Writers - Beware of Scammers

Have you ever been a victim of a scammer?

I have, several times and it's not a nice feeling.

I was made aware today of a new scamming technique by a company called "WritersBeware" that I subscribe to. The scam has surfaced recently, which allegedly has come from Nigeria. 

I don't know if the origin of this scam is true, but what I do know is that I have myself received three scam emails in the last two days.

Yes, you read correctly. Three scammer emails. And they all sound the same.

This is what the new scammer scheme is trying to do:

A scammer emailer has researched your name and books / articles / products in advance. They will use your words from product descriptions and twist them round back to your in their email.

1. They say how much they love your work. Write some real but over the top emotive language about how your writing made them feel x y or z about it.

2. I can do it for you. This is where they try and tell you how they will make you a millionaire by increasing sales blah, blah, blah.

3. Just pay my (Nigerian) Assistant - Here the scammer tries to connect you with a third party person to handle the details.

4. Give me Your KDP Account - This is where they try and ask for access to your Amazon books where they will ultimately take control of your products.

I never responded to the three recent scam emails, but I've saved them to remind me of the buzz words and clear Chat GPT wording in the emails, just in case.

The scam emails came from fake gmail accounts and when I googled them, nothing came up. 

The names who tried to scam me are:

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

DO NOT ENGAGE WITH THESE PEOPLE.

A real marketer would have thousands of followers and some kind of marketing spiel online. 

There are more scammers out there

I have been speaking to several "authors," who I look up to on social media platforms. All proved to be scammers impersonating people they know I admire. These people are smart and they research you in advance. 

It hurt because I felt betrayed.

Then I felt violated because they tried to scam me.

Then I felt angry. I don't often get angry but on all four occasions I felt so angry I had to go for a run. (My waistline thanked me but that's not the point.)

I was almost scammed! I do not earn much as a teacher. I'm also an MFA student. I've worked hard for every cent that I earn. If a scammer was to take that from me, I would be heart-broken and devastated.

Writers - you do not deserve this.

If you are approached / befriended on social media by someone who tries to get you to sign up to something. DO NOT AGREE.

As writers, we are all online. Our names and usernames are visible to anyone on platforms. Part of being a writer is to have our work published and we want to be noticed and read.

Remember. Not every person out there is sincere.

As writers, we have to develop thick skin. Not only do we receive comments on our writing but we are targets for fake scammers.

Please take care out there and do not fall for these scammers.

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

Support your fellow writer:

https://ko-fi.com/elizabe69245484