Author Topic: Locked out of account at bigstock (Read 12800 times)

jbarber873 · « **on:** October 05, 2010, 08:49 »

Over the weekend i noticed a huge jump in sales at bigstock, like $90 in two days, way over the normal. Yesterday i went to log in and an error comes up " log in failed due to administrative reasons". I sent an email to support, and they came back with an email that said I have been logged out because of "suspicious activity".
I guess this is code for " we took another bad credit card, and your files are now free to anyone who wants them". I notice a lot of threads about adjustments and credits, so it seems that when they make a mistake, we pay.
Has anyone else had this experience? It really makes me wonder about the controls they have in place. And why would they lock me out? So they can cover their tracks?

RacePhoto · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2010, 09:15 »

Quote from: jbarber873 on October 05, 2010, 08:49

Over the weekend i noticed a huge jump in sales at bigstock, like $90 in two days, way over the normal. Yesterday i went to log in and an error comes up " log in failed due to administrative reasons". I sent an email to support, and they came back with an email that said I have been logged out because of "suspicious activity".
I guess this is code for " we took another bad credit card, and your files are now free to anyone who wants them". I notice a lot of threads about adjustments and credits, so it seems that when they make a mistake, we pay.
Has anyone else had this experience? It really makes me wonder about the controls they have in place. And why would they lock me out? So they can cover their tracks?

It's called closing the stable door after the horses were already out.

Funny how that works. They get a bad credit card, you get your images stolen and their answer after the whole thing, is close your account? The crook has come and gone and vanished. Unless you are lucky and someone with a real account and card, liked your work and downloaded a big batch! So BS is verifying that it was a legit purchase. That would be a nice outcome.

lisafx · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2010, 09:27 »

I think we have all been victims of stolen cards buying our images before. Usually they just take back the money from the fraudulent sale. I have never had my account closed because of it.

I don't think they would have closed your account due to "suspicious activity" unless they think you are somehow involved. Maybe the thief only bought your images?

You really should follow up with them about exactly what kind of activity they are talking about.

borg · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2010, 11:01 »

Quote from: lisafx on October 05, 2010, 09:27

I think we have all been victims of stolen cards buying our images before. Usually they just take back the money from the fraudulent sale. I have never had my account closed because of it.

I don't think they would have closed your account due to "suspicious activity" unless they think you are somehow involved. Maybe the thief only bought your images?

You really should follow up with them about exactly what kind of activity they are talking about.

It seems that every stolen card on this world have to be used for buying images , every thief on this world likes digital art...

lisafx · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2010, 12:23 »

Quote from: borg on October 05, 2010, 11:01

It seems that every stolen card on this world have to be used for buying images , every thief on this world likes digital art...

LOL! You are so right Borg! Maybe we should be flattered we are supplying the criminal element with "art"...

Renee · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2010, 14:21 »

LOL! You are so right Borg! Maybe we should be flattered we are supplying the criminal element with "art"...

[/quote]

I think it is a big business. Lets face it criminals are ugly ikky people rub a little art on them and they are yummy like the nice people.

jbarber873 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2010, 15:15 »

Quote from: Renee on October 05, 2010, 14:21

LOL! You are so right Borg! Maybe we should be flattered we are supplying the criminal element with "art"...

I think it is a big business. Lets face it criminals are ugly ikky people rub a little art on them and they are yummy like the nice people.
[/quote]

Renee- This , of course, could also apply to politicians! Maybe there's a market for "criminal and politician art"? Maybe my work is right up their alley!

Lisa- I got a further email today telling me that my account might be reinstated if their "investigation" ends well. they don't sound like they want to tell me any more than that, but we'll see. Maybe there is a big fan of mine just dying to buy my images!

lisafx · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2010, 16:13 »

Quote from: jbarber873 on October 05, 2010, 15:15

Lisa- I got a further email today telling me that my account might be reinstated if their "investigation" ends well. they don't sound like they want to tell me any more than that, but we'll see. Maybe there is a big fan of mine just dying to buy my images!

Hope it concludes quickly and in your favor

FWIW, I have always found BigStock staff to be extremely fair, so you have good reason to be confident.

Renee · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2010, 16:15 »

jbarber873 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2010, 17:31 »

Quote from: Renee on October 05, 2010, 16:15

Renee- This , of course, could also apply to politicians! Maybe there's a market for "criminal and politician art"? Maybe my work is right up their alley!

Lisa- I got a further email today telling me that my account might be reinstated if their "investigation" ends well. they don't sound like they want to tell me any more than that, but we'll see. Maybe there is a big fan of mine just dying to buy my images!

So they are investigating you? That sounds asinine, lets all blame the victim. Were the images too sexy I bet they were, you went and created sexy art, well then....you must have wanted them to be stolen, that must be it? lol

I think a new site something like art sluts come one come all were just given' it away! I suppose politicians would be our best customers then it would be the jerkwads that steal art, followed by idiots that like to take candy from babies...Can you see it? LMAO
[/quote]

Unfortunately, having been married over 30 years, I long ago learned that I was not allowed to shoot "sexy art" or "art sluts"! Although it sounds like fun, i only shoot still life. The mystery continues...

lisafx · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2010, 17:50 »

Quote from: jbarber873 on October 05, 2010, 17:31

Unfortunately, having been married over 30 years, I long ago learned that I was not allowed to shoot "sexy art" or "art sluts"! Although it sounds like fun, i only shoot still life. The mystery continues...

Good man! Way to stay married another 30

On the subject (but not on-topic

), I am surprised by how many offers I get to shoot nude or glamour photographs. I have ZERO interest in shooting that stuff, but people seem so shocked when I turn them down...

It's nuts, anyone who has seen my portfolio knows that it is one of the most un-glamorous collections of people photos anywhere in the microstock world, LOL.

scottbraut · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2010, 18:25 »

Dear all,

Like other businesses (with credit card companies being the obvious example), we have a number of security controls, alerts and procedures in place. If we notice unusual activity on any account and we suspect that activity isn't legitimate, we'll pause the accounts to protect the parties involved and investigate the transactions. Pausing an account doesn't mean that we suspect all of the users involved, it simply indicates that we want to stop the flow of transactions or downloads for review. Mr. Barber's account will be active again soon. He is not suspected of any wrongdoing.

These tools and procedures exist to protect our contributors and create a safe environment for everyone. Thanks for your understanding.

Best Regards,

Scott
Bigstock

lisafx · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2010, 18:51 »

Thanks for explaining how it works, Scott

jbarber873 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 05, 2010, 19:00 »

Thanks for the update. Hopefully this will be resolved soon.

donding · « **Reply #14 on:** October 05, 2010, 19:03 »

Thanks Scott for explaining.....you gotta admit it says a lot about a company that will come here and answers our concerns. Thanks

jbarber873 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 05, 2010, 19:05 »

Quote from: lisafx on October 05, 2010, 17:50

Quote from: jbarber873 on October 05, 2010, 17:31

Unfortunately, having been married over 30 years, I long ago learned that I was not allowed to shoot "sexy art" or "art sluts"! Although it sounds like fun, i only shoot still life. The mystery continues...

Good man! Way to stay married another 30

On the subject (but not on-topic ), I am surprised by how many offers I get to shoot nude or glamour photographs. I have ZERO interest in shooting that stuff, but people seem so shocked when I turn them down...

It's nuts, anyone who has seen my portfolio knows that it is one of the most un-glamorous collections of people photos anywhere in the microstock world, LOL.

Lisa, I would have plenty of interest in shooting that kind of stuff, but as i say, I'm not allowed.... Plus, people talk and move around and complain when you try to hot glue them so they stay still.

lisafx · « **Reply #16 on:** October 06, 2010, 11:04 »

Quote from: jbarber873 on October 05, 2010, 19:05

Plus, people talk and move around and complain when you try to hot glue them so they stay still.

LOL! Yeah, I have that problem all the time too

RacePhoto · « **Reply #17 on:** October 06, 2010, 13:19 »

I turn down Weddings and Bar Mitzvah's also.

But I will do birthday parties and anniversaries because people are having fun and not all freaked out and stressed out.

Quote from: lisafx on October 05, 2010, 17:50

Quote from: jbarber873 on October 05, 2010, 17:31

Unfortunately, having been married over 30 years, I long ago learned that I was not allowed to shoot "sexy art" or "art sluts"! Although it sounds like fun, i only shoot still life. The mystery continues...

Good man! Way to stay married another 30

On the subject (but not on-topic ), I am surprised by how many offers I get to shoot nude or glamour photographs. I have ZERO interest in shooting that stuff, but people seem so shocked when I turn them down...

It's nuts, anyone who has seen my portfolio knows that it is one of the most un-glamorous collections of people photos anywhere in the microstock world, LOL.

FD · « **Reply #18 on:** October 06, 2010, 13:52 »

Quote from: lisafx on October 05, 2010, 17:50

On the subject (but not on-topic ), I am surprised by how many offers I get to shoot nude or glamour photographs. I have ZERO interest in shooting that stuff, but people seem so shocked when I turn them down...

Ah, you too? I get turned off when I see nudity on a model site. The more nude a model wants to be, the more unable to act and look nextdoor. Glamor is fine in a TFP shoot, on condition I can do my shots first. It happens they run off after the glamor claiming they are "too tired" for the "boring" stuff.

leaf · « **Reply #19 on:** October 06, 2010, 14:09 »

Quote from: scottbraut on October 05, 2010, 18:25

Dear all,

Like other businesses (with credit card companies being the obvious example), we have a number of security controls, alerts and procedures in place. If we notice unusual activity on any account and we suspect that activity isn't legitimate, we'll pause the accounts to protect the parties involved and investigate the transactions. Pausing an account doesn't mean that we suspect all of the users involved, it simply indicates that we want to stop the flow of transactions or downloads for review. Mr. Barber's account will be active again soon. He is not suspected of any wrongdoing.

These tools and procedures exist to protect our contributors and create a safe environment for everyone. Thanks for your understanding.

Best Regards,

Scott
Bigstock

Thanks for the info Scott. That put's things into perspective. It is nice to hear both sides.
I hope things get back to normal soon for you jbarber873

jbarber873 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 06, 2010, 16:37 »

Just got back on line a couple of days being locked out. It looks like they took out a few sales but left most of them. Initially they promised to explain what they were doing, but so far just a terse email saying that i was back on line. Hopefully this is back to normal. My sales at bigstock were slowly increasing, so hopefully that will continue.
My take on it is that there is someone out there who just can't live without my images, and has decided to collect them all!
I wish i could get a few more like that!
Thanks again to Scott from Bigstock who took the time to respond to this thread.

lisafx · « **Reply #21 on:** October 06, 2010, 16:51 »

Glad to hear you're back online and only lost a few sales.

jbarber873 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 06, 2010, 16:53 »

PPS.-
Scott himself emailed me to explain the procedure and apologize for the lockout, which is 100% more help than any other microstock site has ever bothered to give. Go Scott!

rubyroo · « **Reply #23 on:** October 06, 2010, 17:21 »

So glad you're up and running again J

cathyslife · « **Reply #24 on:** October 06, 2010, 19:05 »

Quote from: scottbraut on October 05, 2010, 18:25

Dear all,

Like other businesses (with credit card companies being the obvious example), we have a number of security controls, alerts and procedures in place. If we notice unusual activity on any account and we suspect that activity isn't legitimate, we'll pause the accounts to protect the parties involved and investigate the transactions. Pausing an account doesn't mean that we suspect all of the users involved, it simply indicates that we want to stop the flow of transactions or downloads for review. Mr. Barber's account will be active again soon. He is not suspected of any wrongdoing.

These tools and procedures exist to protect our contributors and create a safe environment for everyone. Thanks for your understanding.

Best Regards,

Scott
Bigstock

This is so cool that Scott took the time to come here and explain how that works. I am glad that jbarber was not a part of any wrongdoing and I am very impressed with the BigStock communication. Very much appreciated.

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Author Topic: Locked out of account at bigstock (Read 12800 times)

jbarber873

RacePhoto

lisafx

borg

lisafx

Renee

jbarber873

lisafx

Renee

jbarber873

lisafx

scottbraut

lisafx

jbarber873

donding

jbarber873

lisafx

RacePhoto

FD

leaf

jbarber873

lisafx

jbarber873

rubyroo

cathyslife

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