So there I was, going back and forth with a scammer and with a mediator from the gig services company. Of course, every time someone asked a question or made a promise, that extends the timeline by 1-2 days. I kept working in good faith towards a resolution, but remained adamant that I could not use the delivered art unless it could be proven to be human created.

Every time the "artist" made a new claim that he could deliver some kind of proof, the clock resets as I need time to review and provide feedback, etc. and the scammer was working the clock so that they can take off with the money (and the customer service mediator kept insisting they could do nothing since the scammer was claiming they could provide proof.)

I happen to dabble in art, though I don't do it for my books besides graphic design/layout pieces. I could see that the "artist" had probably done this before and sent in his "proof" in an obscure file format that only other artists would be able to use (and which I have the software for) which shows, well, nothing... no proof as claimed. Once Mr. Scammer realized I wasn't some artistically illiterate person and saw that the jig was up, they deactivated their account to prevent further communication from me.

That allowed the customer service agent the opportunity to make a verdict since it became obvious the "artist" was trying to make off with all the money. Luckily, since I'd been proactive, I got all that tied up within the system and the scammer got the boot with me getting my funds back...

But what does that mean for the Horror Holiday Cards? They are still happening. I have plenty of artist friends and a guy who did some art for one of my board games is doing something similarly themed, but artistically like the old Frosty cartoon meets macabre, and I'm excited for it... he only cost a little more to hire, and I'm happy to do it! PLUS, it will be complete in time to have the cards created (domestically) and included in the fulfillment of physical orders.

Huzzah!

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