NEW ART SCAM - “ART HISTORY CHANNEL”

[Pub Wench]

“The Art History Channel is currently seeking new artists for our new upcoming online art gallery and our Cable TV Network"

 That’s how the email will read when you get it.  All looks authentic including their website and address.  The Art History Channel has no association with the History Channel.They are art scammers. Their only goal is to get funds out of your account.

No fees are indicated on their ad, email or applications.  Once you fill out the application, this company will actually find out if your email is connected to a PayPal account. They will do this on their own without your knowledge or any information from you other than your email address. Without your authorization they will invoice YOUR PAYPAL ACCOUNT $50.    The only notice you’ll get on this charge is from PayPal.  The Art History Channel will  send you a congratulatory email of acceptance as a member of the Art History Channel WITH STILL NO MENTION OR EXPLANATION that they have charged your account.
 

PayPal will not debit your account without your authorization so just cancel their invoice. Paypal will write the scammer and tell them their invoice was not approved.  Write the Art History Channel and decline their ‘membership.’

The FTC requires that all solicitors make full disclosure of any fees or cost in their online or direct marketing ads. That’s why you will always see - usually in the bottom text- what the cost and fees are for participation in any legitimate online art gallery.

Don’t fall for it. “The Art History Channel’ is the lowest denominator of art scammers. The Art History Channel is betting on the fact that you will just approve their charges without a thought. Their only quest is to steal your money.

[peggrady]

Yes, I got all happy when accepted and then found it funny that they loved my work and wanted five images but didn't indicate which five they wanted. Two seconds later I got the email from PayPal telling me that Art History Channel would like to be paid. There ought to be a special place in hell for jerks likes this.

[Pub Wench]

The thing that I found un-nerving was that I hadn't even told them I had PayPal. No discussion of fees or cost.  They actually go behind your back and find out if you have PayPal via your email address.  That's really freaky stuff.

BTW- welcome to the Challenge, Peg.   We're just getting back and rolling post the Holiday...and our first theme is CBS Sun Art on January 8th.  Hope you do it with us. As of last weekend  we've had 15 airings of our 2010 Challenge Suns on Sunday Morning. -(Cheryl Maylouff's sun aired Christmas weekend) Cool huh?  CBS likes us.

[ArtisticRhythms]

Yikes!...Is there a legitimate art history channel?

[Pub Wench]

They're just another subscription art gallery Sarah...but the way they're attempting to get members is totally an ART SCAM and by all definition illegal. You can't arbitrarily access people's online finances and send bills. lol  Whom ever came up with that scheme for them can't be to bright.

And I seriously doubt they have any televised channel connected to their website, but their inference is that they're connected to History Channel. Absolutely not the case.

 Using the name 'Art History Channel' is totally legal' . By simply putting the word 'art' on the front of it they're safe from copyright infringement, can leach off The History Channel's online traffic and betting on the fact that artists are to stupid to figure  it out. Insult added to injury. 
It's no different than so many new websites that popped up and did a twist on The Artist Challenge when we got a top ranking.  (Remember the 'The Artist Challenge II amongst many others? All traffic leaches !)

[Pub Wench]

Oooooh and Peg. I got a letter that was quite specific to my work!  They stated exactly which painting they wanted in my gallery by name.  I wrote them back and told them that any  publication of my work online or in print would result in copyright infringement, fines and lawsuit.  I made sure they know-" I'm watching  you morons!!!"  lol