How can I tell if a contact form inquiry about purchasing my art is a scam?

Be cautious of inquiries that try to move you away from your established sales process. If someone contacts you saying they want to ‘explore the possibility of purchasing’ when your website already has clear prices, a cart, and a checkout system, that’s a red flag. Legitimate buyers can simply browse and purchase directly. Scammers understand that your website is a secure payment environment, so they try to conduct transactions outside of it where it’s easier to defraud you. Other warning signs include excessive flattery, vague language, requests to communicate via personal email or messaging apps, and sob stories or urgent scenarios (anniversaries, illnesses, etc.). Always verify contact information independently—if they claim to be a known artist or professional, check their official website or social media for matching email addresses. When in doubt, direct them back to your website’s normal purchasing process. Remember: if they found your contact form, they already navigated your galleries and saw your prices and buying options.

---

Asked by a watercolor artist receiving a suspicious inquiry · Answered by Indra · art-marketing-101 · 2026-07-10