The First Clue to an Email Scam May Be the Address - Writer Beware (R)

It's been a long day.

The last stop Panzer made today was at the Writer Beware (R) site.

 

Victoria Strauss' post contains several examples of fake email addresses scammers use. 

 

Panzer says, "Some the stuff in her post wouldn't fool a newborn kitten."

 

Note: This is a very long post. You probably shouldn't bring anything to snack on. You don't want to make a mess with your food when you start laughing while you're eating.

 

To read the post tootle over to Email Scam 

Watch Out for This Scam Impersonating Editors at Major Publishing Houses - Writer Beware(R)

Be prepared. Read the examples.

Here's an interesting post Panzer found at the Writer Beware (R) site.

 

Victoria Strauss' post about impersonation scams includes examples of the emails sent to authors. In the emails scammers claim to be editors or agents interested in the author's work.

 

Panzer says, "AI-generated?"

 

Note:This is a very, very long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Impersonating Editors 

Protecting Intellectual Property: What Writers Need to Know About Copyright - Writer Beware (R)

So much information.

In the Catosphere today Panzer's first stop was at the Writer Beware (R) site. With just a little digging in the posts there he found one about copyright and intellectual property.

 

Victoria Strauss' post covers copyright information every (U.S.) author needs to know. There's also information about copyright scams and myths included. The post contains a list of resources at the end.

 

Panzer says, "Remember: The information in the post is for authors in the U.S."

 

Note: This is a long, long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on.

 

To read the post tootle over to Intellectual Property

Two to Avoid: Book Order Scams and Fake Reviews - Writer Beware (R)

She does a lot of work for writers.

Panzer found a new post at the Writer Beware (R) site. This one is about two scams writers need to watch out for.

 

Victoria Strauss explains the fake big book order scam and the fake reviews scam. Both will cost you a lot of money if your respond to them. There are several samples of the scammers come-ons included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "Victoria Strauss always investigates the scams and tells you about them, so you're prepared."

 

Note: This is a long-medium post. Bring a cup of tea and three chocolate chip cookies (biscuits) to snack on.

To read the post tootle over to Two Scamswrit

Why Cheap Promo is No Bargain: One Unusually Prolific Example - Writer Beware (R)

Investigate before you give somebody your money.

Today, Panzer stopped in at the Writer Beware (R) site. With a little digging in the posts he found one about cheap promotion sites for books.

 

Writer Beware (R) site owner Victoria Strausss begins the post by showing how a book promo site is sending letters supposedly from a well known writer about what a great promo site it is for writers. The post then digs into who owns the promo site (and a multitude of others) and what happens once they get your money.

 

Panzer says, "The end of the post has a checklist of things to do before you give your money to any promotion site."

 

Note: Because Victoria Strauss goes into details about all of her investigations into the promo site, this is a very long post. You'll need to decide what you want to bring to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Writer Beware (R)

Six Email (and Snail Mail) Web Scams to Avoid - Nate Hoffelder Blog

My work is finished for today.

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere before he started home, when he decided to stop at Nate Hoffelder's blog. With no digging at all in the posts he found one about scams you need to be aware of.

In his post Nate Hoffelder lists six scams with samples. He explains the scams and how they work.

Panzer says, "This little kitty knew about most of these, but there were a couple he hadn't seen before."

Note: This is a longish post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin to snack on while you read.

To read the post tootle over to Six Scams to Avoid

Amazon Is Taking Scammers' Money to Serve Ads for AI-Generated Books on Kindle Lock Screens - Futurism

You need to read the post.

Panzer found an interesting post about Amazon Lock ads at the Futurism site.

 

In the post Frank Landymore explains about the relationship Amazon has with the sellers/scammers of AI-generated books. Through the use of Amazon Kindle Lock Screen Ads the scammers generated page reads on Kindle Unlimited, which they then get paid for. Included in the post are links to previous posts with more information about scammers.

 

Panzer says, "I didn't know about any of this until now."

 

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a chocolate chip cookie (biscuit) to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Amazon

Guest Post: How a Book Really Becomes a Movie - Writer Beware(R)

Read it. It's important information.

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Writer Beware(R) site. There our traveling, inquisitive kitty found a post about the Book-to-Movie scams going around.

 

Before Jeanne Vellette Bowerman's guest post, Victoria Strauss gives an introduction about the current prevalence of these scams. Immediately after the introduction, Jeanne Vellette Bowerman begins with a list of things authors don't need to do or buy to get their books considered to be made into a movie.  These all involve money going from the author to the scammers. There follows an explanation of the Books-to-Movie parts. The post includes links to more information.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty thinks this should be required reading for every author."

 

Note: This is a long post because it covers so much information. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Book to Movie

Two New Solicitation Bewares: DiscoverPublishers.com and Reseller Ventures - Writers Beware(R)

Watch out for these guys!

As Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today, the Panzermobile was suddenly shaken by booing and hissing outside. Following all the noise, took our brave kitty boy to the Writer Beware(R) site. There he found a post about two online companies writers need to ignore.

 

 In her post Victoria Strauss documents her investigations of two online companies, DiscoverPublishers.com and Reseller Ventures, soliciting writers about their books through emails. She has determined both are scams. Her investigation of both are very thorough, so you should read the details yourself.

Panzer says, "If you hear from either of these guys, turn around and run away as fast as you can."

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of hot cocoa and a muffin to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Solicitations

Amazon Sues Scammers Targeting Authors - Publishers Weekly

As Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere he heard clapping and cheering outside the Panzermobile. Following all the noise took him to the Publishers Weekly site. There our intrepid kitty traveler found a post about Amazon was causing the hoopla.

 

Not smart at all.

According to Andrew Albanese's post, last month Amazon filed a lawsuit against a group which scams authors into believing they're dealing with Amazon's websites and representatives. The victims think they're paying Amazon for publishing services, but, instead, they get either nothing for their money or worthless junk..

Panzer says, "The scammers should know you don't mess with Amazon."

Note: This is a short medium length post. Bring a cup of cocoa for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Amazon Sues Scammers

Free StoryADay Podcast Episode: Amazon, AI and Author's Rights

My work is finished for today.

Panzer found this episode at Julie Duffy's StoryADay Podcast site. The episode contains information about Amazon and AI book scams he thought you might be interested in.

 

The podcast episode Amazon, AI and Author's Rights is on YouTube. In the "more" section below the episode you'll find a list of writers' advocacy groups. Below that list you'll see the episode is divided into four sections which are listed as "Chapters".  If a Chapter doesn't interest you, you can pick the ones which do.

 

 To listen to the podcast episode tootle over to Amazon and AI

Dogging the Watchdog: In Which a Scammer Tries to Troll Me - Writer Beware (R)

She is a writer's best friend.

Today, Panzer made a quick trip to the Writer Beware (R) site. There your favorite traveling kitty boy found a post about a scammer trying to troll site owner Victoria Strauss.

 

In the post Victoria Strauss gives examples of some of the things scammers have tried to do to her in the past. They've tryed to get her kicked out of SFWA and they've included instructions in their scam manual about how to discredit her. She then describes what the latest scammer is doing. This one is impersonating her to make her look bad. The post includes links for all the assorted things scammers have tried to do over the years.

Panzer says, "You know you're doing your job, when the bad guys are afraid of you, and, obviously, this scammer is afraid of her."

Note: This is a long post. Bring whatever you want to eat and drink while you read her post.

To read the post tootle over to Writer Beware (R)

How Scammers Are Using Amazon and Amazon Trademarks to Rip Writers Off - Writer Beware(R)

Prepare yourself now.

Today Panzer made a stop at the Writer Beware(R) site. There he found a post about Amazon scammers and fakers.

 

Victoria Strauss' post begins with examples of scammers who bought advertising space on Google searches. The rest of the post gives examples of how the fakers and scammers trick writers and authors into believing they're part of Amazon.

 

Panzer says, "You must read this post. It will keep you from getting involved with these scammers and save you time and money."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Scammers

Anatomy of a Fake Literary Agency Scam - Writer Beware(R)

Today, Panzer's first stop in the Catosphere was at the Writer Beware(R) site. There he found a post about fake literary agency scammers.

 

This is very important.

In her post Victoria Strass explains the steps the scammers go through to get writers to pay for their "services": Starting with contacting the writer, progressing to appealing to the writer's dreams of fame, wealth and success, followed by recommending the agency's services to make all those happen. The post has examples from a fake literary agency's direct contact with writers, advertising through letters and brochures and social media platforms.

 

Panzer says, "Always listen to your Mom and don't talk to strangers."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea, a muffin and a chocolate chip cookie for today's reading selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to fake literary agency scam

Why You Might Not Want to Use Wire Transfer or Payment Apps to Pay For Publishing Services - Writere Beware

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Writer Beware site. The post our inquisitive little kitty boy found there is about the payment systems scammers use to defraud writers.

 

I didn't know any of this.

Victoria Strauss' post exams how payment systems work and the rules governing them. She also covers which of the systems offer the best protections for authors to recover their money in a fraudulent transaction. Several links to other information about the payment systems are included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "Every author should read this post."

 

Note: This is a long post. Bring a cup of cocoa and a muffin for today's reading selection. If you plan to follow the links in the post, you'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink.

 

To read the post tootle over to wire transfer or payment apps

How to (Maybe) Get Out of Your Contract When Your Scam Re-Publisher ... - Writer Beware (R)

It's been a while since Panzer has been to the Writer Beware (R) site, so he decided to stop in there today. He's really glad he did, because he found a post about scam re-publishers there. Re-publishers are those guys (and gals) who send you an email and offer to re-publish your book and get you wider distribution or get you a movie deal for your book or turn you into a seven figure traditionally published author. Just sign on the dotted line and pay your money.

 

This is important.

What can you do when that re-publisher doesn't deliver on any of those promices and isn't responding to your contact attempts? Victoria Strauss' post explains the steps you can take to (try to) regain control of your book. While the steps involved appear time consuming and complicated, it's important to follow through if you want your book back. The post contains links to all the major retailers' copyright infringement form pages.

 

Panzer says, "Victoria Strauss is knowledgeable about all kinds of scammers who prey on writers."

 

Note:This is a long post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading. If you plan to follow the links in the post, you'll need to decide what to bring to eat and drink.

 

To read the post tootle over to contract

Scam Alert: Scammers Impersonating Acorn TV - Writer Beware

Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere today and decided to make a stop at the Writer Beware site. There he found a post about scammers and Acorn TV.

 

You think I'll believe that?

According to Victoria Strauss' post, there's a scam going around in the writing community on Twitter. Writers are contacted by people claiming to be recruiters for Acorn TV. The scammers claim Acorn TV needs writers and will pay $5000 for two stories per week. Apparently, this scam has been around in another form since 2021.

 

Panzer says, "This little kitty is glad he went to the Writer Beware site today."

 

Note: Because this post contains samples of the bogus tweets sent by the scammers, this is a long post. Bring whatever you want to eat and drink while you read the selection.

 

To read the post tootle over to Scam Alert

Trouble in Audible - Indies Unlimited

Today as Panzer was tootling around in the Catosphere, the Panzermobile was suddenly buffeted by ranting and crying coming from outside. Following all the hullabaloo took our intrepid kitty boy to the Indies Unlimited site. There with no digging at all in the posts he found one about changes to Audible.

You scammer guys know it's stealing, right?

According to the post by Melissa Bowersock, scammers have taken up residence on Amazon's Audible. Amazon's audio book producer ACX has been letting authors and narrators of audio books give away free promo codes so listeners could get their audio books for free. Audible would then give the authors and narrators royalties on those free downloads as if they were bought downloads. Recently scammers have entered the market putting up "fake" audio books and using the free promo codes to game the system and get unearned royalties. ACX and Audible have now done away with the free promo code royalty system. Legitimate audio book authors and narrators are the ones being punished for what the scammers have been doing.

Panzer says, "Those scammer guys can't leave a good thing alone. They just have to ruin it for everybody else."

Note: This is a long-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Audible

Kindle Counterfeiting - A Growing Threat to Authors

Panzer made a short trip into the Catosphere. Our kitty boy stopped in at John Doppler's Words on Words blog. Digging around he found a post from August of last year that indie authors need to be aware of.

You better watch out.

According to the post, there's a counterfeiting piracy scheme going on. What happened to author Rebecca Merry Murdock is used as an example. A scammer stole her ebook and royalties. They did this by uploading a copy of the ebook and then making a duplicate sales page. The sales page got connected to her author page. Ms. Murdock was able to track down what was happening and contact Amazon. If she hadn't been checking her ebooks, she never would have know what happened.

Panzer says, "We better all check our ebooks just to make sure it's not happening to any of us.!"

Note: A cup of tea and a muffin should do for today's reading session.

To read the post, tootle over to Kindle authors