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The Hook The email usually opens with flattery and a big number attached to it. In this case, someone claiming to be a “Senior Grant Coordinator” at something called the International Art Institute (or the name of a real foundation) reaches out directly, says she’s reviewed your…
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There is a specific scam making the rounds in art communities right now, and it follows a pattern predictable enough that once you know it, you will spot it from a mile away. Here’s how it works. The Hook It usually starts with someone reaching out about a commission. The catch is the price.…
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The Hook It usually starts with flattery. A stranger reaches out, tells you your work is incredible, and says you’re clearly undercharging for it. Then comes the number. Instead of your usual rate for a piece, they offer something way beyond it. Maybe you charge $50 for a headshot and…
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A lot of the scams targeting artists are about tricking you into accepting payment in a way that gives the scammer an easy way to take the money back later, or that never actually gets you paid at all. Most of this comes down to knowing which payment methods actually protect you and which ones just…
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If you sell art commissions online, you’ve probably heard some version of this story, or lived it yourself. It’s called the overpayment scam, and it’s a variation on the old fake check scam that’s been around for decades. The internet just gave it a new coat of paint. It…
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