Technology has simplified our lives. Today, with some simple clicks, one can easily share their artwork around the world, meet and find new collectors of their pieces and followers, and make money with their art objects. However, these great things also carry dangers and inconveniences and sometimes leave artists vulnerable to being victims of fraud.
Why is the artwork world the target of scams?
The concept of the “
starved” artist has existed for a long time. One might think, why would fake organizations try to rip off artists? The answer is very simple, and it is that promotional services are always very attractive and striking to them. After all, isn't it the goal of every artist to be "discovered"?
To be an artist today is not as easy as you might think, even with the existence of the internet. You also have to spend time promoting your works and communicating with people. However, if you’re an artist who is solely dedicated to creating works, it seems like an incredible idea to receive an offer of promotion and publicity. So why wouldn't companies try to take advantage of artists?
Another reason art fraud exists might be the increased admiration of art objects as a great investment. We often hear of works of art breaking sales price records.
News about such amounts of money in this business naturally builds the art objects world into a latent target for fraud. It may also be that fraudsters believe that artists are less probable to extensively check these companies' backgrounds, or know that these scams even exist.
You need to make sure you don't fall into this category of naive people. Be very careful and try to be skeptical regarding all the things that might seem suspicious. Having said that, the internet is still a great tool for expanding your audience and sharing your work with people who will appreciate your style. And this is why using the web is unavoidable, despite the fear of fraud or scams. However, you can be careful and prepared in case any fraudulent company or agency tries to contact you.
Tips to avoid scams in the world of art: Some specific types of fraud come and go, but the tactics and strategies are always the same. If you are well aware of them and if you can identify them, then you can easily protect yourself.
Always some particular signs could indicate that an offer is potentially fraudulent or a scam. Let’s check them out:
- Sometimes, offers are very attractive and you just can’t ignore them. You should avoid such offers that sound too good to be true. You must read all the details carefully and investigate and identify anything that makes you suspicious.
- Besides, companies that offer free services are a NO. Read the fine prints and recognize what exactly they are offering. Are there any hidden costs? Are there any unusual obligations?
- Another red flag is if there is no official contact information, or if the contact information provided does not work.
Check their websites to see what the company's physical address is. Is it a public place? Do you know about that area? If it's an organization from another country, then you have another basis to be skeptical. Verify that they have a contact number, and attempt to call them. If the domain is hidden, that is also a bad sign.
- If the company seems to be trying too hard to please you, you should cross-check and re-check their authorizations. Also, check how long it takes for them to respond to your emails? Do they always do it in just a couple of hours? Instant responses are not always a bad sign, but if this happens too often, you should be careful.
It means, they are waiting eagerly for your reply, which is not the case with legitimate art companies dealing with countless clients. If you feel that they are a bit aggressive in their emails, you should assume automatically that something is fishy.
- If they discuss your works, read every detail thoroughly that they have mentioned. Is it just general information with no details, or is it something different completely from how you’ve described your style?
- Lastly, check out the full name of that person who is trying to contact you. Will you be able to spot them on the internet or any other official platforms like LinkedIn? Or cross-check their details on
Nuwber where you can easily find out some more details about that particular person, or see if such a person even exists.
The above points are obvious signals that the company trying to contact you may not be real and authentic. However, many times scammers go to extreme lengths to deceive people and company owners. This is why you have to be very careful to notice more ingenious signs that could be present on their websites or in your online conversations.
Search online:
Do a common search online. Sometimes you might find news about possible scams or blog articles that could help you. Many artists receive
fraudulent offers via email, but doing an online search could educate them and help in spotting such scams. Continue learning about online frauds, not only in the world of art. That will help you with understanding how scams work and being prepared for any suspicious activities.
Consult a professional:
If you still have doubts, talk to any professional in your area. You can also send an email to the owner of the gallery or any other person you know well in your art-related industries. Also, you could try to consult an attorney.
They will be able to help you from a legal angle, and also, they will guide you on what to do. It is always a great idea to get a second opinion, sometimes even a third one.
As we cited earlier, you have to be very careful to avoid art object frauds. At first, it seems like a wonderful offer, and it also seems like a genuine company, but there's a reason some say these scammers are almost artists themselves. Don't be fooled by fancy platforms and excessive promises and potentials. Your artwork is your most prized ownership as a potential artist, but you should be very careful with who you trust with it.
