pancakes

MicrostockGroup Sponsors


Author Topic: how Shutterstock find I've second account ?  (Read 15669 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

« on: October 26, 2018, 16:21 »
0
Hello guys !

I'm new here. I created account in SS about 6-7 months ago. Then about a few months ago I created account with the passport of my aunt. She is good at drawing illustrations. Then I started to upload to illustrations to her account. Sometimes I entered to my own SS account to see earnings then log outed and entered my aunt's account and her earnings. Actions were happening from the same IP address. But about a week ago, both my own account and my aunt's account suspended. Then they asked in both emails that "have you previously created a SS Contributor account ? ". I said no. Then my aunt's account and mine were terminated. They wrote to both emails that account terminated for "suspicious activity". Now my question is What . how they found I'm using both accounts ?


« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2018, 17:35 »
+5
Well IP obviously. They don't need to know if it's you or your aunt in front of the computer, they don't even have to be sure what is happening, they just see something suspicious (two accs one IP) and that's enough for them. You did suspicious activity, they banned your for suspicious activity.

nobody

« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2018, 17:43 »
+7
Here we go again  :(


« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2018, 18:42 »
+9
I'm guessing there's more to this story we haven't yet heard, but it can't just be the IP address that is the trigger.

Imagine a co-working space with shared resources and computers - like this one - which are all over the US (and I assume elsewhere too). Shared office and resources are part of the deal. I think all users in a space would show up with the same external IP address.

It would be perfectly legal to hire a person to do the uploads for multiple contributors - an administrative assistant. That wouldn't be typical for the smaller/part time/home based contributor, but I think SS can accommodate that.

As with another recent account closure reported here, no one here can help you sort this out. You're new here (this is your first post) so possibly you don't realize this is just a group of contributors who exchange information.

Assuming you really had two truly separate contributor accounts, content, payout accounts and no content sharing, write to SS and explain the situation - in detail - and ask them to reverse their decision. Don't fudge the truth with them. If it's legitimate, lay out the arrangement - perhaps the fact that it appears to SS you lied to them was the issue.

And for anyone else considering non-typical arrangements, how hard would it be to contact SS up front to explain what you're doing and get their explicit OK of the arrangement to avoid all this?


nobody

« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2018, 19:29 »
+3
I am sure it more than just an IP Address.  I kind of like reading these stories! First they claim the victim role and then they either fess up or someone on this site finds the actual truth.  Anyway just fun to watch it unfold... 8)


« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2018, 19:30 »
+3
Well IP obviously. They don't need to know if it's you or your aunt in front of the computer, they don't even have to be sure what is happening, they just see something suspicious (two accs one IP) and that's enough for them. You did suspicious activity, they banned your for suspicious activity.

Same IP address, same postal address, or using the same computer IS NOT AND NEVER THE REASON. This is truly just a myth. In no where at Shutterstock's agreement stated you cannot use the same computer, same IP address, or same postal address to become a contributor. Me and my wife have been using the same computer/ip address/postal address for many many years to do our uploads for 6-10 different sites and there hasn't been a problem. The one thing we never share is our payment detail.

There must be OTHER REASON why their account got closed. Two contributors or more using the same IP address, same computer, and same postal address does not justify why Shutterstock need to close their account. It doesn't cheat, steal, or getting unfair advantage.

My biggest suspect is that these contributors who got their account banned together are most probably using the same artworks elements/photos in their portfolios.

« Last Edit: October 26, 2018, 19:35 by leremy »

« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2018, 19:43 »
0
Okay, I wish it's not the IP address because I'm sure that I haven't broke any other SS terms. But they wrote me "suspicious activity" reason. If it was same artwork, element issue with another portfolio, I guess they should attach similar images or wrote actual reason with details. I think it's IP or maybe browser cookie reason. But I really want to know to clearify this issue. Maybe I can twit to CEO about this ? Because if SS terminated your account, they hardly respond to your mails.

« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2018, 19:49 »
+1
Were both accounts paying to the same Paypal or bank account?  That might do it.

« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2018, 21:12 »
+4
Did you had your aunt's artwork in your account? If both of your accounts have similar content by the same artist, that's probably the reason.

« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2018, 22:40 »
0
Did you had your aunt's artwork in your account? If both of your accounts have similar content by the same artist, that's probably the reason.

Yes this could be the reason, if you use same artwork / elements and upload in both, you are then banned...

« Reply #10 on: October 26, 2018, 22:52 »
+1
Busted!

« Reply #11 on: October 27, 2018, 01:20 »
0
Absolutely not ! not same payment, not same artwork.

derek

    This user is banned.
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2018, 01:54 »
+2
Of course its more! some of the smaller factories with say around 5 photographers in the same studio are uploading all using the same IP!...but why are you asking? planning something? :)

SpaceStockFootage

  • Space, Sci-Fi and Astronomy Related Stock Footage

« Reply #13 on: October 27, 2018, 02:59 »
+8
What does it matter? There's absolutely no benefit to you at this stage knowing how they found out you had two accounts... other than if you're looking for tips on creating two more accounts without them getting found out. When asked if you've ever created another account you should have said 'yes' and explained what you explained to us... but it's a bit late for that now.

« Reply #14 on: October 27, 2018, 04:05 »
+4
When asked if you've ever created another account you should have said 'yes' and explained what you explained to us... but it's a bit late for that now.

Exactly this. You obviously should have answered "yes" instead of "no" there...

By answering "no" you're telling them the accounts weren't legit and they shut them down.

« Reply #15 on: October 27, 2018, 06:49 »
0
I guess its not about the second account. Its about tax fraud.
Has your aunt known about her account and properly filled out the tax form?
I guess not.

JetCityImage

« Reply #16 on: October 27, 2018, 07:07 »
+1
It could be just an IP thing. My dad and I are both members of a Corvette forum and he asked me to reset his password. Within 24 hours, both of our accounts were suspended for "multiple accounts from the same IP address." I explained what happened, and they unlocked our accounts. I suspect that if the OP truly had one account for him and one for his aunt, an explanation would have cleared up the issue.


« Reply #17 on: October 27, 2018, 07:42 »
+8
Why did you answer no to SS question? You could have explained you DID create a second account for your aunt. But my question is: why did you have to create the account for her anyway? Is she not capable of doing it herself? Something's fishy about this.

The phrasing of your question is suspicious too; how did Shutterstock 'find out'? That implies you were trying to hide it.

« Reply #18 on: October 27, 2018, 08:25 »
0
Im affraid they will close my account too, im using Microstockr app, where i connect from public wifi, starbucks etc, to check my earnings  ???

« Reply #19 on: October 27, 2018, 08:42 »
+2
Im affraid they will close my account too, im using Microstockr app, where i connect from public wifi, starbucks etc, to check my earnings  ???
Why would they?...you haven't created a second account then lied about it.

« Reply #20 on: October 27, 2018, 08:47 »
0
Maybe it is only Shutterstock Cookies : if you and your aunt used the same computer account, cookies from both users can be seen by Shutterstock.

« Reply #21 on: October 27, 2018, 08:49 »
0
Guys, Tax form for both accounts were totally filled properly. And I taught my aunt to draw illustrations in Illustrator. She can only do drawing part. I did all the uploading part if her account and I analyzed its earnings too. I haven't tell to SS I have second account, because actually I don't have. Yes we're using same IP, same browser but images in each portfolio are totally different.
If these accounts were terminated for IP, then SS should write this in their terms that you should use  your own computer and own wifi.

« Reply #22 on: October 27, 2018, 08:51 »
0
Maybe it is only Shutterstock Cookies : if you and your aunt used the same computer account, cookies from both users can be seen by Shutterstock.

Yeah, I believe this is most realistic reason that they terminated accounts. But what if we have only one computer.

« Reply #23 on: October 27, 2018, 08:55 »
+1
If you have only one computer you should create two users on it. That is what I do with my wife : a single computer but 2 separate accounts on it. This way, one cannot see private of the other ;-)

Chichikov

« Reply #24 on: October 27, 2018, 09:03 »
+4
Maybe it is only Shutterstock Cookies : if you and your aunt used the same computer account, cookies from both users can be seen by Shutterstock.

Yeah, I believe this is most realistic reason that they terminated accounts. But what if we have only one computer.

Why don't you ask directly to Shutterstock? Who better than them can answer you?

[email protected]


 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
7 Replies
6988 Views
Last post May 26, 2009, 16:46
by Old Hippy
34 Replies
15863 Views
Last post May 22, 2011, 17:14
by Demy
2 Replies
5440 Views
Last post May 11, 2011, 12:32
by GrantP
32 Replies
7642 Views
Last post June 24, 2023, 02:39
by stoker2014
4 Replies
1459 Views
Last post July 10, 2023, 13:32
by ribtoks

Sponsors

Mega Bundle of 5,900+ Professional Lightroom Presets

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors