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Staying Safe on ArtistSea

Artists and art buyers are frequent targets of scams. Knowing the common tactics helps you protect yourself and your work.

Overpayment Scams

A buyer sends a check or payment for more than the agreed price, then asks you to refund the difference. The original payment turns out to be fraudulent, and you lose the "refunded" money.

Red flag: Anyone who offers to pay more than your asking price and requests a partial refund.

Fake Shipping & "Preferred Shipper" Schemes

A buyer insists on using their own shipping agent or sends you a link to a fake shipping company. They may ask you to pay shipping fees upfront to a fraudulent service.

Red flag: Pressure to use an unfamiliar shipping company, or requests to pay shipping fees to a third party before receiving payment for the artwork.

Moving Off-Platform

Scammers often try to move conversations to email, WhatsApp, or other channels where there is no record and no platform protections. Legitimate buyers are usually comfortable communicating through ArtistSea.

Red flag: Immediate requests to switch to email, text, or another platform, especially before any real conversation about the artwork.

Fake Gallery Representation Fees

Someone contacts you claiming to represent a gallery and offers to show or sell your work, but first requires an upfront fee for framing, cataloging, or exhibition space. Legitimate galleries take a commission on sales; they do not charge artists to participate.

Red flag: Any "gallery" or "curator" that asks for upfront payment before showing your work.

Commission & Deposit Scams

A buyer commissions custom work and sends a fraudulent deposit, then cancels and asks for a refund before the payment clears. Or they receive the finished work and issue a chargeback.

Red flag: Large deposits from unknown buyers, pressure to start work immediately before payment clears, or reluctance to use established payment methods.

Phishing & Identity Theft

Messages that contain links to fake login pages or ask for personal information like your bank details, Social Security number, or password. ArtistSea will never ask for your password via message.

Red flag: Messages with suspicious links, requests for login credentials, or demands for personal financial information.

General Tips to Stay Safe

Keep conversations on ArtistSea where possible so there is a record.
Never send money to a buyer. A real buyer pays you, not the other way around.
Wait for payments to fully clear before shipping artwork or starting commissioned work.
Use established payment methods with buyer/seller protection.
Research buyers, galleries, and organizations before engaging. A quick web search can reveal known scams.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, slow down and verify.
Report suspicious messages using the Report button or contact us through the Feedback form.

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If you receive a suspicious message, please report it so we can help keep the community safe.

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