Tattoo shops across the country are being targeted by a new scam that tricks customers into paying deposits for appointments that don’t exist — and one Oklahoma studio is among the latest victims.
Ellie Taylor, owner and sole tattoo artist at Squid Ink Tattoo Studio in Shawnee, says the fraudulent scheme has been damaging both her business’s reputation and customers’ wallets. The problem came to light several weeks ago when shop manager Garrett Lyon began receiving unusual inquiries.
“It started when someone filled out our online contact form asking about a tattoo artist we’d never heard of,” Lyon said. “At first, I assumed they were looking for a different ‘Squid Ink’ shop somewhere else.”
But things quickly escalated. A woman arrived at the shop claiming she had an appointment with a tattoo artist Lyon and Taylor did not employ. She explained that she had paid a $150 deposit and was given Squid Ink’s address — only to discover there was no such appointment, and her money was gone.
“I mean, $150 — especially right now — that can make or break someone for a few weeks,” Taylor said.
Lyon said they attempted to call the number used by the scammer, but it was disconnected. “A representative of the shop is then left to deal with the situation and break the news that you actually don’t have an appointment,” he said.
Not an Isolated Case
This kind of fraud is not unique to Shawnee. Other tattoo studios in multiple states have reported similar scams. In social media posts, artists describe scenarios where scammers impersonate tattoo professionals, collect deposits online, and direct clients to real shops that have no knowledge of the appointments.
“What really gets me is — you’ve already scammed the person out of their money,” Lyon said. “Why continue the charade and send them to an actual shop? It just adds insult to injury.”
Protecting Yourself from Tattoo Scams
While many reputable tattoo studios require a deposit to secure an appointment, the communication and booking process can vary widely. That’s why Lyon and Taylor urge potential clients to verify artists and appointments before handing over any money.
Here are some tips they suggest:
Ask questions about the artist’s training, style, and process.
Call the shop directly to confirm the artist works there.
Request an in-person consultation when possible.
Avoid communicating solely through text or social media DMs, especially with accounts that seem new or unverified.
“We still don’t know why our shop was chosen or how the scammers got our information,” said Taylor. “But we want to share our story to help prevent others from getting caught up in something similar.”
“You never know who is out there controlling your reputation,” Lyon added. “Anyone can really do it — and that’s a shame.”
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