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Author Topic: Image Thieves targetting IS again?!!  (Read 29095 times)

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lisafx

« on: January 08, 2011, 12:24 »
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Unusual buying activity on my Istock account today.  I've sold 13 Larges, all for 2.40, and 8 XLs, all at $3.60. 

This is absolutely unheard of for me on a Saturday.  And the fact that they are all being purchased at the largest size, and for the same dollar amount makes it pretty clear it is the theft ring active again.   Looks like they are done with the Vetta and Agency files, and now are coming after non-exclusive ports. 

Anyone else noticing similar? 


« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2011, 12:31 »
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Thanks for the heads-up on this Lisa.

I've sold 5 images at IS today, all best-sellers. Nothing particularly unusual in that ... until I checked and discovered that they were all purchased in 'Large' and all at a commission of $2.40.

Is that the same rate as yours?

lisafx

« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2011, 12:33 »
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Yes, all at $2.40 large and $3.60 XL.   >:(

« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2011, 12:38 »
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I'm noticing an unusual amount of XLs licensed overnight, mostly old files.  All at $1.20 a credit price.

Here's my greasemonkey script for seeing your last royalties on each files in my_uploads:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=258262&page=1

« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2011, 12:45 »
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Yes, all at $2.40 large and $3.60 XL.   >:(

That looks fairly conclusive then (mine were all purchased at the largest size available too).

lisafx

« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2011, 13:13 »
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I'm noticing an unusual amount of XLs licensed overnight, mostly old files.  All at $1.20 a credit price.

Here's my greasemonkey script for seeing your last royalties on each files in my_uploads:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=258262&page=1


Thanks for posting the link to your script.  It is very useful.  I will be sure to bookmark it so I can find it again :)

« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2011, 13:17 »
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Maybe iStock has decided to give independents a boost towards next year's RC targets...

« Reply #7 on: January 08, 2011, 13:59 »
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Wasn't the previous problem only with exclusive, Vetta, etc? It made me ownder if it was not some type of vengeance from an angry member or former member.

« Reply #8 on: January 08, 2011, 14:20 »
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I have one of the sales today that was at the maximum size (L - it's an old file) at a $1.20 credit price. The sale was made at 1:20 this morning. The other sales for today are all smaller (good news and bad, I guess :))

I can't report one sale as a potential fraud, but if some of you have a bunch of them are you going to report it to IS?

« Reply #9 on: January 08, 2011, 14:53 »
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had a XS minutes ago for 0.29$ (hope it isnt fraudulent )

« Reply #10 on: January 08, 2011, 17:16 »
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I've had five sales today, which isn't typical for a Saturday, but they are xs, smalls, mediums and larges, so no particular pattern. (I use Sean's script...thanks again Sean) On Thursday I had an EL, but not particularly out of character. I just figure buyers might be using up credits, hence the additional activity. Or maybe buyers are just buying non-exclusive files because they are cheaper. Who knows.

But I don't think I can report unusual activity, necessarily.

lisafx

« Reply #11 on: January 08, 2011, 17:29 »
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I can't report one sale as a potential fraud, but if some of you have a bunch of them are you going to report it to IS?

My sales today are quite unusual, so I am certain it was fraud.  And yes, I sent a note to support around the same time I started this thread this morning.  Haven't heard back yet, but MichaelJay, the Istock admin said that Support is aware of the issue.  
« Last Edit: January 08, 2011, 17:54 by lisafx »

jbarber873

« Reply #12 on: January 08, 2011, 17:36 »
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Sadly, no one wants to steal my files ;D
I'm off the radar of the thieves. Is that good or bad, I don't know.

rubyroo

« Reply #13 on: January 08, 2011, 20:07 »
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Same here jBarber.

On the one hand it's nice to not be a victim.... on the other... I have to wonder why no-one wants to steal my stuff!  ;D

« Reply #14 on: January 08, 2011, 20:16 »
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Based on several other contributors' comments in the IS thread, and my single suspect sale, home remodeling seems to have been the subject favored by this thief. I was happy, but my pride slightly wounded that the Boxing Day Heist didn't include any of my images :)

The idea that the image is probably going to end up on some server being downloaded for free is what really bugs me. Don't know how to get that fixed.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #15 on: January 08, 2011, 20:22 »
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I noticed via DeepMeta that my 'files viewed' both on Thursday, then overnight Thursday/Friday were about three times the usual for 24 hours (i.e. I had about 6x the 'normal' views), but I had very few sales during these times. Maybe they were trawling, but found nothing of interest.
Which is, of course, fine by me, as I don't want my images being sold elsewhere with me getting nada.
« Last Edit: January 09, 2011, 09:55 by ShadySue »

« Reply #16 on: January 09, 2011, 08:25 »
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I had five sales on a Saturday, which is totally unusual, but none related to home remodeling. I am hoping they were legit sales, because I just put in for payout.

« Reply #17 on: January 09, 2011, 09:41 »
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I had 20 sales overnight fitting the profile.  All largest size, in three specific series, all around $1.20 a credit.

123XXX

« Reply #18 on: January 09, 2011, 10:56 »
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Seeing this happening again is really sad. I feel for everyone who is having their images ripped off and are wondering and stressing where they might wrongfully show up and/or be used.

I guess the most dissapointing thing is knowing that iStock hasn't gotten any closer since Christmas weekend to stopping this and the question is if this is going to continue on the weekends for months to come.

I hope they really stand up to this issue and take a stand with better measures to prevent it along with better reassurances to contributors about it.

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #19 on: January 09, 2011, 10:58 »
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Have they still not realised that thieves operate 24/7, so they have to do so as well?

« Reply #20 on: January 09, 2011, 11:14 »
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Have they still not realised that thieves operate 24/7, so they have to do so as well?

The situation appears to be in marked contrast to the way BigStock dealt with it (and that was over the Xmas period too). BigStock acted quickly, stopped the action of the thieves, kept us informed of events and adjusted our accounts, all in about 24 hours flat with no further issues reported. I think it probable that the same thieves would have been trying it on at other major agencies too (why wouldn't they?) but presumably were unsuccessful.

« Reply #21 on: January 09, 2011, 11:21 »
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I thought Calgary was aware of it yesterday and was looking into it? Yet it's still happening? If other (lesser) agencies can deal with it, why can't the multi-million dollar leader of the industry deal with it as well? Maybe iStock needs to hire BigStock for consulting. Pathetic.

SNP

  • Canadian Photographer
« Reply #22 on: January 09, 2011, 12:05 »
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this one hasn't hit me, but I'm sure it's frustrating for those of you it is hitting. I'm really concerned about their IT/web programming strategies, or lack thereof. I don't fault the current techs so much as management for not having ample staff and provisions in place for this type of stuff. they're a huge, international web-based business. screwing with the website, major bugs lasting weeks on end, clients have restrictions on buying due to security breaches.....it's ridiculous.

they need to get their IT sh*t together.

RacePhoto

« Reply #23 on: January 09, 2011, 19:45 »
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Sadly, no one wants to steal my files ;D
I'm off the radar of the thieves. Is that good or bad, I don't know.

I'm with you, but that just tells me the thieves have good taste? :D

had a XS minutes ago for 0.29$ (hope it isnt fraudulent )

Contrary to what some may say, your humor is appreciated!  :D

« Reply #24 on: January 09, 2011, 21:55 »
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don't worry.  precedent has already been set and you get to keep the money and all the RCs.   :)


 

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