Author Topic: Shutterstock not taking any action on reported thieves accounts (Read 2674 times)

Graphic_Designer · « **on:** January 21, 2025, 22:43 »

cobalt · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2025, 01:39 »

This is terrible. If the merger goes through I hope Getty cleans this up.

Graphic_Designer · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2025, 10:56 »

It's good to see Shutterstock removed many of those accounts, But still many accounts active... And I managed to find few more accounts(and many of these accounts seems to be running by that same person).

After removing those thieves accounts, "Green Screen" videos reduced from 7lakh+ to 6,17,000...more than 80000 videos removed by closing those thieves accounts...

Links of new portfolios that I found
1) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/AngelFairy/video ----108 videos
2) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/BashirAhmad45/video ---342 videos
3) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Muhammad-Abid/video ----1703 videos
4) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Moh+Naylul+marom/video ----2266 videos
5) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Sari079/video ----535 videos
6) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Muhammadismail3333/video ----950 videos
7) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/wania+zoya/video ----266 videos

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/waniaprincess/video ----601 videos
9) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/zoya+shahbaz+25/video ----1045 videos
10) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/muhammadbashirahmad/video ---987 videos
11) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/wendiapriadi/video ----3252

More than 23000 videos are still online from above thieves accounts....And there are many more accounts that I am still trying to find...

Graphic_Designer · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2025, 22:50 »

I reported above accounts to shutterstock, and made them closed. And I noticed that they are again creating new accounts and uploading same content that stolen from apps.
1) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/anaya45/video
2) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Zoya+Abid45/video

cobalt · « **Reply #4 on:** February 09, 2025, 03:42 »

With ai you would expect them to automatically detect stolen content if it gets uploaded again.

Also wouldn't they have a fraud department looking for this?

Why do they rely on contributors reporting?

stocker2011 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2025, 17:09 »

Quote from: Graphic_Designer on February 08, 2025, 22:50

I reported above accounts to shutterstock, and made them closed. And I noticed that they are again creating new accounts and uploading same content that stolen from apps.
1) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/anaya45/video
2) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Zoya+Abid45/video

Is this premade footage that's already being sold by a private company?

If so, then why not just notify the company and save yourself the time and hassle of playing whack-a-mole?

Graphic_Designer · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2025, 04:13 »

Quote from: stocker2011 on February 09, 2025, 17:09

Quote from: Graphic_Designer on February 08, 2025, 22:50
I reported above accounts to shutterstock, and made them closed. And I noticed that they are again creating new accounts and uploading same content that stolen from apps.
1) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/anaya45/video
2) https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Zoya+Abid45/video

Is this premade footage that's already being sold by a private company?

If so, then why not just notify the company and save yourself the time and hassle of playing whack-a-mole?

They are stealing default effects from apps.

I am not looking for someone to help to close those accounts... I am mailing to shutterstock, and mailing to customer support of apps from where they stealing effects.

I am just posting here to let other contributors know how things going on...

stoker2014 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2025, 07:53 »

To create an account, you need to upload a valid passport. Do these people have so many passports?
After all, Shutterstock not only deletes the portfolio, it also blacklists the author by passport.

cobalt · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2025, 10:30 »

if you have a large extended family you have enough passports...or they just pay some money to use someones identity...or fake passports

kuriouskat · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2025, 04:26 »

Quote from: stoker2014 on February 10, 2025, 07:53

To create an account, you need to upload a valid passport. Do these people have so many passports?
After all, Shutterstock not only deletes the portfolio, it also blacklists the author by passport.

Not these days, a photo ID isn't required.

stoker2014 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2025, 04:56 »

Quote from: kuriouskat on February 11, 2025, 04:26

Quote from: stoker2014 on February 10, 2025, 07:53
To create an account, you need to upload a valid passport. Do these people have so many passports?
After all, Shutterstock not only deletes the portfolio, it also blacklists the author by passport.

Not these days, a photo ID isn't required.

If I get banned from Shutterstock, can I create another account and not show Shutterstock any of my documents?
I think you are wrong.

Graphic_Designer · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2025, 06:48 »

here is one more portfolio that created again with same stolen effects.
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/WaniaAbid45/video

and once compare the videos in another portfolio belongs to them
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Zoya+Abid45/video

and check account creation dates for both portfolios

stoker2014 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2025, 07:36 »

I also want to create many accounts and not be blocked. I will not sell stolen goods!

gnirtS · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2025, 07:51 »

Quote from: stoker2014 on February 10, 2025, 07:53

To create an account, you need to upload a valid passport. Do these people have so many passports?
After all, Shutterstock not only deletes the portfolio, it also blacklists the author by passport.

It does not have to be a passport and i believe now, not even photo.

Nothing stopping someone from using their driving licence, national ID it ID from their wife/sister/47 cousins neighbour and so on. Which most of Pakistan seem to be doing.

kuriouskat · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2025, 12:12 »

Quote from: stoker2014 on February 11, 2025, 04:56

Quote from: kuriouskat on February 11, 2025, 04:26
Quote from: stoker2014 on February 10, 2025, 07:53
To create an account, you need to upload a valid passport. Do these people have so many passports?
After all, Shutterstock not only deletes the portfolio, it also blacklists the author by passport.

Not these days, a photo ID isn't required.
If I get banned from Shutterstock, can I create another account and not show Shutterstock any of my documents?
I think you are wrong.

I'm not wrong. Account verification is done on email alone, but Shutterstock will ask for sight of further documents in some circumstances if they are suspicious about anything.

However, you can't use the same payment account as another account holder, and presumably this would also apply to past accounts? Adding an account that's been previously used is likely to be a red flag that will result in further investigation.

You also have to provide a Tax ID number, and his is where many of the fraudsters come unstuck, as they suddenly realise that using a false name means they can't submit the tax form and therefore can't get paid.

stoker2014 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2025, 13:18 »

kuriouskat, I don't know what the rules are now for registering a new account, but when my document was about to expire, Shutterstock required me to upload a new document. Maybe Shutterstock doesn't require this anymore.
Yes, a person has only one Tax ID number. But it can be faked, because it's a photo, you can change any number. And the Tax ID number is only needed if the fraudster fills out a tax form, but he may not fill it out.
As for the payment account, it probably has to be strictly individual on Shutterstock (not necessary on other stocks). And yes, it's unclear how the fraudster will withdraw money. Shutterstock sends money only to 3 payment systems. Maybe you can have multiple accounts on Skrill, but I'm not sure.
So, if the fraudster can't withdraw money, how does he withdraw it?

It seems that you can also create an account on PayPal without documents. But PayPal does not work in all countries. Just as Skrill and Payoneer do not work in all countries.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2025, 14:10 »

Unless they have changed, PayPal doesn't require any ID. But you'll need a bank account to get your money? So email address and bank account, you can have all the PayPal accounts you want.

Last I looked SSTK asks for an email address, that's it. Yeah, tax ID, which anyone can make up. Address, which apparently everyone in (Asian country here) uses their neighbors, relatives or access to unlimited mailing addresses? Does SSTK care where you live, after you sign up?

I think it's funny that some people here are asking about fake credentials, or IDs, and why the agencies don't check better. But when Alamy asked for your Birthday, people went into conspiracy mode, "why do they need that?" "Hell no that's private" Yeah, something as simple as a birthday? But those same people want SSTK to get IDs, numbers, locations, and have better security.

ps if Alamy doesn't know your birthday, and that's top secret, highly secure information, then they won't know if you made one up. Pick some date you like and make a note, in case you need that date again some day. Wasn't that easy?

kuriouskat · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2025, 14:17 »

Quote from: stoker2014 on February 11, 2025, 13:18

kuriouskat, I don't know what the rules are now for registering a new account, but when my document was about to expire, Shutterstock required me to upload a new document. Maybe Shutterstock doesn't require this anymore.
Yes, a person has only one Tax ID number. But it can be faked, because it's a photo, you can change any number. And the Tax ID number is only needed if the fraudster fills out a tax form, but he may not fill it out.
As for the payment account, it probably has to be strictly individual on Shutterstock (not necessary on other stocks). And yes, it's unclear how the fraudster will withdraw money. Shutterstock sends money only to 3 payment systems. Maybe you can have multiple accounts on Skrill, but I'm not sure.
So, if the fraudster can't withdraw money, how does he withdraw it?

It seems that you can also create an account on PayPal without documents. But PayPal does not work in all countries. Just as Skrill and Payoneer do not work in all countries.

I know many people who have signed up without providing ID, although when I signed up many, many years ago, I have to upload my passport. Maybe the requirement has been recently phased out or is location dependent?

As for Payoneer, PayPal or Skrill, I believe it's only possible to have one account on each, and they need to be linked to a bank account for withdrawal. Certainly, where I'm from, you can't open a bank account without verifying your identity.

stoker2014 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2025, 14:21 »

Usually Shutterstock is very good at tracking copies of photos or videos, if it finds a copy in another account, it bans that account very quickly. So I am surprised that thieves upload the same works to different accounts and Shutterstock does not ban them automatically.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #19 on:** February 11, 2025, 14:41 »

Quote from: stoker2014 on February 11, 2025, 14:21

Usually Shutterstock is very good at tracking copies of photos or videos, if it finds a copy in another account, it bans that account very quickly. So I am surprised that thieves upload the same works to different accounts and Shutterstock does not ban them automatically.

No they don't, that's the problem. When we report image theft, they stonewall and deny and make it difficult. Sometimes they only delete the offending image, and leave all the rest.

Quote from: kuriouskat on February 11, 2025, 14:17

As for Payoneer, PayPal or Skrill, I believe it's only possible to have one account on each, and they need to be linked to a bank account for withdrawal. Certainly, where I'm from, you can't open a bank account without verifying your identity.

Not true, I have more than one Paypal account and two of them are linked to the same bank account. Yes, true, you can't open a bank account, without proper ID, but no one checks to see if that data matches your Microstock name and account. The stock agencies just like to know that you have a valid Paypal account, and they trust that.

I use one Paypal just for Microstock, another for eBay, and a third for marketplace sales. Best of all, Paypal keeps sending me notifications that I "have been selected, to apply for PayPal credit card"

DraftKings does a better job of making sure people don't have more than one account. They read IP address, and computer ID, if you use a phone, or tablet, they are probably looking at the IMEI. It costs money for SSTK to care and have good security, they don't give a *. All they would need is minimum security for new accounts, and put the earnings on hold for 90 days. During that time, check every upload from new accounts, against the entire database.

Once the cons saw that they couldn't get money from stolen images or multiple accounts or cheating, they would stop playing the system.

SSTK could stop this, and could have 15 years ago. They don't.

stoker2014 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 11, 2025, 16:19 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 11, 2025, 14:41

Quote from: stoker2014 on February 11, 2025, 14:21
Usually Shutterstock is very good at tracking copies of photos or videos, if it finds a copy in another account, it bans that account very quickly. So I am surprised that thieves upload the same works to different accounts and Shutterstock does not ban them automatically.
No they don't, that's the problem.

I disagree. I was in a situation where I uploaded a photo taken by a friend of mine. He also uploaded this photo to the site. We both quickly received a warning and wrote explanations. I have read many similar stories on the Internet and on this forum as well. And many were not as lucky as us, many were banned by Shutterstock.

kuriouskat · « **Reply #21 on:** February 11, 2025, 18:35 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on February 11, 2025, 14:41

Quote from: kuriouskat on February 11, 2025, 14:17
As for Payoneer, PayPal or Skrill, I believe it's only possible to have one account on each, and they need to be linked to a bank account for withdrawal. Certainly, where I'm from, you can't open a bank account without verifying your identity.

Not true, I have more than one Paypal account and two of them are linked to the same bank account. Yes, true, you can't open a bank account, without proper ID, but no one checks to see if that data matches your Microstock name and account. The stock agencies just like to know that you have a valid Paypal account, and they trust that.

I use one Paypal just for Microstock, another for eBay, and a third for marketplace sales. Best of all, Paypal keeps sending me notifications that I "have been selected, to apply for PayPal credit card"

That's interesting, because the support pages for PayPal certainly say you can have just one business account and one personal account only.

Shutterstock are the same, and if you have a business contributor account, it has to be a separate legal entity, and with a payment account in the business name.

When a Shutterstock account is set up, the name you use is added to the 'Payment to' field on the account settings page. You can't change this yourself, and if it doesn't match your payment name then you don't get paid.

So if your payment account is in the name of Jonathan Smith, and you innocently sign up to Shutterstock as Jon Smith, then you have to provide an ID document to Shutterstock to get them to change this, otherwise the payment fails.

synthetick · « **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2025, 01:25 »

Apparantly in India a government-issued ID is required to open a Paypal account.

kuriouskat · « **Reply #23 on:** February 12, 2025, 03:44 »

Quote from: synthetick on February 12, 2025, 01:25

Apparantly in India a government-issued ID is required to open a Paypal account.

I've just checked their website, and a Photo ID + proof of address, (in the form of a bank statement or utility bill), are required. I'm in Europe.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #24 on:** February 12, 2025, 14:54 »

Quote from: kuriouskat on February 11, 2025, 18:35

That's interesting, because the support pages for PayPal certainly say you can have just one business account and one personal account only.

Shutterstock are the same, and if you have a business contributor account, it has to be a separate legal entity, and with a payment account in the business name.

When a Shutterstock account is set up, the name you use is added to the 'Payment to' field on the account settings page. You can't change this yourself, and if it doesn't match your payment name then you don't get paid.

So if your payment account is in the name of Jonathan Smith, and you innocently sign up to Shutterstock as Jon Smith, then you have to provide an ID document to Shutterstock to get them to change this, otherwise the payment fails.

I've had mine since PayPal started, could be the rules changed. But I do have two accounts going to the same bank account. Paypal uses the email account, not the name. Two eBay accounts, two PayPal accounts. Yes, there is another PayPal for the business.

For SSTK I wouldn't try to have two accounts, too risky. They watch camera data, IP addresses for one.

Quote from: stoker2014 on February 11, 2025, 16:19

I disagree. I was in a situation where I uploaded a photo taken by a friend of mine. He also uploaded this photo to the site. We both quickly received a warning and wrote explanations. I have read many similar stories on the Internet and on this forum as well. And many were not as lucky as us, many were banned by Shutterstock.

Same camera?

Please explain how over the years and right now, the OP have found multiple accounts with the identical images, and SSTK does nothing to stop this. Ask about the SSTK FaceBook page where people are selling accounts and collections and some of them just seem to be making new accounts as fast as they get banned, then upload the same collection of images.

Explain that duplicate checker again?

IF they checked new peoples uploads, and didn't pay for 90 days, something that simple, they would deter people who do nothing but cheat the system, over and over. They don't and you can read back here for years, the stolen images, copies and multiple accounts.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #25 on:** February 12, 2025, 15:00 »

Quote from: kuriouskat on February 12, 2025, 03:44

Quote from: synthetick on February 12, 2025, 01:25
Apparantly in India a government-issued ID is required to open a Paypal account.

I've just checked their website, and a Photo ID + proof of address, (in the form of a bank statement or utility bill), are required. I'm in Europe.

That's a good start. So someone explain, how do they have dozens of accounts as the evidence shows? And those accounts are filled with copied, altered and stolen images. As fast as they are closed, another one shows up, and many have the same sets of images.

We're the honest people. I have one account, one ID, one email that I use for photography. How come SSTK doesn't stop these people, when it looks like Adobe, IS, DT and most of the rest, block them?

stoker2014 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 12, 2025, 15:44 »

Uncle Pete, maybe Shutterstock does something, but not as fast as you want. Or maybe Shutterstock only attacks its long-standing authors. Or maybe the thieves slightly change the file name or its size.
I know that some authors were banned just because they shot in the same location with another author. At the same time, at a tourist site you may not even know who these people are around you and for whom they are filming.

stocker2011 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 12, 2025, 17:25 »

So they work in groups then, all swapping images and accounts between them, and if one gets banned they move onto the next and share the profits from stolen images/video between them?

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #28 on:** February 13, 2025, 12:59 »

Quote from: stocker2011 on February 12, 2025, 17:25

So they work in groups then, all swapping images and accounts between them, and if one gets banned they move onto the next and share the profits from stolen images/video between them?

Here's the person you can trust, who knows what's going on. gnirtS

Quote from: gnirtS on February 11, 2025, 07:51

It does not have to be a passport and i believe now, not even photo.

Nothing stopping someone from using their driving licence, national ID it ID from their wife/sister/47 cousins neighbour and so on. Which most of Pakistan seem to be doing.

Some other people are just doing what if and making things up, and they don't seem to understand that this goes on all the time, SSTK doesn't try to help us, or stop the problems. SSTK doesn't check for duplicates for new people, doesn't check most of the time for new uploads from the rest of us.

2019! and it has never ended. That plus SSTK threatened people who were reporting the fakes and thieves. Like happened to Brasilnut

Quote from: Brasilnut on January 27, 2019, 08:54

Summary of last week (week ending Jan 27):

Total moles identified: 250

Moles wacked (by SS) from Jan 20 - 26: 120

Moles pending: 130+ (new accounts identified today)

https://brutallyhonestmicrostock.com/2019/01/27/update-why-shutterstocks-copyright-infringement-problems-should-concern-you/

Complete list:

https://forums.submit.shutterstock.com/topic/96297-thieves-thread-update-week-ending-jan-27-251-so-far-flagged/

Small victory but huge huge challenges ahead...

People who wrote and complained got told, we could only report our own images being misused and stolen. When an account gets shut down, a new one pops up, with the same images. You would think that SSTK could notice that?

Anyone who tries to say that SSTK is doing a good job or any job, or trying to end this, is in denial of the years this has been going on, and blind to the facts and evidence.

stocker2011 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 13, 2025, 19:01 »

Thanks for the info. So, the fraud really began to kick off from 2019 when they opened the flood gates and allowed uploads from all of the world, and not just western countries.

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Author Topic: Shutterstock not taking any action on reported thieves accounts (Read 2674 times)

Graphic_Designer

cobalt

Graphic_Designer

Graphic_Designer

cobalt

stocker2011

Graphic_Designer

stoker2014

cobalt

kuriouskat

stoker2014

Graphic_Designer

stoker2014

gnirtS

kuriouskat

stoker2014

Uncle Pete

kuriouskat

stoker2014

Uncle Pete

stoker2014

kuriouskat

synthetick

kuriouskat

Uncle Pete

Uncle Pete

stoker2014

stocker2011

Uncle Pete

stocker2011

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