Art Thieves

It’s the time of year for generosity and good cheer, so I am reluctant to put this negativity into your inbox. However, there is a funny little twist in it. 

Artists with websites are vulnerable to a scam that goes something like this…a collector writes that he is interested in buying a painting. His grammar is a little off, but he often flatters the artist and offers an immediate sale. He’s not picky about the art - it seems any painting will do. He loves them all! He wants to surprise his wife with this purchase (he saw her looking at the website and she LOVES the art too)

He can’t use PayPal as she handles their account. He is going to send a check overnight and have his shipper to come pick up the art later. He will write and send the check from his business account, and he will add an additional amount which he asks that the artist send immediately to the pick-up agent to cover his services. He will ask the artist to promptly write a check for the overage to the shipper. It will take a week or so for the artist to find out that the scammer’s check is bad, and by this time the thief will have cashed the artist’s check. There will not be a pick up. He doesn’t want a painting. The artist just lost a lot of money, and he/she will most likely be hit with fees from their bank for the bad check they deposited. 

Apparently, the scam works often enough that it continues. I’m happy to say I never fell for it, but I do have a lot of fun with it. I figure that maybe if I waste their time and money, they’ll think twice about victimizing the next artist? I don’t know, maybe I just have a mean streak.

So I play along. They send the check. This time, the price of the agreed upon painting was $1000. Notice how much they’re hoping to steal…

I write back with sincere apologies that the check has been ruined. (HOW the check gets ruined is the fun part) I say that I understand if they don’t want to send another…but they ALWAYS agree to send another. They’re so close to getting what they want!! This time I told them that I placed the check on my kitchen table where my three year old was coloring, and look what happened!!

There are a number of ways the checks can be ruined. In the past, my story was that I opened the envelope by the mailbox, and a gust of wind carried the check into the path of the nearby lawnmower. I always send a photo. I wish I had saved that one. Or, my three year old (that damn kid!) spilled his chocolate milk on it.

Eventually, they catch on. At that point, I lecture them about preying on artists, or anyone for that matter. I suggest they find their true purpose and do good work. They don’t usually answer.

Soon, I’ll receive another check for $4980.56. What shall I do with this one? Send me your ideas!