Just Say No To Art Scammers!

Girl at Window with art scam Money Swirl by Bonnie Follett
Girl at Window with art scam Money Swirl by Bonnie Follett

Dear Artists:   I understand you get excited if someone shows an interest in actually purchasing your artwork, but. . . be sure to check them out before you even bother to respond. They may be a potential scammer.

So this is a public service message for artists and to  remind any readers about Art Scams out there on those “internets” – usually by email, possibly by telephone, and maybe by now, other means too! Be a little skeptical!

What To Do: 

(1) The first thing to do is a google search on their email address, and then on their name, and see if anything pops up on that, or if they even look like a real person based on what results do come up. (If there’s absolutely nothing that comes up on a person or their email, that’s a red flag.) Then do a search on art scams.

(2) Keeping in mind the type of communication you received, see how it compares to the known Art Scams (reflected in your searches or in the articles below). If you recognize the same methods being used, compared to the examples provided, well, it’s a scam.

(3) If what’s going on with you seems like it may be slightly different, scams continually evolve, so do a google search on a phrase or words used (copy and paste from the email) or on what they told you (if by telephone). Maybe it’s a new one.

(4) There’s also a Facebook page (Stop Art Scams) where you can ask questions or report scams for discussion.

(5) Some artists and photographers are tempted to “play along” to see what happens. Don’t be. Don’t waste your time ever responding to them, if its a scam. You have better things to do. They’ll have a weird loop for getting your money (and sometimes your art, for free). If you play their game, you will end up feeling like an idiot. And they will always try to play off your ego and desire for positivity, your wanting to believe it’s a real potential sale.

(6) If you are still tempted to believe it’s a real legitimate potential purchaser, develop a good list of questions for information-gathering from the potential client. Go on the defensive and insist that the purchaser follow “your business procedures” (which you never deviate from) and see how they respond to providing information on just who they are really, and whether they will follow your procedures. If they are legit, they will not have a problem with that. If they are a fake, they will have lots of reasons why they have to do it “their way.” Drop them like a hot potato! – And publish their fake name and email on the internet as a known scammer – I saved at least two other artists from my scammer a few months ago. He was  John Owen – johnowen1000010000@gmail.com .

(7) Go spend your time on your usual routine, your art, and your usual social media marketing procedures. Don’t bite on scammers and get reeled in by their funky B.S.

Check out these links if you think something is fishy (or even if you hope it’s “Legit”):

 

🙂 not 🙁

 

Blue Angels Over Alcatraz Print Sale

This week I sold a 36″ x 24″ glossy canvas print of this photograph to a buyer from Sun City, Arizona. Thank you very much for your purchase! The Announcement page can be viewed by clicking on the below image.

Blue Angels Over Alcatraz Canvas Print
Blue Angels Over Alcatraz Canvas Print

This photograph, and my other photography and painting images are available on Fine Art America and Pixels.com and can be used on a variety of print products – from art prints on canvas, metal prints, framed prints, posters, greeting cards, tote bags, throw pillows, mugs, beach towels, shower curtains, clothing and t-shirts, and much more.

Blue Angels Over Alcatraz image on FineArtAmerica.com

Blue Angels Over Alcatraz image on Pixels.com

You can browse the products and drop down menus to see how fully customizable the products are. The price range, sizing and finishing is up to the purchaser’s preferences.

Galleries of my other work are organized loosely by general subject matter on this page: Bonnie Follett on Pixels.com.
Thanks for visiting!

Lake Mead Photo Print Sale

Last week I sold a metal print of one of my photographs on Fine Art America/Pixels.com – Lake Mead Before Sunset. My thanks and appreciation go out to this art purchaser!  Click image to see my sale page:

Lake Mead Before Sunset Metal Print, photograph by Bonnie Follett
Lake Mead Before Sunset Metal Print, photograph by Bonnie Follett

This and my other photographs and paintings images are available on Fine Art America and Pixels.com and can be also used on a variety of print products – from art prints on canvas, metal prints, framed prints, posters, greeting cards, tote bags, throw pillows, mugs, beach towels, shower curtains, clothing and t-shirts, and much more. I am posting links to this Lake Mead photo page as an example if you want to browse:

Lake Mead image on FineArtAmerica.com

Lake Mead image on Pixels.com

You can browse the products and drop down menus mentioned on these pages to see how fully customizable the products are. The price range,  sizing and finishing is up to the purchaser’s preferences.

Galleries of my work are organized loosely by general subject matter on this page:

Bonnie Follett on Pixels.com

Thanks for browsing!