Scam Artists
It was only a matter of time before our artists starting getting hit by scam artists. Please read the following below and check out the suggested website for more information. Keep reading until you find the number for verifying USPO Money Orders. Remember, do not accept cashier checks or money orders without first having your bank check into the possibility of a fraud - keeping in mind this can take upward to 120 days to determine the validity of a secure bank note of any sorts.
Generally a scammer will have an excuse about why they are over paying you and how you are to pay someone else from these excess dollars from their bank note or money order of sorts. It will usually have to do with art transport so that someone they have arranged comes out and picks up your art while you pay them the excess for not only moving your art but other things the moving person is presumably transporting to some place generally out of the country and most likely in Africa as has been my experience usually, but not in your area. It doesn't necessarily have to be out of the country, I have been scammed in my own town.
Scammers will also try to western union, or wire transfer funds to you, or even electronic checks for purchases - this is an effort to gain your personal information for identity theft. Only accept cash, PayPal, or checks for art purchases, and make certain all have cleared prior to shipping. Never update your paypal information in an effort to gain funds that seem to be caught up - when in question, call PayPal, do not log into the suggested site.
When making a sale, generally after a work has been touched up and dries well enough to be safe for shipping, the check has cleared the bank - usually 10 business days.
I speak from multiple personal experience.
Following, Valerie Estvan is kind enough to share her recent approach by a scammer.
In a message dated 2/29/08 9:42:06 AM, valerie.estvan.paints@gmail.com writes:
Hi there,
I got this today and then after mulling over the idea, I thought, well, lemme just Google this name...
and this is what I got off of WetCanvas (good site by the way) http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=408662&page=2
I might have wasted a lot of time and energy on a scam!
Wonder WHY they do this..... no one gets past the check stage.......?
Besides, its such a tease. Hard enough to sell in this economy anyway!!!
Just an FYI for you and others...
Valerie
Hi,
Season greetings. Hope this message finds you well .I came across your web page while searching for good artworks and I will like to buy these creative artworks.....
""Harvest #1" and Hidden Beach Isle
I will be happy to have these selected artworks in our new home. What are there prices exclusive of shipping cost? We are travelling from our London home to our new apartment in Johannesburg, South Africa. Regarding payment,I will be happy to pay you with a Certified Cashier Check. I will appreciate an earlier reply. Thanks.
Best Regards,
Hann.
www.ValerieEstvanStudio.com
I hope this helps. If you have any questionable activity, we are always pleased to assist.
phone number to verify US Postal Service money orders (866-459-7822)
Best ~ Denise
In a message dated 2/29/08 2:10:23 PM, cloudwoman@kitcarson.net writes:
Thanks Denise. A scam I got was from an "artist" in London who wanted me to help him get payment for a painting someone wanted to buy. Sort of like the African scams that we've all gotten. I checked him and the supposed gallery he referenced on Google. The I e-mailed him back "Good luck!"
Abigail
In a message dated 2/29/08 2:42:20 PM, jack@dickerson.com writes:
Hi Denise and artists,
I have had several emails like this over the last few years. I simply ignore them. It is always a moving from soemwhere to South africa. Delete them, and so NOT think you may be loosing a sale.
In response ot my first one, I simply told them I would only sell paintings by talking to the buyer. They could send me the [phone number and I would call them. OI got no resp.
And then I started to see a similar pattern and style in the prospect emails. Als you can see that the grammar is not exactly correct either.
Just throw them away.
Also anyone serious about buying a piece of art will want to talk with the artist. 99.999% of art buyers do NOT buy with a simple email contact. It is all about the dialog, and in the dialog are the details: size, framing, shipping, timing, payment process—let alone the desciption of the textures, colors, etc.
Good luck. Denise was right to warn us. I have heard of sev artists being sucked in by this and loosing their work.
Jack D