I almost fell for a scam today! 😞😞😞 I want to share my story in case it happens to you, beware!
A person messaged me through Instagram saying they really wanted to purchase my painting Split Personality, of course I was elated!
After a couple of exchanges, she agreed on the price and shipping costs and she asked for my email so she could send me money via PayPal, very eagerly, I noticed.
Immediately after I gave her my email, I got a text from PayPal with a code that said “do not share this with anyone” then, she texted me asking for that code! 🤔 Then, she started calling me, through the Instagram app, pressuring me for the code. I didn’t answer. This is not my first rodeo!
If I had given her that code, she would have wiped out my bank account. I can see how it might work, but don’t fall for it, pay attention to any red flags and always trust your instincts! 😉
Here’s some of the “red flags” that caught my attention, small details add up!
- She only communicated via private message through Instagram and under a generic name
- She wasn’t following my account
- Her Instagram account said she was in London, but she said her shipping address was in Texas?
- She didn’t haggle about the price or the shipping cost, which wasn’t cheap!
- She was really aggressive when asking for the code, it was urgent! (before I had time to research)
- She agreed to the price quickly, no questions asked 🤔
- She didn’t ask for additional details or photos of the painting
There’s a lot of good people in the world, but also a lot of bad guys, please be cautious my friends!
Tiffany Arp-Daleo Art 
Good that you were alert!!
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Yes, indeed! And I really wanted to share my experience so others can be vigilant! 😉
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Thank you for doing so! 🙂
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I’m glad you did too!
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Share it — not almost get scammed! 🙂
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I’m so sorry you had that experience, Tiffany, but glad that you accessed the scenario with a mindful eye 🤔🔍 It is indeed unfortunate that modern technology has generated broader opportunity for the proliferation of ill-intentioned scammers. Stay vigilant, and have a nice day 😊🌹
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Thanks, Phil! We all need to stay on top of the current scams and pass on the info to others!😉
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Yes 😉💯✅
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Thanks for the info! I’m reblogging this to make people aware X.
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Thank you so much, Christine!🙏
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😊
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Reblogged this on Mallaband-Brown and commented:
Tiffanyarpdaleo has shared her experience of someone trying to defraud her. It makes interesting anf helpful reading.
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You did the right thing Tiffany. Something similar to that happened to me a few years ago…I don’t trust anyone that asks me to give them anything…
Cheers!
FBC
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It really sucks that there are dishonest people like that out there, but I try to believe that there are more good than bad people! Have a great weekend Francisco! 😉🤗🙏
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Definitely. I too believe there are more good people than bad ones as well.
Cheers
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wow, at least you didn’t fall for it
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Yeah, that’s the LAST thing I need to deal with right now!
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You have to really watch those scammers. I’m happy you caught it. I tell the scammers that I will send them a PayPal bill and after they pay it, I will transfer the money out of my PayPal account, and hold it for 30 days. After 30 days they can send their “representative” to pick up their purchase or I will ship it to them after 30 days to make sure their payment is good. I don’t hear back from them.
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That’s a smart way to discourage the sleazy scammers, Tim!
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Wow! That’s so terrible, Tiffany! So glad you caught on and cut that scammer off! I hate that kind of stuff; the few orders I’ve had like that were fortunately w/folks I’d gotten to know, plus even with them, I went through the process of sending (ala Timothy above) a PayPal bill etc. Split Personality is an intriguing piece, so someone else, more deserving & more trustworthy will want it ♥️
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Thanks, Adan! I really almost fell for it, thank goodness my common sense kicked in! I’ve had several sales through PayPal with no problems, but usually after I built some kind of relationship with the buyer. Buyers and consumers need to be extra vigilant these days!
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It seems amazing to me there’s so many scammers! Maybe ’cause the internet allow access from beyond our local areas; well very glad you came out ok! ❤️
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I’m glad you were aware on alert to all those red flags and prevented a great loss. It is one reason I have stayed away from all of the many options for payments. I need to educate myself more first. Your information helped start that process.
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Hi Rebecca, that’s exactly why I wanted to share my experience so other artists can lookout for these red flags, we have to help each other! 🤗😉
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Lucky you had your wits about you!
✨🙏🕉🌱🌿🌳🌻💚🕊☯🐉✨
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Yes indeed, Graham, I really couldn’t afford a bank wipeout right now, or ever! It’s not easy to earn an honest living these days, the last thing we need is for crooks to take it from us!
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I`m so sorry to hear that. I am glad you understood that someone was trying to scam you. In a hurry, is the first big red flag to me in this case, like a warning – this is something you should investigate more. And the aggressiveness at the end – you wore right.
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Yes, the way she tried to rush me to give her that code was a huge sign that something was wrong, that is a scammer’s number one trick, get the info before you have a chance to research!
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Good to know Tiffany. Always trust your instincts for sure. Glad this didn’t harm you.🙂 Unfortunately, there are so many bad people out there that prey on others and people not as intelligent as you. Trying to steal in this way is dishonorable and deplorable. 😡🐼😡. Thanks for sharing!
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Yes, it makes me so angry to hear of people taking advantage of others, that’s why I wanted to share my experience, I was lucky to figure it out in time! 🙏😊
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Hi Tiffany, I’m so glad you were alert enough to stop the worst from happening. May we all, always be alert during such moments.
I have a question: When you said ‘Immediately after I gave her my email, I got a text from PayPal with a code that said “do not share this with anyone,” Is it the case that the scammer somehow generated that email or did PayPal actually send it? Thanks.
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Hi Gia! It appears that the text I got was from PayPal, actually 2 of them. I believe she was trying to log into my account saying that she forgot the password, and that code would have let her in to change my password, and access my bank account!
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Thanks for clarifying. And thank goodness she failed!
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This is an interesting piece to me. I feel like I am racing inside this colorful world. How grateful I
Am you didn’t lose the painting and your money. I am glad you know the business although I would have assumed as much but how many people fall for this. Your work is very different from one canvas to the next. Beautiful Tiffany. Be safe sweetie. Love to you and hugs too. 🤗🤗🤗❤️❤️Joni
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Thank you so much, dear Joni! Yes, I feel awful for anyone that gets scammed, it’s not fair, and it’s so easy to fall victim. We have to help and look out for each other! Wishing you a wonderful weekend my friend! 🙏🤗🥰🌞
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You are so right dear Tiffany. We don’t want to believe anyone could do such a thing. We will look after one another. You are so right that is what community is suppose to do. Stay safe, blessed and inspired. Be careful my friend. Thank you for your kind well wishes and I am sending much love to you. 🤗❤️🥰😘💝Joni
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GAAAAAHHH!!! That’s horrible!! The things people do!! I’m so glad you saw thru it and protected yourself! ♥️♥️♥️ this one – I hope someone buys it and gives it a home – fast!! 🤗👋
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Thanks, Robin! It really is a cool piece and someone GOOD out there deserves to own it! 😁😇
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Well done Tiffany. I`ve had a few myself. The trouble is you doubt everyone because of a few petty arseholes.
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Thanks, Graham, yes, that is an unfortunate truth. Live and learn, and share the knowledge! 😉
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Milli Vanneli of the art world? Say it ain’t so,yeah it does happen sad to say
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There’s dishonesty in every industry, unfortunately. I will never let that make me one of them!😉
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Yep,you the truth, we know Jacking is sadly embraced
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You are right dear Tiffany. My daughter got scam and lost her checking. I tell people, never give your social security card or bank account number to no-one. If you pay bills with your phone or computer. Ensure you have a protecting service. New tech can steal everything from us. Good evening from Michigan.
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Oh no, I’m sorry to hear your daughter was a victim, makes me so mad. I thought it was worth mentioning, even if just one person sees this and thinks twice if it happens to them, it is worth sharing. All the best to you John!
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People need reminders. Been the simple rule. Keep your social security number or bank account number to anyone. Hello dear Tiffany.
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