Stay Safe, Sell Smart: The Artist’s Guide to Spotting Scams

Protect Your Art from Scammers and Thieves

If you’re an artist selling your work online (or even just thinking about it), you’ve probably heard stories about scams targeting creatives. Well, I’m here to tell you—it’s not just whispers. It’s a real thing, and even the most seasoned artists can get caught out if they’re not careful. So, let’s have a little heart-to-heart about the most common scams I’ve seen (and nearly fallen for myself!), and how you can keep your art—and your bank account—safe.

The 5 Most Common Scams Targeting Art Sellers

1. Overpayment Scams You get a message from a “buyer” who seems absolutely desperate to own your work (flattering, right?). They offer to pay full price—or even more!—and then send you a cheque or payment for more than the agreed amount. Next thing you know, they’re asking you to refund the difference. Spoiler alert: their original payment bounces, and you’re left out of pocket.
Red flag: Anyone asking for a refund or to “forward” money elsewhere.

2. Fake Shipping Requests
This one’s a classic. The scammer insists on using their own shipping company or asks you to pay a “shipping agent” on their behalf. Sometimes they’ll send a fake payment to cover these costs.
Red flag: Requests to pay third parties or use unfamiliar shipping services.

3. Phishing and Account Takeover
You get an email or message that looks like it’s from Etsy, PayPal, or even Instagram, asking you to “verify” your account or click a link. These are designed to steal your login details and take over your account.
Red flag: Unsolicited emails with urgent requests or suspicious links.

4. Fake Purchase Inquiries
Someone contacts you with a vague, generic message (“I want to buy your art for my wife’s birthday!”) and tries to move the conversation off your website or trusted platform.
Red flag: No reference to specific artwork, poor grammar, or requests to communicate outside your official channels.

5. Payment Method Switcheroo
The “buyer” insists on paying via PayPal Friends & Family, Venmo, cheque, wire transfer, or any other non-secure method instead of your website or a trusted platform.
Red flag: Reluctance to use your official checkout or secure payment methods.

How to Protect Yourself (and Your Art!)

Most of these scams have one thing in common: they want you to accept payment outside your official website or a reputable marketplace. My golden rule?
Always insist that buyers place orders directly through your website or a trusted platform.
It’s safer for you and for them!

Here’s a little message you can copy and paste if you ever get a suspicious inquiry:

“Thank you so much for your interest in my artwork! For your security and mine, I only accept orders placed directly through my website. You can view and purchase available pieces here: [your website link]. Let me know if you have any questions!”

Pop that in your notes or email templates so you’re never caught off guard!

Final Thoughts

Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is. And remember, you’re not alone! So many artists have been targeted, and sharing these stories helps us all stay safer. If you’ve got a scam story or a tip to share, pop it in the comments or send me a message. Let’s look out for each other!

Life is all about the journey, so why not enjoy it—and keep our creative community safe while we’re at it! ❤️