Comments on: Sure Signs of an Internet Scam and How to Stop It Cold

By: Julia Hacker

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:18:34 +0000

Hello Alison. I am quiet new for internet interactions and while looking for advise I stumbled across this article. First of all thank you for warning and advise. But i also found out that referring to somebody’s request as potential scam based on poor English is somewhat offensive to me. My English is not so good either,but i bought few art pieces from other artists. And also managed to develop relationships with some of them after the fact of purchase. i think it should be rather about terms of payment.Artist can set up paypal or ship only after prepayment.We should not judge people by appearance or language ability. After all it could be their 2nd or 3rd language.

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By: Bob James

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:35:23 +0000

I would be flattered by any scammer’s desire to own my art work or to think it worth so much as to merit a scam, but I suspect these people are after money, not art.
If you follow the bait I think eventually they’ll send you an overpayment in the form of a bad check, asking you to please refund the difference with your shipment.
Maybe I’m too cynical.

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By: Susan Garriques

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 02:05:35 +0000

I’ve gotten a few of these emails, too, including ones that mention the name and size of paintings on my website. When I replied telling that I could only accept PayPal as a method of payment, there were no more emails.

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By: Karen Martin Sampson

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:20:09 +0000

I have received a number of these email requests to buy my work. A little red flag always goes up in my brain. I usually do not reply or tell them I require a certified cheque in the correct amount (not an overpayment that I will need to refund to them), that must clear first and that I will ship the work and use the shipper of my choice, not theirs. They never reply. Sometimes I Google the name and question about whether or not it is a scam and quite regularly there is information about it being a scam, how the same worded email has gone to many other artists, etc.

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By: Keith B McCulloch

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:02:20 +0000

In reply to David Hilton.

So, David, what is your payment method. This is new for me and I would really like to know

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 04:52:53 +0000

In reply to Molly Hargarten.

Wow. I have great detectives here reading this blog. Very nice that the work paid off for you, Molly. It goes to show that you don’t want to dismiss every email inquiry.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 04:51:45 +0000

In reply to Margret Short.

Margret: I can count on you for a good sense of humor. Good work!

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Tue, 23 Nov 2010 04:51:14 +0000

In reply to Amanda Brazier.

Good detective work, Amanda. I think the ability to delete/ignore will come with experience.

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By: Molly Hargarten

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 21:03:17 +0000

I have received at least two emails just like this. I knew right away that they were fake because they were vague and said they liked ‘my work’. When I send a response and asked them which work they liked they named a medium that I don’t even do! Good point on the urgency portion as well. To date, I haven’t been aware of many Art Emergencys out there…..but you never know. I also recieved an email from a valid gallery in San Francisco. My husband and I did a lot of research to make sure they were a real bricks and mortar place. We called the city tax department to make sure they were listed, we searched their location with Google earth and actually saw them and then we searched for them on the internet. It was well worth the effort.

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By: Margret Short

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:39:28 +0000

Hello Alyson,
These email queries are all too familiar, as I get them often also. My technique is this. I respond by saying the painting they wish to buy is still available. The price is $1,500,000. Then I tell them after I receive the funds, I promise to ship said painting immediately.
Without exception I never hear from them again. I’m still waiting for the funds to roll in. Hmmmmmmmmmm.
Margret

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