Spam Alert
 

I just received this Email and after a quick on-line check found it to be a spam. It looks like these crooks are making their rounds again:

Just thought I might alert everyone!

I got the same email.

Me, too. Anything suspicious like that I independently Google the sender, and sure enough, Perez came up as a scam.

Yep, got mine too. I'm sure everyone on the main site got a copy.Good to put out the warning Enzie - just in case there is anyone left on the planet that has not seen these and might be fooled by them.

This type of lowlife scam is super easy to spot. I have been getting them daily for years. Here's a few things to look for - two or more of these and it's a definite scam that should just be deleted.

1. They never use or know your name.
2. The sender always has a free email address. Almost always yahoo.com or yahoo.uk.co
3. They want to buy one of your particular pieces, but then ask you to send photos so they can choose one of your pieces. They never mention any details about a specific work of yours.
4. English is never their first language (poor use of grammar)
5. They always mention payment methods - if this early on they mention payment by check, it's always check fraud scam and they usually add that you can cash it right away!
6. If they mention 3rd party shippers, then it's always the check fraud scam where they send overpayment for the shipping and you end up losing the difference.
7. They are always in a hurry

Another popular scam targets people who teach. Same check fraud scam. Usually, they say their "son" is coming for a holiday to "your area" and they want to pay for several weeks of lessons upfront (of course again they have no clue who you are, where you live, or what subject you teach).

Chris, I googled the name as well and found a warning on Artslant. I just think the best defense for us is in passing along the knowledge as soon as these guys get active.

Good Info, Enzie.

Be aware that your name and a specific art piece can be used.

I occasional receive emails expressing interest in one particular artwork's availability. It's always the same artwork, it's similar wording, and it shows up in the "spam" section of my email.
After wasting my time researching one contact person (fictional addresses and phone numbers) I figure that anyone legit can easily look up my phone number and contact me directly.

I like one artist's approach: he tells potential customers that he will be happy to send them the artwork after the check clears their bank, apologizing but stating that it is necessary because of all these spams and schemes.

It's not sufficient to wait until your bank tells you the check has "cleared". Many banks will say that within a few days. Then they call you a few weeks later to tell you it was a fraudulent check.

Julie Yup, that's pretty funny.

Michele, you bring up such a good point. :thumbsup: All these pitfalls we have to navigate through....

You're right about that, Michelle. The artist said to wait until it clears THEIR bank, although I'm not sure if the bank will release that information or not. I would think a bank check might be better.

As of Feb 13, 08 another spam...

I am afraid with all these spammers I am going one day to pass on the real thing! LOL

What's going on?! Are you all getting as many of these as I am?

This greeted me this morning:

My name is Steve James, I am an individual art agent and interior decorator from glasgow, scotland.I got an order for the supply of some artworks from a client, and when i came across your portfolio while searching for good artworks, I found some of them to fit what i am looking for and great for walls, My client would like to make payment to you by credit card at the price i am selling and i will expect you to ship and send me my commission /margin afterwards.I am looking forward to a long term working relationship. Please let me know if you do commission work and if you accept credit card payment before we place orders ,and if you have questions please feel free to ask. Hope to hear from you soon. Best Regards. [email protected]

This is after a longer search on Google
My name is Robert from Glasgow, Scotland. I got an order for the supply of some artworks from my employer, and when i came across your works while searching for good artworks, I found some of them to fit what i am looking for and great for walls, My client (the organization i work for) will be making payment to you by credit card (we can't make use of our paypal account for now because its not properly set up and we exceeded our spending limit) at the price i am selling and i will expect you to ship and send me my commision/margin afterwards.I am looking forward for a long term working relationship. Please let me know if you do commission work and if you accept credit card payment before we place orders, and if you have questions,you can contact me at [email protected]


Scam warning page:
http://www.artistsites.org/art-scam-alerts.php

How smart of you to check before falling into what might have been a bad situation!

Michelle, I am afraid in this day and age we have no other choice but to double check everything.

My husband had a great idea. He said how fun would it be to just send a load of junk. These scammers would think they found another victim until ~ SURPRISE! I would do it, if I could see the look on their faces! LOL

Great idea, Enzie,
why not send him a picture of your latest work, the "Night Watch" by Rembrand and see if he knows ANYTHING about this business.

I got a spam asking if I would be willing to spend a few hours helping a cancer sick multimillionaire from Arabia spend his last millions on welfare projects, I would get 30 % ;)
A search on the net told me that his real adress was more southern, more like Nigeria.