When to Walk Away: Recognizing Scam Brand Deals

As the Indian creator economy grows, so does the number of bad actors. "Scam" deals aren't always about someone stealing your money; often, they are about someone stealing your Time, Data, or Audience Trust.

Here are the signs that you should walk away from a deal immediately.

1. The "Free Product for Life" Trap

If a brand offers you a ₹2,000 product and asks for a dedicated 10-minute video, they aren't "collaborating"; they are exploiting. The Rule: Barter deals are only for when you are under 5,000 subscribers. Beyond that, "Exposure" doesn't pay the bills.

2. Suspicious Email Domains

If an email comes from 'google-marketing@gmail.com' or 'apple-deals@outlook.com', it is a scam. Major brands always use their own domains (e.g., 'name@brand.com').

3. The "Download this Clip" Phishing

If a brand asks you to download a 'Campaign Brief' or a 'Video Sample' that is a '.exe' or an encrypted '.zip' file, DO NOT OPEN IT. This is a common way creators lose their entire YouTube channels to hackers.

4. No Professional Footprint

Search for the brand on LinkedIn and Google. If they have no office, no employees, and no previous campaign history, treat them with extreme caution.

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Summary

No amount of money is worth losing your channel or the trust of your audience. If your "gut" says something is off, it usually is. Always verify the identity of the person you are talking to and never share your account passwords or "Session Cookies."

Stay safe in the creator economy. Use our Verified Brand Database to see if a brand has a history of fair dealings.