if it looks too good to be true it is 'prolly too good to be true. That being said, one would think that 'osity would be a good source for legitimate art directors to look for stock material. Any ideas how we could better promote this?

I trust no one...just those I sort of know...You gotta follow Your own "gut feeling"...as "phisers" abound, as do Mass Mailers...even on this Site...and...mass Collecting of Images abounds..I Personally treat every "unknown" Phone Call as Telephone Scams, every "unknown" Door Knocker as a Thief...every IM from a Stranger ..."Come look at My Post" with distrust...and delete. If tempted, ask for a "Hard Copy" Letter...I use a Box Number...or C/O: My Lawyer....this is My Personal Opinion Steve :]

I got the email too and wrote back for clarification on some things he said... didnt seem to add up... Anyways i never heard anything from him again. Looks like he emailed about everyone on rr lol I think its some kind of prank, but i just dont understand the motives ... :S

Sometimes People "Patronize" to gain One's Confidence, this is not a reflection on Artistic ability (sob..boo hoo..I got no Letter)...however, I have encountered many "Bestest Friends" ...who put Me on a Pedestal, slapped My Back, Kissed My A***...but, the motive was $$$$$. I once again, stress ..."Stranger Danger"...and Mass Mailers :]