Comprehensive Guide: Protecting Artists from NFT and Commission Scams

Common Scam Types

1. Unsolicited NFT purchase offers
   
   
   
   • Scammers pose as enthusiastic buyers interested in purchasing your art as NFTs.
   
   
   • They may claim to be investors or collectors looking for new talent.
   
   
   • Often, they'll pressure you to create an NFT quickly or use a specific platform.
   
   
   • The end goal is usually to steal your artwork or financial information.
   
   
   
   


2. Fake commission requests
   
   
   
   • Scammers pretend to be clients interested in commissioning custom artwork.
   
   
   • They might send elaborate project descriptions and agree to your rates easily.
   
   
   • The scam often involves fake payment confirmations or requests for you to pay fees upfront.
   
   
   • They may also try to gather personal information under the guise of contract details.
   
   
   
   


3. Phishing attempts for personal information
   
   
   
   • These scams aim to collect your personal or financial data.
   
   
   • They might pose as art platforms, galleries, or even tax authorities.
   
   
   • Scammers often create urgency, claiming your account needs verification or you're owed a refund.
   
   
   • The goal is to trick you into providing sensitive information like passwords or bank details.
   
   
   
   


4. Copyright infringement scams
   
   
   
   • Scammers may falsely claim you've infringed on someone's copyright.
   
   
   • They might threaten legal action unless you pay a settlement fee.
   
   
   • Sometimes, they pose as legal representatives or copyright protection agencies.
   
   
   
   


5. Advance fee scams
   
   
   
   • These involve promises of large sums of money in exchange for an upfront fee.
   
   
   • Scammers might claim to be organizing a high-profile art show or auction.
   
   
   • They ask for fees for entry, shipping, or insurance, but the event doesn't exist.
   
   
   
   

Red Flags to Watch For

1. Overly enthusiastic praise from strangers
   
   
   
   • Be wary of messages that start with excessive compliments about your work, especially if they seem generic or could apply to any artist.
   
   
   • Example: "Your art is truly breathtaking and unique! I've never seen anything like it before!"
   
   
   • Genuine buyers usually reference specific aspects of your work they appreciate.
   
   
   
   


2. Pressure to act quickly
   
   
   
   • Scammers often create a false sense of urgency to prevent you from thinking critically about the offer.
   
   
   • Watch for phrases like "limited time offer" or "I need this immediately."
   
   
   • Example: "I need to buy this NFT right now before someone else does!"
   
   
   • Legitimate opportunities rarely disappear in a matter of hours or days.
   
   
   
   


3. Requests for personal or financial information
   
   
   
   • Legitimate buyers won't ask for sensitive information via direct messages or emails.
   
   
   • Be cautious if someone asks for your bank details, social security number, or password.
   
   
   • Example: "To process the payment, I just need your bank account number and routing information."
   
   
   • Remember, payment platforms should handle financial transactions securely without you needing to share details directly.
   
   
   
   


4. Offers that seem too good to be true
   
   
   
   • If an offer seems unrealistically generous, it probably is.
   
   
   • Be skeptical of buyers offering much more than your usual rates or current market prices.
   
   
   • Example: "I'm willing to pay $10,000 for your NFT right now, no questions asked!"
   
   
   • Research current market rates for similar artworks to gauge what's reasonable.
   
   
   
   


5. Unusual payment methods
   
   
   
   • Be cautious of requests to use unconventional payment platforms or cryptocurrencies you're not familiar with.
   
   
   • Example: "I can only pay you through this specific crypto wallet. Can you set one up?"
   
   
   • Stick to well-known, reputable payment methods and platforms.
   
   
   
   


6. Inconsistent or vague communication
   
   
   
   • Pay attention to messages that lack specific details about your work or contain inconsistencies.
   
   
   • Example: A buyer who claims to love your work but can't name any specific pieces.
   
   
   • Genuine buyers typically ask informed questions about your art or process.
   
   
   
   


7. Unsolicited collaboration or investment opportunities
   
   
   
   • Be wary of strangers offering partnerships or investment deals out of the blue.
   
   
   • Example: "I have a great investment opportunity for artists like you. Want to hear more?"
   
   
   • Legitimate business opportunities usually come through established channels or introductions.
   
   
   
   


8. Requests to communicate off-platform
   
   
   
   • Scammers often try to move conversations to less secure platforms where there's no oversight.
   
   
   • Be cautious if someone insists on using a specific messaging app or email.
   
   
   • Example: "Let's continue this conversation on WhatsApp. What's your number?"
   
   
   • Stick to communication through official platforms for better protection.
   
   
   
   

How to Verify Legitimacy

1. Research the buyer's profile and history
   
   
   
   • Look for an established online presence (website, social media, art platform profiles).
   
   
   • Check for reviews or feedback from other artists.
   
   
   • Verify their identity through professional networks or art communities.
   
   
   • Be cautious of newly created accounts or those with limited activity.
   
   
   
   


2. Use official platforms for transactions
   
   
   
   • Stick to reputable art marketplaces and NFT platforms.
   
   
   • These platforms often have built-in protections and dispute resolution processes.
   
   
   • Be wary of deals that insist on bypassing official channels.
   
   
   
   


3. Verify payment before delivering work
   
   
   
   • Use secure payment methods that confirm funds before releasing artwork.
   
   
   • Be cautious of unusual payment methods or requests to use unfamiliar platforms.
   
   
   • For large transactions, consider using an escrow service.
   
   
   
   


4. Request a video call or verified social media interaction
   
   
   
   • A legitimate buyer should be willing to have a brief video call or interact via verified social media.
   
   
   • This can help confirm their identity and seriousness about the purchase.
   
   
   
   


5. Check digital signatures and blockchain records for NFTs
   
   
   
   • For NFT transactions, verify the buyer's wallet address and transaction history.
   
   
   • Use blockchain explorers to check the legitimacy of cryptocurrency transactions.
   
   
   
   


6. Seek second opinions
   
   
   
   • If unsure, consult with other artists or professionals in the field.
   
   
   • Many art communities have forums or groups where you can ask for advice.
   
   
   
   

Best Practices for Online Safety

1. Use strong, unique passwords for each account
   
   
   
   • Create complex passwords using a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
   
   
   • Use a different password for each of your accounts.
   
   
   • Consider using a reputable password manager to securely store and generate passwords.
   
   
   
   


2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
   
   
   
   • Set up 2FA on all platforms that offer it, especially for email and financial accounts.
   
   
   • Use authenticator apps rather than SMS for 2FA when possible, as they're more secure.
   
   
   
   


3. Be cautious about sharing personal information
   
   
   
   • Only provide necessary information through secure, official channels.
   
   
   • Be wary of requests for sensitive data via email or direct messages.
   
   
   • If in doubt, contact the company or platform directly through their official website.
   
   
   
   


4. Regularly update your software and devices
   
   
   
   • Keep your operating system, browsers, and apps up to date.
   
   
   • These updates often include important security patches.
   
   
   
   


5. Use secure, private internet connections
   
   
   
   • Avoid conducting business or accessing sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi.
   
   
   • Consider using a VPN for an extra layer of security when working remotely.
   
   
   
   


6. Implement email safety measures
   
   
   
   • Be cautious of unexpected attachments or links, even from known contacts.
   
   
   • Use email filters to reduce spam and potentially malicious messages.
   
   
   • Consider using a separate email address for art-related business.
   
   
   
   


7. Regularly monitor your accounts and credit report
   
   
   
   • Check your bank and payment platform statements regularly for unusual activity.
   
   
   • Consider setting up alerts for large transactions.
   
   
   • Monitor your credit report for any unexpected changes or new accounts.
   
   
   
   


8. Educate yourself about current scam tactics
   
   
   
   • Stay informed about the latest scam techniques targeting artists.
   
   
   • Follow reputable cybersecurity blogs or art community forums for updates.
   
   
   
   

Reporting Scams

1. Document suspicious interactions
   
   
   
   • Save all communication with the suspected scammer (emails, messages, screenshots).
   
   
   • Note dates, times, and any other relevant details.
   
   
   • This information can be crucial for investigations.
   
   
   
   


2. Report to the platform where the interaction occurred
   
   
   
   • Most online platforms have specific procedures for reporting scams or suspicious activity.
   
   
   • Look for "Report" buttons or contact customer support.
   
   
   • Provide as much detail as possible in your report.
   
   
   
   


3. Contact local cybercrime authorities
   
   
   
   • In the US, report to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
   
   
   • In the UK, use the Action Fraud website.
   
   
   • Other countries have similar cybercrime reporting centers.
   
   
   
   


4. Alert your bank or payment provider
   
   
   
   • If you've shared financial information or made any payments, contact your bank immediately.
   
   
   • They can help secure your account and possibly recover funds.
   
   
   
   


5. Inform relevant art communities
   
   
   
   • Share your experience (without personal details) in art forums or groups.
   
   
   • This can help warn other artists about current scam tactics.
   
   
   
   


6. Consider legal counsel
   
   
   
   • For significant financial losses or identity theft, consult with a lawyer specializing in cybercrime.