Yo, California Artists! Don’t Get Scammed. Seriously

Another week. And another California artist getting totally ripped off. Is your inbox jam-packed with those “too good to be true” offers? In sunny SoCal, the art scene is always buzzing with creativity. But that good vibe also brings weird shadows. We’re talking art scams – the crummy, always-changing tricks that target artists selling online or taking commissions. These aren’t just little pains; they hit your wallet hard.

Don’t let your passion turn into a financial mess. Here’s how to beat these jerks.

Be Smart About NFT Offers & platform Demands

The NFT world? It feels like the Wild West. And scammers? They love it. You probably get messages: someone wants your art, wants to NFT it, promises insane money. Right? Stop. Look closer.

Often, these messages have truly awful English. Their profiles? Maybe five or six generic photos. Huge red flags. Because a real buyer, especially for something big like your art, will usually be cool with your favorite marketplace, like OpenSea.

Scammers, however, always insist you use their specific site. They demand you link up your crypto wallet right there. Think about why. Maybe a sketchy deal with that site for referral fees. Or worse: linking your wallet could expose you to straight-up fraud. They might later ask for “payment info” that just drains your funds. No OpenSea? They’re playing games with you.

And here’s a local tip: someone claims “from the US” but won’t say which state? Super suspicious. Most Californians just say “I’m from California.”

Always Sign Your Work. And Be Smart About how you sign it

A client wants a commission, but without your signature. Sounds innocent enough, right? Wrong. This classic scam gets talented artists – like you – to create awesome stuff. Then they just remove your mark. And pass it off as theirs. Or as some cheaper, less-skilled artist’s piece.

Basically, they outsource the commission to you. Slap their name on it. Collect the full price. Such a bold lie.

Sign your work, always. Even with your signature, be careful. Using a pencil for your autograph? Gone. Scammers can easily erase it before claiming the piece as their own. Pick a permanent medium. One that stays.

Get Paid Upfront. Seriously

Hours poured into a commission. Your soul in it. You wait till it’s perfect. Deliver. And the check? Never shows. The client might totally block you online. Or invent a sad story. “My partner and I broke up over Valentine’s Day,” they might say. “I can’t even look at the portrait. Keep it.” Awful, right? Happens all the time.

Good intentions don’t pay your rent. The risk of no payment is simply too high when you wait until it’s all done.

Demand a big deposit or full payment for commissions. Upfront. Don’t even touch your brush until that money legally clears. Be firm. It’s not being greedy. It’s smart.

Don’t Click Weird Links in Emails or Messages. Ever

Scrolling Instagram or YouTube. And boom! A message pops up: “Your account is in violation. Click here or it will be shut down!” Or maybe: “Someone posted terrible comments about you! Click here to see them.” Phishing. Plain and simple.

Click that link? You’ll likely land on a fake login page. Steals your username. Your password. Sometimes, they even ask for sensitive bank details or personal ID numbers.

Do not click these links. Ever. Report the message and the sender right away. Then delete it. Your account security. Your identity. They’re both on the line.

Look Closely at Their Email Address and Grammar

Real companies, even the giant tech ones, talk like pros. Correct grammar. Punctuation. A clear, official tone. They don’t email from “facebook@gmail.com.” That’s a huge clue.

And if an email claims it’s from a big platform but feels off – clumsy sentences, weird capitalization, or an unrecognizable sender? It’s probably a scam. A real company’s email address matches its brand perfectly.

But when in doubt? Fire up Google. Type in the suspicious email’s subject or a unique phrase. See if others spotted it as a scam. A little detective work goes a long way.

Get a “No Refund” Policy in Writing

You just finished a portrait. A masterpiece, truly. But the client looks. “Nah,” they say. “Don’t like it. Want my money back.” Even after seeing and approving all your progress photos. What a headache. Some people even claim the final, physical art doesn’t “look like” the digital photos they approved.

To avoid this particular nightmare, protect yourself with a clear policy from the start.

Put a “no refund” policy in writing. Before any work begins. Get your client to acknowledge it. This isn’t about being difficult. It’s about setting boundaries. And valuing your time and creative effort. Because they picked you based on your style and quality.

Be Careful with Installment Payments

In this wild economy, installment payment offers might seem great for closing a sale. But be super careful. It’s way too common: clients make an initial payment, get the art, then totally ghost you. They might cancel their credit cards. Or just block all communication. Leaves you with unpaid balances.

If you’re taking installment payments, only do it with clients you absolutely trust. Think about their past. Their local references. Their general reliability. Otherwise, full payment is usually way safer.

The art world is a cool place for creating stuff. But it’s crucial to stay sharp. Protecting your work. And your money. That’s part of being a smart, successful artist.

FAQs

Q: How can I tell if an NFT offer is a scam?

A: Bad grammar. Sparse sender profile. Insistence on their platform – not established ones like OpenSea. All big red flags. Real buyers? Usually flexible.

Q: Why ask for upfront payment for commissions?

A: A bunch of artists lost money. They finished work. Client vanished. Or blocked them. Or invented excuses not to pay after getting the art. Upfront payment. It just makes sure you get paid for your time. And your effort. It’s an essential part of stopping fraud.

Q: What if I get a message saying my social media account violated rules and asks me to click a link?

A: No! Do not click that link. Ever! It’s phishing. They want your login info. Report the message fast. Delete it. Seriously. Never ever share passwords or personal info through links like that.