It's Time to Play Real or Scam?
Curious. When someone contacts you expressing an interest in the work you create from your website, how can you tell if it’s real, as in genuine, or a scam? Does initial joy turn into feeling flat ? Can you trust your gut for the right answer? Scammers don’t discriminate when targeting those they believe are naive prey. No industry or commodity is ever exempt.
Take artists, for example. It’s best to write from experience, right? We value honesty, integrity, trust, entergy and a productive use of our time. You won’t get that in scams.
I’m sharing three of seven edited emails I personally received over the past couple years and as recent as a month ago. I invite you to read them and perhaps notice some suspicious commonalities.
Cue and click some Game Show Music (promise to click back though!) and Let’s Play Real or Scam.
“Fool Me Once, Shame on You. Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me.”
REAL OR SCAM #1
Message:* “Hello; i am Ralph Rayner from NC actually i have been observing my >> wife viewing your work on my laptop and i guess she likes your artwork. I >> was also amazed after seen your unique piece!
My wife is a lover of art in >> all it divines, i am very much interested in purchase a beautiful piece to >> surprise her as our wedding anniversary is coming up.
I must tell you I intend to give my wife a surprise with the immediate purchase of the piece. Also If you'd like to know, I'm relocating to the Philippines soon and our wedding anniversary is fast approaching. So I'm trying to gather some good stuff to make this event a surprise one.
Let me know if i can e-mail you what am interested in ordering.>> Thanks, xxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com”
Is it Real or SCAM? I’ll give you a few seconds to decide before you scroll down.
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Thanks but NO THANKS, RALPH! If you guessed this was a SCAM, you were right. This next case is a little harder…..read on.
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REAL or SCAM #2 Anthony
“Am interested in your items, do you ship to Switzerland and accept US issued credit card as payment?, you will contact my shipper who handles all of my shipment i live in a rural area, they pick up the items at your location and deliver directly to my store doorstep without hassle.
As regarding shipping, you don't have to worry about that in order not to leave any clue to my wife for the surprise. as soon as you receive and cash the check, my shipping agent (who is also moving my personal
effect) will contact you to arrange pick-up.”
Anthony wanted six of my paintings. We exchanged many emails, I asked a lot of questions, researched his international shipping for company legitimacy. I Googled his name, company and did due diligence…
Is it REAL or SCAM? Take a moment to decide and then continue your scroll…..
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.Anthony still wanted the paintings and gave me two credit cards to use . We were near to shipping and ready for payment when issues ensued. The credit card company I use, who are GREAT and I highly recommend (ProPay), HIGH ALERTED me that this most likely a scam. There were behind the scenes processing issues .They were rooting for it not to be the case and were investigating further. But I felt it too. In 24 hours I got the confirmation call back. SCAM. (Or as I like to call it; CLOSE CALL!!!) The art stayed in my apartment, I wasn’t out any money, just time.
One more round? You’re getting the hang of this!!
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REAL or SCAM #3 Mr. X from Iowa
“I would have come to purchase the piece myself but at the moment, am on training voyage to the North Atlantic Ocean (I'm an ocean engineer) with new hires who are fresh from graduate school and won't be back for another couple of weeks.”
”PS: In the meantime, kindly get back to me with your full name (you want the check payable to) cell phone no. and contact address (preferably for Usps ,FedEx,
(not P.O box) where a check can be mailed to, so I can get the check prepared and have it mailed out to you right away.”
Is it Real or SCAM? What’s your gut saying to you?
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Anytime you aren’t given pertinent information such as itinerary dates, location unless a security issue, the company they work for in trade for all of my personal information is definitely a NO DEAL. There’s usually grammar, typos # 3 requires self-protection and deserves to be classified as unfair trade, So many excuses, no substance. SCAM.
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Gentle Readers,
Was this fun to play? Was this interesting?
A takeaway from this is that whenever we encounter situations like these, it’s time to remind ourselves (that’s me and you) what we were called to do and that this situation represents a moment in time.
Our work in this lifetime and on this planet is to not get scammed. I promise., in today’s landscape, that’s harder work than it should be, especially when you feel vulnerable and/or financially strapped.
Unfortunate but true, artists from all over the world have experienced these same stories and players. Trusting their gut, they reach out to fellow artists online to inquire whether this fabulous opportunity is legit. The answers are usually a resounding NO! along with commiseration and/or advice on how best to handle the situation. A majority of the names and email addresses are fake and needs to relayed.
Community is so important for support and self-protection. Artists are people like you and me and they work vulnerable, isolated and way too hard to fall prey to scams, Support, sharing and offering advice through community is a beautiful blessing to have. I am grateful to be part of several such communities,
So as artists (and people), what is our purpose? I’d like to believe it’s to bring inspiration, authenticity, beauty, connection, healing and meaning to the world, to your audience, our environment and to ourselves.
Art helps and art heals. That’s one of the reasons I create the art I do - SHOP. It’s creative, mindful, aesthetically powerful, emotionally uplifting, and shares loads of healthy wisdom. I create and express what I need to help me pivot and adapt to life’s challenges using mixed media and culture. What to do you use? Let me know in the comments below..
I will leave you all with this:
The Who: We Won't Get Fooled Again or Scammed
Until next time,
Marilyn
I would love to hear from you if you’ve been experienced this. Please click on the Contact link on my website to confidentially share your thoughts. And if you liked this post, click the like icon below. You are welcome to share!!!