Online Scam

Comment by Sara Youngman on July 2, 2011 at 9:22pm

Note to self - make use of the proofread option...

Comment by Jacki Bilsborrow on July 3, 2011 at 12:07am

Gosh, I had no idea these scams were even something artists had to be concerned with.   Sara, did you read the post a few days ago about scams?  I really appeciate that you are posting your experiences with this.  When these scammers say they have their own shipper, who are they using?  Are they using anything but the US Postal service because of the governmental laws they would break would pose a more serious penalty?

Glad you were too smart for them.  I hope others see your warning.

Jacki B

Comment by Sara Youngman on July 3, 2011 at 10:48am

No, didn't see the post.  Have had such a busy summer haven't been here in months.  Just thought I'd jump on and send this note out.  When I googled and saw the messages on a couple of other sites I thought I'd spread the word here.  One of the other comments said the woman had given her credit card info, including the 3 digit security code in an email, then asked if she could charge $900 extra - one of those 'if you'll cash this check for me I'll pay you $1000' things.  Seems some people won't stop at anything to steal money from people.

Comment by Jim Parker on July 3, 2011 at 1:55pm

Anytime an potential overseas client inquires and offers to handle the shipping themselves, it's likely a scam. And overseas credit cards don't have any kind of protection for the merchant. If the charge is later contested, you have no recourse. Take no wooden nickels.

This scam has been around a long time. It's not limited to artists. In fact, the wording sometimes is so general, that you know all they have is an email address and they're phishing for suckers. Clues: They don't specifically know what you're selling, and ask you to send a catalog, or information on your products. Usually it's a shipping scam with an overpayment, send me the excess cash scam in some form.

The easiest way to avoid this is not handle any overseas sales. And just delete those fishy emails.

Comment by Jacki Bilsborrow on July 3, 2011 at 4:15pm

Well, Sara, thanks for posting the scam alert.  When things get busy, as things do in the summer for artists, it would be easy to get stung in a scam just because we aren't pay as close of attention. 

Jacki B

Comment by Alison Thomas on July 6, 2011 at 5:46pm

The way the scam usually works is the "purchaser" asks you to pay the shipper for them and sends a bogus money order or charge for the amount for your work plus shipping.  You give the "shipper" real money and your art and the money order or charge is no good.

Comment by Sara Youngman on July 6, 2011 at 9:34pm

Seems pretty lame considering the statement on my website re: Paypal.  Oh sure, I'll make an exception for an unknown woman in New Zealand, no problem.  Do people really fall for these scams?

Comment by Alexandra Kube on September 6, 2011 at 3:49pm

I had this email two weeks ago... after a few emails back and forth setting up a purchase...as soon as I said I accepted payment thru paypal and that I would handle the shipping I ceased to hear back from her:

"--
Hi,
Hope this message finds you well. I saw these creatives works on your web
site and i will like you to get back with more details if they are still
available for purchase.
Joshua Trees   and   Sierra Madre Area
I will appreciate an urgent reply.
Best Regards,
Susan Short."

Comment by Sara Youngman on September 7, 2011 at 8:39pm

Sure sounds like the same semi-illiterate person.  Changing countries now.  Beware of the "urgent reply" bit too I guess.

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