For Artists
Scam Alert
Warning to Artists
Recently, a scam has been circulating aimed at artists. It involves the purported purchase of artwork, payment by cashiers check, a family emergency and the request for a refund of the funds represented by the cashiers check. Here is the scam. "Mary" calls artist enthusiastic about a painting that she saw in an art magazine, brochure or on the internet. It is late at night and she is leaving for England early in the morning and wants the painting for her daughter's birthday present, or something similar, such as anniversary, birth of child, or graduation. "Mary" is sending a cashiers check by overnight express and wants the painting, and maybe a second one, shipped to England, France, South Africa, Nigeria, etc., at once. This is an urgent transaction, and she is sending extra money for the expedited shipping or second painting. The cashiers check arrives and is deposited in the bank. The timing is important and well choreographed. About the time of the deposit, she calls back to relate some family tragedy resulting in her need for a refund. Artist is ready to send a check back because she feels sorry for "Mary" who has been so friendly and excited about the art work.
THE PROBLEM: The cashiers check is counterfeit. The sense of urgency is designed to get funds from Artist before the bank discovers the fraud. The painting, in which "Mary" really is not interested already may have been shipped and is gone. Artist is out the original cost of the painting as well as any funds used to refund the so-called buyer. Typically, the correspondence will be from one country, the shipping address to another, and the check from a bank or credit union elsewhere.
SOLUTION: Be suspicious of late night, urgent calls about buying your paintings and shipping them out of the country. Rarely is anything that urgent and in need of such financial manipulation. Be suspicious of anyone wanting to send you large extra amounts for overseas shipping, or sending an unfamiliar "courier" to pick up the painting and pay you with excess funds which you are expected to refund. Have your bank confirm any suspicious cashiers or bank checks, especially from foreign countries. Use good judgment. If the transaction raises suspicions in your mind, act on your suspicions. Artists want to sell paintings, but if the purchase sounds risky, it probably is. The FBI is familiar with this scam so call them if you are approached in this fashion. The offer may be perfectly innocent, but cover yourself. Be especially suspicious of attempts top elicit your sympathy, such as references to sick children, doctors and missionaries in Africa, family illnesses and so on.
