How To Spot A Scam Or Fake Buyer
This is scam school. We have a few VERY simple lessons for you and once you have read them you will be scam, spam and fake buyer savvy :)
No certificates I am afraid but a good basis for your life as an artist.
Ready?
First lesson
DO NOT PANIC if you have answered one. Just do not answer any further emails from them and they will move on.
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DEFINITIONS
SPAM MAIL
E-mail spam, also known as junk e-mail, is a subset of spam that involves nearly identical messages sent to numerous recipients by e-mail.
PHISHING MAIL
Phishing is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
SCAMMER MAIL
Scammer emails will ask you to sell an original and normally ask you to allow them to have it picked up. They will not work through Paypal or direct money transfer but will only do it by a cashiers cheque or postal order and will send money for the wrong amount which you have to pay back to them. The cheque or postal order is forged and a fraud every time
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EXAMPLES
1. hi, i would like to buy some art from you - what kind of art do you sell?
2. Can I have a digital copy of the work for me to print out while I wait for the real thing?
3. I'll give you something for free.
4. Hello dear.
5. any time someone wants ART - nothing specific, just some art
6 anyone that already has a delivery truck and will pick the work up or get their shipper to pick it up
7 anyone that wants to pay you more than its worth
8. anyone who can't give you specific names for the items they want, or the site they saw it on
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WHAT TO DO IF UNSURE
1. Often simply copying what they asked, into google will show others that posted the same message.
2. Ask us - Just tell us the gist of it.
Here are links to two other sources of information
How Credit Card Scam Targeting Wedding Photographers Work and How To Protect Yourself
10 Signs You Are Dealing With an Art Scammer
Remember - If it sounds too good to be true, it normally is!
