The Situation No Artist Should Accept

There’s a special kind of disrespect that comes with telling someone they can’t access their own money while still trying to reach into their bank account like everything is business as usual.

That’s exactly what’s happening here.

My TuneCore account currently has withdrawal restrictions placed on it. No clear resolution. No urgency. No transparency. Yet somehow, despite locking my funds, TuneCore has now attempted—for the second time—to deduct $7.21 from my bank account without authorization.

Blocking withdrawals from an artist’s account while attempting withdrawals from their bank is not a mistake — it’s crossing a line.

Unauthorized Means Unauthorized

Let’s be clear. This isn’t a “system error.” This isn’t automation acting up. Unauthorized means unauthorized. I did not approve the charge. I did not consent to it. And when it happens more than once, it stops being a mistake and starts looking like a pattern.

Especially when the platform already controls access to your earnings.

You Can’t Have It Both Ways

You don’t get to freeze an artist’s money and still treat their bank account like an open door. Either the account is restricted or it isn’t. You don’t get to lock one side and operate freely on the other.

If my account is restricted, you don’t get to charge my bank. If you can charge my bank, I should be able to access my earnings.

This imbalance puts all the risk on creators and zero accountability on the platform. And that imbalance is exactly what’s broken in the creator economy.

This Isn’t About $7.21

This isn’t about a small charge. It’s about trust. It’s about respect. It’s about platforms that move painfully slow when artists need answers, but operate flawlessly when it’s time to collect money.

Independent artists already fight algorithms, promotion costs, gatekeepers, and delayed payouts. The last thing we should be dealing with is unauthorized bank deductions from companies that claim to support creators.

Final Thoughts

If platforms want loyalty, they need to start acting like partners—not landlords holding the keys while charging rent. Locking withdrawals while attempting unauthorized charges isn’t just bad service.

It’s a warning sign.