What do you do if you suspect a potential client is a minor?

[curiodraco.livejournal.com]

I apologize if this has been covered before, but I couldn't find anything searching the tags.

First off, as far as ways to rule out if someone is actually a minor or not..
I'm pretty sure you can't get a paypal unless you can verify to them that you're 18+? Correct me if I'm mistaken. 
In the US, can a minor get their own bank account or initiate a money order? 
I won't deal in cash, not only because of just the risk of cash in the mail, but that would be the easiest way for a minor to buy adult art.

Even so, with ways to rule out suspicion, I'm sure a clever kid can find ways around it..

So, what do you do if you deal in adult art, and you suspect a potential client may be a minor?
And how can I protect myself should I unwittingly deal adult art to a minor?

Thanks for any feedback :3

EDIT
Well that was easy. I should have thought to just ask the person to confirm they're 18+ but it didn't really occur to me because I'd hate to cause any upset for the inquiry. But I'm sure I can find a tactful approach to it without coming off suspicious, should I ever have need to. 

I guess it seems that there really isn't a good way to rule out if someone is actually a minor or not, and by asking I'll at least have a record of their confirmation, and then it's not on my back if something happens. I hope :s 

Comments

[collie-fluff.livejournal.com]

You can get a PayPal as long as you've got a bank account. I had a PayPal when I was 15 since I had a checking account.

Ask if the person is a minor. Investigate and see what you can find out on your own. If they claim that they are of age, then go along with it and save your emails and such just in case it comes back that they are a minor. They lied to you and therefore it's not your problem. There's no way you can check an ID over the internet because I'll be damned if I have someone ask me to scan my ID (which has a lot of personal information on it obviously) and send it to someone on the internet.

that's how I'd go about it.

[curiodraco.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'd never ask for an ID scan. That's going way over reasonable methods, and it's too easy to borrow anyone's ID or doctor it anyhow.

I didn't think of just outright asking, as I didn't want to cause any upset for a verification inquiry.. but it makes sense, and I think I will go with that. If they lie it's not on me. ...it seems so obvious now, I feel silly for not thinking of it in the first place xD

Thank you!

[collie-fluff.livejournal.com]

If it comes up in the future, the conversation will go in this direction:

"Did you know this person was a minor?"

"I asked, they said they were not a minor, and they paid with a PayPal account and you can't have one of those unless you're 18 or older or lied to PayPal as well."

[curiodraco.livejournal.com]

In this particular instance that got me thinking about it, it was actually the lack of a paypal account and a few other red flags that made me start wondering. I could accept payment through the mail, but what methods I can rely on for being available to 18+ only seem to be lacking.. so I guess the only thing to do is just ask. I'm not well-versed in laws applicable to this (I should look it up more thoroughly when I can find time to) so I can only hope if it comes up, I'd be off the hook with records of what they'd say about their age :s

[0acorn0.livejournal.com]

I had a paypal when I was 16. Paypal doesn't ask for ID or anything, and it is possible for a minor to get their own bank account with the parent's permission. I suppose the only real way would be for you to ask them to take a photo or scan of their ID, but even then it isn't fool proof.

[wolf5321.livejournal.com]

Hi Curio, I am pretty sure anyone who has a credit card/debit card or even a prepaid debit card (these types are easily accessible to minors) can sign up for a paypal account. I know I signed up for mine while I was still a minor.

Laws on minors opening their own bank account vary from state to state. Some allow minors to open their own account, others allow joint accounts (with a parent or guardian). In a few states it is illegal.

And yes minors can also initiate a money order no problem.

All in all, it's fairly easy for a minor in the US to figure out a way to pay for a commission, so ruling out that they may be under age that way could be difficult.

I don't offer adult art myself, so I don't have much advice to give on dealing with underage customers, or how to protect yourself, sorry. But I hope the other info helps!

[astraldescent.livejournal.com]

Asking is always good. Honestly though, FA is HORRIBLE about doing anything about minors. I once encountered someone who drew and sold adult art who admitted to being 16-17 (he increased it to 17 when caught) and reported them via a trouble ticket and was given a response that seemed to be totally unrelated to what I had said...

So definitely be wary, they're out there and I wouldn't doubt some of them attempt to buy porn.

[poizenkat.livejournal.com]

you should report them again. I've reported a few people i know irl for doing that (my partner told me that she saw commissioned or requested adult art in their gallery and asked me to report them or ask them to stop) and they were age-locked ASAP.

[whydah.livejournal.com]

Honestly, don't even bother trying to neatly fit it into a conversation, just say "Before I can accept your commission it is my policy to have it confirmed in writing that you are of the legal age in [whichever country you are from]. Just a precautionary measure!" and leave it at that.

It's your business, you make the rules!

[sovy.livejournal.com]

Ask if they are 18 years old or older. Every artist should explicitly ask if a person is 18 or older before doing an adult commission for them.

You don't have to launch an international investigation with Interpol, just do some due diligence to cover yourself.

You can get a Paypal account. I don't even think you need a credit card or bank account but if you want to withdraw money out of Paypal you will need to link it to a bank account. I have Paypal and I spend money and accept money all with just a credit card.

[thejeweledhorn.livejournal.com]

Just an extra note here; I think state laws are usually what dictate whether or not a person can have a bank account and enter into a legal business agreement. I know in AL it is 19 because there's where I lived when I entered into my first business agreement, but it will vary from US state to US state. That may complicate things in assuming if they have a PayPal they're 18+. But yeah, just ask! I have it as part of my TOS that they are agreeing they are 18+ for adult work.

[poizenkat.livejournal.com]

Yeah, just ask. I have a paypal account legally and i'm 16.... but i would never get matured works until im older IF im even interested. You can always contact an admin about it or something and ask if they may know. If they have email accounts or facebook listed you can look up their profiles and check their ages that way.

[kuwaizair.livejournal.com]

if it is adult art, I think it is a no-no. because you can't give children pornographic material.