What are common warning signs of a scam when someone contacts me about buying my art?

Major red flags include: insisting on using only Zelle or other payment methods outside your website, refusing to use your secure website payment system, and pushing back hard when you direct them to purchase through your site. Legitimate buyers will understand that a secure website protects both parties. If someone says things like ‘I only use Zelle’ and refuses alternatives, or wants to take the transaction off your website, it’s almost certainly a scam. Always direct potential buyers to your website for payment—anyone who strongly resists this is likely trying to scam you.

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Asked by an artist who received a suspicious purchase inquiry · Answered by Indra · Office Hours · 2026-06-11