How do I recognize and avoid scams targeting artists online?

Watch for these red flags: First, any major institution or gallery will use a custom email domain, not Gmail or other free email services. If you receive an invitation from a museum or gallery using ‘@gmail.com’, that’s an immediate warning sign. Second, be wary of unsolicited offers that sound too good to be true — free residencies with all expenses paid, NFT opportunities, or buyers wanting to pay via PayPal or Zelle instead of through your website. The only green flag in a purchase inquiry is when someone agrees to complete their order through your website. If they avoid your website for any reason, stop responding. Anything involving NFTs, alternative payment methods, or requests to download something should be treated as suspicious. When in doubt, don’t engage.

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Asked by an artist reporting a scam experience · Answered by Indra · Office Hours · 2026-06-16