Beware of Scammer Emails Targeting Guild Members
By Kathy Weiss
Several of our members have recently reported receiving suspicious emails from individuals claiming to be interested in purchasing artwork. These emails often arrive through our personal or website contact forms and appear flattering at first glance, but they are part of a known art scam tactic.
This is a real example of a scam message received by one of our members.
How to Spot a Scam Email
Be on the lookout for the following red flags:
Vague compliments that could apply to any artist or artwork.
No specific reference to a piece on your website or in a show.
Urgency or eagerness to buy quickly without normal questions.
Suspicious contact details, often only a free email address (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) and no phone number.
Requests for unusual payment methods or overpayment scenarios (a classic scam setup).
What You Should Do
Do not respond to suspicious emails.
Do not click on links or share personal information, including phone numbers, addresses, or banking details.
Block or report the sender.
If in doubt, ask another Guild member or forward the email to Guild leadership for review.
Protecting Yourself Online
Keep your website and social media professional, but limit personal details.
If selling artwork, use secure payment platforms.
Be cautious if someone insists on paying by cashier’s check, money order, or other non-standard methods.
Our Guild is a vibrant, creative community, and unfortunately, scammers sometimes try to take advantage of that. Please stay alert, share this information with fellow members, and let’s look out for each other.
