The NFT Artwork Scam
NFT ART SCAM WARNING
People controlling multiple hacked Facebook accounts have recently been befriending artists and offering to buy NFTs of almost any artwork that they can find for sale on the internet. Craigslist and Facebook are very popular with this type of scammer.
There are at least three levels to this scam. The first is that the scammer will try to get you to “mint” your NFT at a website that they own. The minting fee is usually .3 of an Ethereum digital coin (currently about US$600. Since they own the website, they get to keep the “minting” fee. Whether the artwork ever gets minted into an NFT is another question.
Of course, they offer to buy the resulting NFT at a much higher price. 7-8 Ethereum coins is a typical offer.
Part two of the scam is that they will ask for your cell phone number. This is problematic. If the person turns out to be a scammer, they can use your phone number to harass you and others, impersonate you, and steal from you.
The third part of the scam is the Google Voice Verification Code Scam.
This scam occurs when scammers connect a Google Voice phone number that they control to your cell phone number. All they need is the 6 digit unique verification code from your phone. They will try almost any subterfuge to get you to cough it up. With this code, scammers can forward all calls and texts made to your phone to a phone number that they control. Since account info is stored on phones and multi-factor authentication is typically tied to a cell phone number, this can lead to serious financial consequences.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
1. Never give anyone a 6-digit code that they claim is sent to your phone. For starters, there is no reason for anyone to ask for it. Also, anyone who does ask for this code has tipped their hand that they intend on scamming you. This applies to Android-based phones only.
2. Never give your cell phone number to strangers you have met on the internet. Just use your imagination to understand why.
3. If you find yourself communicating with a scammer through Facebook, the best thing to do is to permanently block their account. Otherwise, they will likely continue to hassle you and keep asking for your 6-digit code.
4. If you want to mint NFTs, use an established NFT marketplace like the one maintained by Coinbase.com.
5. If you are in the USA and find yourself or your company to be the victim of a cyber attack, we can help you recover quickly. Just call our 24 hour support line at (734) 971-1210 and follow the prompts to get an immediate response. You may also send a service request at our website www.domsys.com.