Art Scams - Be Aware - Don't Become a Victim

This is all common sense stuff but well worth a read to know what's happening

Whilst the majority of buyers online are genuine and honest, it pays to be aware of the tactics being used by less scrupulous individuals. It makes me really furious to think these despicable types will prey on the art community. It's not that we are renowned for being rich!

So, if you do receive an email that looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Here are some known scams and links to pages who have more listed. But feel free to email if you are aware of others and we'll add them here.

And don't forget to spread the word. Feel free to link to this page from any art website.

• First and foremost, don't even bother to open spam. Whether it's a scam or not, if someone doesn't have your permission to email you, it's now against the law. Delete all spam without opening it. Spam emails often contain viruses. Never, ever reply to it, even if the content annoys you. This simply confirms to the spammer that they have reached a valid, in use email address and you'll then be inundated with more. Never, ever buy anything via an unsolicited email either. Again, they may use your card details for fraud. 

• Next, to reiterate what has already been said -

  If something looks too good to be true then it probably is!

  Because selling art online is still relatively novel to artists and our work can now be potentially viewed by the entire world, it is easy to believe that the chances of 'being discovered' are greatly increased. Whilst this has happened, it is not common. Scammers prey on the idea that artist would love this to happen to them.

  Email campaigns have been sent out, supposedly from wealthy art collectors, saying that your paintings have been viewed and are of great interest. The scammers will often name a few paintings by title; these are simply collected from your website at the same time as your email address.

  Tell-tale signs are grammar and punctuation mistakes, misspellings and strange sentence construction. They will often address you in an unusual way too. Often these come from oversees and have been translated poorly into English. They often ask you to contact them urgently and this is particularly the case from Nigerian scamming rings.

  Here is an example of one of these emails >>

  Now this is obviously dodgy but some are written better. Be careful.

   

• Unfortunately, scam emails from Nigeria seem to come in waves. They  often state they are official government agencies asking for assistance in transferring excess funds into your bank account. There are variations on this scam but basically they are simply phishing for your bank details so they can empty your account. Don't reply, just delete.

• Beware of people paying you by cashiers cheque. Sometimes these can take weeks to clear and then turn out to be fraudulent. Be wise and ask for payment via Paypal or another trusted service or an ordinary cheque for your country. Then wait until payment has cleared before you ship out your art.

• Beware of buyers wanting your art as a 'last minute' gift. They may seem genuine enough but artists have been burnt like this. The spammer asks you to ship out the art in time for a special event gift - wedding, anniversary etc. They are 'ever so grateful' to you for doing this and trusting them  before payment has cleared but they will be too late for the special event otherwise. They give you their full assurances that it will be OK. Of course, it often isn't OK. They have your art and you never receive payment. Don't ever be tempted to trust people you don't know with the allure of selling high priced artwork.

• Emails have been sent out asking if you would like your art included in a prestigious art publication which will have huge circulation to potential worldwide art buyers and dealers. These ask for a fee to include your art. Beware.

• Exhibition 'by invitation only' and at a charge are also dodgy. These fraudsters make money from your fee, not selling your art.

Links to more resources