7 Warning Signs of Scams When Buying Designer Silk Tapestries on Chairish

Fake Designer Attribution: Be wary of tapestries misrepresented as designer pieces when they are not. Scammers may forge labels or claim a tapestry is from a renowned designer without proof. Always research the designer and the tapestry's provenance. If a seller insists on an item's authenticity but cannot provide verifiable documentation, consider it a major red flag.

Stolen High-End Gallery Photos: Scammers may use professional photographs of genuine, high-value tapestries stolen from reputable galleries or auction sites. These images are used to create fake listings. Always try to perform a reverse image search on the provided photos to see if they appear elsewhere online. If the photos look too perfect or are inconsistent with the seller's other listings, be suspicious.

Vintage vs. Reproduction Bait: Sellers might advertise a tapestry as a genuine antique when it is, in fact, a modern reproduction. Distinguishing between vintage and reproduction can be difficult, but look for signs of age, wear patterns consistent with genuine use, and the quality of materials. If the price seems too good to be true for a genuine antique, it likely is.

Unreported Structural Damage: A seller might fail to disclose significant damage, such as tears, fading, or structural weaknesses in the tapestry. Thoroughly examine all provided images, and if possible, request additional close-up photos of any areas that seem questionable. A seller's reluctance to provide detailed condition reports is a warning sign.

The 'Payment via Check' Trap: Be extremely cautious if a seller requests payment via check, especially for high-value items. This is a common tactic used to delay or avoid legitimate transactions, and checks can bounce or be fraudulent. Chairish facilitates secure payments, and using their platform protects both buyers and sellers.

Account Takeover via Phish: Be vigilant against phishing attempts that could lead to account takeover. Scammers may send fake emails or messages impersonating Chairish to trick you into revealing your login credentials or payment information. Always verify the sender's email address and never click on suspicious links. Log in directly to your Chairish account to manage your transactions.

Insurance Claim Extortion: This scam involves a seller claiming a tapestry was damaged during shipping and demanding additional payment outside of Chairish's platform to resolve an 'insurance claim.' This is a fraudulent attempt to extort more money. All shipping and insurance claims should be handled directly through Chairish's official channels.