However, red flags went up when the client insisted that they'd only pay by cheque (or "check" as it was American). "My sponsor doesn't use online payment platforms. He's an old-fashioned businessman."
I Googled the email address and discovered that other artists had reported it as a scam:
https://www.dailycartoonist.com/index.php/2023/01/10/scummers-gonna-scam
As I understand it, the con is that they send you a cheque but it's "mistakenly" for a higher amount than agreed. Then they tell you to bank it and refund them the difference. Their cheque then bounces and you're out of pocket.
I'm angry that some creep tried to con me but relieved I nipped it in the bud before they got me.
6 comments:
You can’t help but think these people would make more £££/$$$ if only they chose to spend their time pursuing something lawful/legal.
Cheers,
Geoff
Don't know that one for Artist but the old 'Oh, mistake we send you too much' is a very old scam in the computer fields.. normally via a phone call or something they say you are due a refund due to the company going out of bussiness or something stupid, and they mistakely (sometimes via getting the idiot who knows nothing about a computer, but for some reason has one) to remotely connect to them so it they can cheat it to look like too much money went into your account and you have to refund them.
I'm wondering if this is worse then something a professional friend of mine used to get (amd might still get) where people claim they can't afford to pay you for a piece of art but it's there dying wish as they are dying, or have a kid who is dying etc.. I guess this is worse cause atleast that way they only get a bit of art out of you, where the other way they get a fair bit of money too.
good thing you didn't fall for it and great to report it and post so that others can be aware of it.
I think the art commission was just a way to get my attention. They were offering to pay me up front so the scam would have taken place before I'd even completed the art. It's the same email they send everyone so they won't need numerous versions of the same artwork. That's just a front. The goal is to get you to bank the cheque, refund them on the "overpayment" and then their cheque bounces leaving you in debt and possibly in trouble with your bank for using a fraudulent cheque.
Yes, Geoff, a pity they don't try a honest day's work. May they burn in hell.
I'd say that common sense would dictate you wait for their cheque to clear first, would be very naive business practice not to. But id smell a rat with the whole cheque thing anyway. No one pays by cheque especially from another country. There are numerous safe ways to transfer funds now that are very simple to do, much easier than posting a cheque internationally then waiting for banks from different countries to clear it, bank charges would be substantially to do so. If you or anyone does need a safe method i found Wise very good. Safe, very fast transfer, best currency exchange rates and very low fees, Wise account is free
I suggested BACS or PayPal of course but they refused, which is when the red flags went up. Apparently cheques can still bounce after they've apparently cleared, which is why they use this method for scamming.
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