We receive e-mails from time to time from artists who have fallen victim to online art scams. For many artists, especially those who are new to the Internet, the promises offered by these carefully crafted schemes prove too irresistable to dismiss. They find themselves sharing sensitive information (such as credit card numbers), downloading spyware or adware, or even shipping artwork overseas to people who have no intention of paying for it.

The only way to prevent this from happening in the future is to get the word out about the many schemes in play today. Fortunately, there is a website out there, fighting the good fight: Art Scams offers 13 excellent tips. Visit the site for the full details on each:

1. Stay informed by keeping abreast of consumer fraud trends.
2. Beware of phony emails disguised as legitimate businesses.
3. Beware of emails from a Nigerian or other foreign government official requesting assistance in the transfer of excess funds from a foreign country into your bank account.
4. Safeguard your online transactions to help prevent identity theft or unauthorized credit card charges.
5. Protect your computer from viruses, spyware, adware, worms, trojans, or other malware.
6. Don't open spam. Delete it unread.
7. If you suspect fraud or are a victim of fraud, take action.
8. Be skeptical... If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
9. Never ship your artwork to someone without making sure the payment has cleared.
10. Beware if you have been overpaid for an item you are selling by cashier's check or postal money order and have been instructed to return the overpayment amount to the buyer or other party.
11. Don't deal with persons who insist it is "urgent" or those who claim that they need the item in a hurry (perhaps for a gift).
12. Perform due diligence if a gallery wants to exhibit your work, or a company wants to license your art.
13. Beware of vanity galleries and publishers who charge artists to have their work included in a publication.