18 Ways To Identify A Brand Collaboration Scam And What To Do Instead

If you’re on Instagram or a blogger who’s done a good job promoting your blog, you will get the inevitable message or email from a brand schmoozing you to partner with them on a collaboration. I’ve had so many messages over the years that now I can identify a brand collaboration scam very easily.

It can be flattering to receive interest from a brand, but you have to take a step back and ask, “Is this legit?”

Often, many new bloggers who have just started a blog can be sucked into a fake brand collaboration, leading to issues down the line. As a blog coach, I’ve met clients who, unfortunately, have come across a few scammers.

I’ve worked for many years with brands that reached out to influencers and bloggers.

I know how they approach influencers and bloggers for partnerships and sponsored posts. And it’s not with the types of requests you get from scammers.

So before you get your hopes up, put on the common sense hat and remember a few key things!

Before you go any further, I do recommend you read my post on how to proactively go after getting brand collaborations and sponsorships. Although it’s geared primarily toward bloggers, many of the lessons apply to Instagram and TikTok influencers.

DISCLOSURE: This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click on a product or service, and decide to purchase it, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. All recommended products and services are based on my positive experience with them. For more information, please read my Disclaimer.

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How To Spot A Brand Collaboration Scam

Let’s look at how to figure out whether an email or message you receive on social media is a scam or not.

There are some emails and messages that you should just not respond to, at all!

There are several key indicators when you see an email or message on Instagram that identify a brand collaboration scam.

Don’t even bother responding to them. Just press delete!

Let’s look at the key brand collaboration scams that are currently around:

Buy Now, Get Reimbursed Later

They’ll promise to “reimburse you right after you post,” but that payment never comes. Brands that truly want to collaborate will never ask you to front money for their product. It’s one of the oldest influencer scams around.

“Influencer Discount” Trap

This usually looks like a “special influencer discount” where you buy the item to show your “commitment.” Spoiler: you’re the customer, not the collaborator. If they’re not sending it free for review, it’s a sales tactic.

Pay Your Own Shipping

A legit brand covers all costs tied to the collaboration. If they want you to pay for shipping or customs, it’s likely a drop-shipping company or a fake brand fishing for easy money.

“We’ll Credit You!” Isn’t a Real Deal

When a brand wants you to create content using their product — but won’t pay or send the item — you’re basically doing free marketing for them. Promises of “exposure” or “we’ll credit you on our Instagram!” rarely lead to real growth. Exposure doesn’t pay the bills or build your brand.

Fake Ambassadors

If a brand says you’re a perfect fit for their “ambassador program” but their products don’t align with your niche, it’s likely a copy-paste pitch. These programs often ask you to buy the product first or pay a fee to join. Authentic ambassador partnerships pay you or provide free product. They don’t expect you to pay first.

“DM Us for Collab!” Spam

When brands (or bots) comment “DM us for a collab!” on your posts, they’re using a shotgun approach — sending the same message to hundreds of creators hoping someone takes the bait. Genuine brands and agencies reach out via a professional email account with campaign details, not through public comment spam.

Overly Friendly Language

Pet names are not business language. If someone calls you “babe” in a supposed professional partnership email, hit delete. It’s a clear sign the sender isn’t serious.

Grammar and Spelling Mistakes

This one’s a classic brand collaboration scam indicator. Poor grammar, typos, and awkward phrasing usually indicate a mass message from a fake company or a non-native scammer trying to sound official. Professional brands always proofread.

Hidden Extra Work Requests

Scammers often slip in “just one more thing” — an extra post, tighter deadline, or additional deliverables — without offering more compensation. Real collaborations have clearly outlined terms and fair pay. Anything beyond that is exploitation, not opportunity.

Affiliate “Deals” That Cost You

Many scammers mask themselves as “exclusive affiliate opportunities” but only offer tiny commissions and pressure you to buy the product first. Don’t waste time with affiliate programs that benefit the brand far more than you. There are plenty of trusted affiliate networks you can join without being tricked into paying.

Paid “Features” and Fake Awards

They’ll flatter you, claiming you’re “one of the top influencers in your category” — and then drop a “small listing fee.” It’s basically paying to play for fake recognition.

Sketchy Companies and Bad Reviews

Fake brand collaborations are sometimes not easy to spot unless you do this one thing: research. Before replying or even clicking any links, always do a quick search. If the “brand” has no real website, or it’s filled with bad reviews and reseller complaints, it’s likely a scam operation or is phishing for information.

“We’ll Feature You!” Freebies

When a brand offers to “repost” or “feature” you on their large social media account in exchange for free content, remember: exposure doesn’t equal compensation. Most never actually repost your work — they just collect free content for marketing.

Fake “Influencer Agencies”

You’ll get an email from an “agency” claiming you’ve been shortlisted for a campaign, but they ask for banking info, personal documents, or for you to “verify your profile” via a shady link. Real agencies never cold-email creators asking for that kind of data.

Pay-to-Join Ambassador Schemes

Some “ambassador” programs require you to pay to join or buy items to qualify for a commission. Legit brands pay you or provide the product free of charge — not the other way around.

Too-good-to-be-true Commissions or Bonuses

Be careful of affiliate programs that promise huge commissions or free bonuses after you make a certain number of sales. They usually disappear or change terms just before payout. Always vet before promoting.

Misuse of Your Content

Sometimes, a brand will ask for one post, then you find your photo or video used in their ads, on their website, or even printed materials without permission. And they don’t compensate you for going beyond the agreed use. Always clarify content usage rights and duration before posting.

“Exclusive Rights” That Limit You

They promise you’ll be their “exclusive blogger in your niche” but sneak in a clause that prevents you from working with others. You end up locked out of better paid opportunities. Be careful of any exclusivity that doesn’t come with a comprehensive compensation plan.

NOTE: When it comes to any collaboration that speaks about affiliate sales, I immediately ignore them.

| RELATED: Start Creating A Passive Income With Affiliate Marketing – The Ultimate Guide

Backlink Building Schemes

Sometimes you’ll get an email from a freelance “blogger” or writer or a digital marketing agency asking you to place a “guest post” or article with a “do-follow” link.

They’re willing to pay you to place this on your blog.

Avoid them! Just delete or respond “no thanks.” It’s not worth the money.

Why do I recommend this?

• In many cases, the content they want you to link to is not related to your content.
• Usually, the article isn’t in your voice – your readers will notice this
• Your loyal readers want to hear from you, as they deem you credible
• Too many of these types of “paid article placements” will come across as advertisements
• Usually, it’s obvious that it’s to promote a specific brand
• Sometimes articles are recycled, meaning you can get flagged by Google for spam content
• There is the caveat that you’ll have a “do follow” link, which Google can potentially penalize you for
• They’ll want you to keep that article on your site in perpetuity.

Instead, it’s better to pitch your own sponsored post opportunity with brands you love and know. Or work with an affiliate contact and see if there’s an opportunity to get in touch with the brand representative to figure out a paid sponsored post.

You write the article, and your readers appreciate YOUR opinion and tips. It works so much better in building your own personal niche expertise.

| Related Posts: Top Affiliate Marketing Programs For Beginner Bloggers

When You’re Asked To Do Something Pervy

This is a pervy brand collaboration scam that I came across. On the surface, it didn’t appear so. But when you looked at the ask, it was creepy.

I was perusing an Instagram Influencer Facebook group when I noticed one question from a member.

A brand had reached out, asking that the influencer go to a store selling their fashion brand. The influencer had to try on their clothes and take photos in the changing room, to be posted on their own Instagram.

There would be no product for the influencer. No payment. Instead, they would help promote her Instagram profile on their account.

NEVER, ever let yourself be used like this on social media. If somebody wants you to do something that is even remotely pervy or makes you uncomfortable, delete, delete, delete!

It can ruin your online reputation while violating you as a person.

There is an audience for this kind of stuff, and you don’t want them following you.

So, delete, block and ignore completely.

No Sponsorship Contract, No Partnership

If you do get approached by a brand, and they’re asking you to partner with them in a legitimate paid collaboration or sponsorship, always ask them to sign your contract.

Any brand that’s not willing to sign the sponsorship contract that you send to them should be turned down. They aren’t coming “to the table” with the right intentions.

But where can I get a sponsorship contract? I don’t know all the legal jargon.

Luckily, there’s one that you can use that’s been developed by a blogger who’s also a lawyer.

Amira at A Self Guru has an easy-to-customize Sponsored Posts Contract, that helps you identify how you’ll work with a brand while protecting you legally and financially.

If you’re a blogger, you probably already know about her amazing Legal Bundle that every site needs to be legally and financially protected.

Any brand that refuses to sign the contract is not coming to the table with a legitimate collaboration in mind.

Purchase the Sponsored Posts Contract and have it on hand for when you do have a legitimate brand collaboration opportunity. I’ll tell you how to get them in just a moment.

It’s a worthwhile investment that will ensure you’re paid for whatever work you do for brands.

How Do You Get Legitimate Brand Collaborations?

I’ve written extensively on how to promote yourself to brands and PR reps from my position as a blogger. Some of my tips can certainly help Instagram influencers as well.

If you’re serious about building yourself as an online influencer or a brand, then you need to think like a business person.

You need to build networks and relationships. The best way to do this is to email the right people working with brands.

Contact brand managers or marketing managers at your favourite brands. The alternative is their PR representative or PR agency.

To learn more about how to get on “influencer lists” check out my post on the best ways to reach out to brands and PR reps. There are legit brand collab opportunities waiting for you – you just need to find them.

| Read More: How To Create Your Media Kit For Brand Collaboration Pitches

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Influencer Marketing Agencies

Another way to do a collab with brands is through influencer marketing agencies. There are many companies out there that work with Instagram influencers to connect them with brands.

Some are fantastic, and some are a waste of time.

As I’ve never been big on making my Instagram account a big money-maker for me (it’s a hell of a lot more work than a blog to make it big!), I really haven’t focused on these types of agencies.

They are also seeking specific types of people and Instagram accounts with huge engagement.

So you can look into them, but it might be worthwhile going YOUR OWN route by proactively reaching out to a brand.

Don’t Sell Yourself Short: Don’t Fall For Brand Collaboration Scams

In a nutshell, do not fall for a brand collaboration scam, and don’t cheapen yourself.

Always think that your time, effort and your profile or blog are worthy of a paid collaboration, where you get compensated properly.

Your time can be better spent proactively pitching opportunities with brands than responding to questionable brand collaboration inquiries.

PRO TIP: Review brands you love. Build a blog that people love to visit with great content like these trending lifestyle blog post ideas.

Learn To Understand Brands And Influencer Marketing

The best way to learn how to work with brands is to read about their influencer marketing strategies, needs and approaches to working with influencers.

Read about influencer marketing from quality resources.

Surprisingly, the newsletters and blogs for some of the best Instagram tools have great tips on influencer marketing.

Check out Later, which is one of my favourite newsletters on all things influencers.

The more you know about how to spot brand collaboration scams and how to do things the right way, the more you can adapt your approach to achieving success.

Want To Learn How To Pitch Brands?

As a blog coach, I do more than instruct on starting a blog. If you’re interested in learning how to successfully pitch brands for brand collaborations, I do offer sessions on this topic.

Let’s connect and see how I can help you learn how to monetize via sponsored posts and influencer activities.

QUESTION: What is the craziest brand collaboration scam email you’ve ever received? Share your stories!

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