In every instance its best to assume that a creator does not want you to re-upload or change their content in any form. Many creators will not bother to warn against such activity because its the general assumption that this should not happen regardless. It does not matter why you're stealing their content, or what your intentions are.
However if you're unsure if you're wrongfully distributing, benefitting from or using someone else's content, go through the following;
Do you have the creator's explicit permission?
This could be through a direct message or perhaps a note somewhere on the original upload that gives you permission to use their content in X manner. E.g; the content creator explicitly gives all viewers permission to save their image and use it as a phone wallpaper.
The answer to this should always, always be 'yes' and if it isn't, do not use/save/change/re-upload that content. If you're unsure about the specific permissions or none are listed you should always contact the creator first for clarification. Never, ever automatically assume that something is just free for you to take however you please.
No permission, no use!
Where did you source the content?
Pinterest is a minefield of stolen content because its so easy for different users to simply save someone's content as their own and upload it with little consideration or ramification. Pinterest is not a suitable place to harvest content. Likewise neither are similar sharing sites or Google Images, because all of those are simply 'host' sites that any result or upload will be hosted in.
You should always aim to go back to the original source when determining if you can use someone's content. The reverse-image option on your search engine is useful for this, as are websites that allow you to enter an image and find its total existing platforms.
You can also search for the work title, unique paragraphs of text, ect in your search engine and everywhere that content exists should come up as a result.
If you cannot find the original content creator, do not use that content.
It isn't like real life, where you can just keep that $5 you found fluttering around an empty parking lot. If you cannot find the original content creator for whatever reason, assume you do not have their permission and do not use that content. Its basic respect.
Am I crediting the original content creator?
Its so easy to see something online and just assume its a free-for-all, but this is not the case. We're a generation so used to entitlement and fast consumption we never stop to actually think; hey, am I allowed to use this? Do I even know who actually made it? Am I actually telling people this isn't mine, and where to find it?
Even if you do have permission to use something, you should still actually credit the person who originally made it. And, no;
'Disclaimer: I DID NOT MAKE THIS!' / 'This isn't mine.' / 'Artwork not mine.'
Is not actually credit. You should include the full username of the source material. So, for example, if you obtained permission from Artist24 on DeviantArt to use their image for your story cover, you should include either on the image itself or in a noticeable place in your story description/notes that the image belongs to Artist24 on DeviantArt.
As an aside, please do not take crediting the original creator or linking to the original content as a green light to simply take. I see that so often on here, where so called 'authors' are simply stealing someone else's fanfiction but think because they linked to the original story, its okay. Its not. Its still content theft. The author shouldn't be forced to notify you they didn't actually want their content taken.
In short;
Do I have permission?
Do I know who it belongs to?
Am I using it within their boundaries?
Am I crediting the original content creator?
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Content Theft 101
No FicciónWant to know if you're inadvertently stealing content? Want to know what to do if someone's stolen your content? Answers to the above and more can be found here.
