Since graduating in May I have gotten two emails that initially made me feel happier then I've been in a while...but only for a few seconds. Those first few seconds are due to feeling of validation in ones own work because someone out in our world loves your stuff. Then you should get suspicious. After googling their name or email address you may come across some articles that say this person is trying to scam you. Don't let them! Before going through with anything, do a little research.
Things you should be aware of in deciding if it is a scam:
-spelling errors
-email address and name don't match
-their computer's IP address doesn't match where they say they are from
-wanting to buy your work quickly because of an anniversary or they are moving
In one of my emails the person's name changed halfway through our correspondence. In both cases, the buyer refused to do business my way - the safe way using paypal - instead they demanded to use a check. Which in some cases that may be fine. However, they wanted to send me a check, wait for me to deposit it, then have someone they knew come to my house and pick up the artwork...They lived in "California" and I'm in Minnesota...how exactly is this doing things quickly so you can get the package before you anniversary/move? Short answer: It's not and it is a scam.
I understood that it was a scam but didn't know how this actually affected me. They were sending ME money, not the other way around right? WRONG. In these cases they most often send you a bad check, which will bounce, then you'll be out of money. Or, they will send you a check worth more then the agreed upon price asking you to send back the extra. Thus, giving them your money and receiving a bad check. The third option is they might use a stolen credit card. If this is the case and there were some red flags that go up, try and get as many credit card numbers from them - saying the transaction has failed, do you have another card? - then report the cards as stolen. Another way they might try and scam you is asking for pictures of your art and then use those photos for themselves.
My new endeavor has me wondering...Recently I applied to have my work shown in two different magazines. One of them was sent to me by and friend and the other a representative saw my work on Instagram and made a comment. Both required an application or entry fee without a guarantee that you would get in because a juror would be selecting the works. I did not get into Art MazMag and didn't really think anything of it. Then I didn't get into 1340 Art but they said they loved my work and offered to show my work in their online gallery for a year for free (and they don't take any commission on the artwork on their website). I was about to make an account and for some reason I decided to google 1340 Art and low and behold their are a bunch of articles about a scam...but there are mixed reviews. A lot of them say you should never pay an entry fee for one of these magazines because they never pick any artists and they just want your $20. However, in my experience they first asked me to apply for free to have my art shown on their Instagram. Then later they asked if I would like to apply for a page in their magazine...Don't know if I will post my art on their website yet.