A client recently emailed me the following chilling message.  Be very careful when approached via the Internet about purchases.  Use common sense.  If it feels funny, it's probably a scam.

 

Last week I received a message that someone wanted to connect with me thru the website. I received an email from someone called Susan.  She wanted to buy 3 of my paintings. I quoted a price and she agreed on all three paintings but was in the midst of moving from Alabama to Johannesburg, So Africa.  She said her moving company would pick up the paintings and ship them with the rest of her belongings.  I agreed.

 

Yesterday I received her  cashiers check for double the amount I quoted. Wow--maybe I should have charged more? There was no note so I assumed it was for the paintings but why so much??

 

Then I received another email telling me to expect a check but that her husband had added on extra for the shipping.  I was asked to give the extra $3000.00 to the shipping people when they came to my house for pick-up. That's when our antennae went up. This morning I took the check to the bank and explained the situation.  After hearing my story, they too decided that the check was not legit. However, this pick-up man knows my address and would he come to my house for the $3000.00?  At this point, Susan is not aware that I had already received the check and is still waiting for me to inform her of its delivery, before she sends the shippers. I don't want that!!