New Scammers in Circulation

Have you ever been contacted out of the blue by a scammer?

I have, many times. The most recent was yesterday.

Scammers are getting more sophisticated. They use information that's available online and turn it into emails. Often, they use people who are real and impersonating them by using their personal information.

I received an email yesterday evening by a scammer pretending to be a senior commissioning editor at Bloomsbury Plc. in London. I checked the name and the person is real and working for the company so I don't want to mention the name.

I did the time zone math, and nobody in their right mind would email at ten to midnight about a publishing deal. Not even the most keen editor.

At first, I couldn't believe what I was reading. The next second my world came crashing down as the gushing disappointment set in.

The reality was right there. Another scammer, was trying to impersonate a publishing company that I greatly admire.

I'm sure many of you know that Bloomsbury is one of the big publishing houses that most authors can only dream of getting a publishing deal from.

You contact them, not the other way around.

That's how the publishing industry works.

As a querying author, my manuscript is out there as I look for a legitimate publishing deal. I've received four - all bogus deals and many scam emails from people pretending to be authors that I look up to.

Now, I've got skin on my nose, and if something is too good to be true, I question it.

The email I received had these markers

1. Sounded like a robot using my whole name, and their full title (twice!)

2. Over the top praise for my book, and cringe language.

3. Over-explaining the point in five paragraphs where one would do the job.

4. Over-doing the end of the email with several reminders of who they are (impersonating). Photo, website, email and huge name in fancy writing.

5. The email was fake (No, I did not reply). Using [email protected]

6. No one at Bloomsbury uses aol.com - it's an outdated webmail server if I recall correctly.

If you come across an email like this out of the blue, do not respond. This is a scam, no matter how much you want it to be true.

I've done two things since receiving the scam email. I've contacted "Writer Beware," so they can reach more authors.

I also emailed the person whose details was used as a courtesy. They may never email me back, but at least I know I've done my part.

I don't want any authors getting scammed.

Be safe out there.

My name is Lizzy. I'm a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

If you like reading my posts, then please follow me.

For more about me: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

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Here are a few links to my articles:

Looking for a Change?

https://medium.com/activated-thinker/looking-for-a-change-f391e85abbd7

A Search for Identity

https://medium.com/beyond-lines/a-search-for-identity-893df7c970c2

Are You Searching for Peace?

https://medium.com/illumination/are-you-searching-for-peace-cd54d76231c8

Are You Dealing With Burnout?

https://medium.com/illumination/are-you-dealing-with-burnout-374f774141b4