Scammers

[Donald Maier]

I don't know why I keep getting scammers trying to bilk me out of my money, but this is the second one so far this year. It happens a lot on Fine Art America, which is a wonderful site and I urge everyone to sign on there and use their Print-On-Demand program, which I have had lots of success with selling over 100 prints and cards so far. But it does get me the scammers too. Not spammers, but scammers. They are usually people from Nigeria who give you a western name and are from places like London, supposedly, but have trouble using the english language properly.

Today's scammer called themselves, Sarah Lockhart and wanted a recent watercolor. They count on our vanity and ego to pit hope against reality that they are really interested buyers and want to go along as much as possible to make the sale. I, a seasoned sea dog, are to experienced for this old trick. They send an email saying they want to buy a painting but need the "final" price of the piece. I don't know why they have to ask that, since the price is clearly marked on the website... but I respond, and this is important to remember... I give the price, with shipping cost, and say that they must us my PayPal account for payment. Do not accept cashier checks and do not allow anyone to come to you for the pick up for the art. They will send you cashier's checks for more than the value, want you to refund a large portion of that money back to them (which is how they make their money) and have someone come by and pick up the artwork from you. The last bit I am not even sure if that ever happens, since there real goal is to get a cash refund from you, not own your painting.

I had two paintings by the same name at different sizes so I could not give them an actual price until I ID's the actual painting they wanted. I even gave them two links to the pages where they were for ID. But I got no response on this. They just asked again for a final price and started into there standard sales pitch.

Here is the response I received today from this person... notice the word "model" of payment instead of mode of payment.

Good afternoon,
  Thanks for getting back to me,What is your final asking price? My model of payment is Cashier Check are you okay with the model of payment? About the shipping don't worry i have a shipping company that will come and pick it up in your place after you receive your payment. If you are okay with the model of payment give me your information so that i can mail out the payment to you as soon as possible. Your full name,address,state,city,zip code and phone number. Catch you soon.
God bless you.
Sarah.

 Anyway, I hope this alerts most of you to this type of scam and help you avoid any trouble.

[Amanda (Carder) Lovett]

I have gotten these before to but when I let them know I only take payment through Pay pal they go away.

Thanks for the info