Art Scams Are There: Beware!

ART SCAMS:

Friday, I had an email that I was suspect of the content. Today I am sure! Someone is trying to scam me. This is my second scammer email in the past year and a half that I have had. Luckily, I have been on my toes. Thought it might benefit other artists' to publish this info that I found on ARTBISTRO posted by AngelaArt and my emails from balletryan@gmail.com 

Please republish if you are in the art community.

Beware: mean people suck,

Teresa

P.S. My two scammer emails are below the info provided by ARTBISTRO.

Key Signs of a Scammer:

1. Misspelled words and bad grammar.  Written in poor English.

2. Want to send cashier's check or money order through another person/company.

3. URGENT reply needed.  Item needed immediately.

4. They want you to use their shipping company and pay for them out of pocket. (So in other words not only are they sending you a fake check, you are paying THEM for the privilege of stealing your art!)

5. They are not informed about your art and ask for information that is readily available on your website.  Or ask for information about a painting when you are a sculptor.

6. Offer sounds too good to be true, they want to purchase many items at once.

7. They request personal information about you to make special arrangements for payment or pick up.

8. The email address is from yahoo or hotmail or some other major webmail account.

9. Trust your intuition.  If it seems fishy it probably is, so go slowly.

Tips on protecting yourself:

1. Stick to your normal payment process (insist on using PayPal or other trusted system).  Most scams revolve around the payment.

2. Be SURE all payments clear your bank BEFORE doing anything.  This can take weeks for overseas accounts so be wary of customers who want to rush the process.

3. Search the internet for information about the buyer & his email account.  A lot of times you will find other artists who have reported them as scammers.

Hope this helps.  Here is a copy of an email I got today that is an example of a classic scam:

First email:

ballet ryan to me

show details Aug 12 (3 days ago)

Hello Teresa,

My name is Ballet Ryan and am from South Carolina and Was going through your works and love this piece.
What's your final price for it and am really interested in purchasing the piece.

Thanks and i await your response.

Ryan.

Second Email:

ballet ryan to me

show details 6:55 PM (2 hours ago)

Hello Teresa,
Thanks for your prompt reply.I really appreciate your detailed breakdown and frankness on this.
Unfortunately, Im on my way to Mexico on an official trip(I'm a marketing Executive) and wont be back for another two weeks, I
would have come to inspect the piece personally. Im taking your word for true on It though .
Im okay with the price, I think it worth it anyway. If you'd like to know, Im relocating to the UK soon and I'm trying to gather some
good stuff for my new abode. Im buying yours amongst others,quickly! before someone else grabs it.So, I'll arrange to send you payment ASAP as i will be responsible for the shipping (payment) of the piece to my new abode in UK.
However, I'll have to notify my shipper who's helping me move my stuff from the US,to get set for the pickup of the piece from your
place as I MIGHT be delayed in Mexico depending on how things goes.
Thanks,
PS: In the mean time, kindly get back to me with your contact address and also your phone# so I can get certified check prepared
and have it sent out to you ASAP.