Writing Journey
Viewing comments for Chapter 13 "Beware Scammers are Everywhere!!"Help with writing, mine and yours.
27 total reviews
Comment from patcelaw
I have published two books and on both books I have received those kind of calls. I recognize it as being for my scammer and I just dismissed the thing altogether. I had the advantage because I did not answer the phone and they left a message and I realized it was a scam. There are some out there who are telling you that they'll make your book into a movie or all kinds of things that mean there are so many scammers out there. Thanks for sharing this with people so they know it should not be fooled by these idiots. patricia.
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2025
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I have published two books and on both books I have received those kind of calls. I recognize it as being for my scammer and I just dismissed the thing altogether. I had the advantage because I did not answer the phone and they left a message and I realized it was a scam. There are some out there who are telling you that they'll make your book into a movie or all kinds of things that mean there are so many scammers out there. Thanks for sharing this with people so they know it should not be fooled by these idiots. patricia.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2025
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Thank you for sticking to your guns and for my kind support.
Comment from nomi338
Parasites like this try to take advantage of writers who want to be successful and famous. I used to sing, but realized that I prefer being anonymous. Oh it is great to be successful, but I enjoy being able to go wherever I want to without attracting attention. The trick I think is do not be too hungry for success. Work on your craft and if success finds you, you will be ready for it.
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2025
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Parasites like this try to take advantage of writers who want to be successful and famous. I used to sing, but realized that I prefer being anonymous. Oh it is great to be successful, but I enjoy being able to go wherever I want to without attracting attention. The trick I think is do not be too hungry for success. Work on your craft and if success finds you, you will be ready for it.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2025
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Thank you for the wise review. Your wisdom shines through.
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
As you say, Barbara, they're everywhere and it gets to a point for me (having been scammed twice already) that I mistrust any phone-call I receive (wrongly suspecting the bank once). I'm not in a position to have anyone wanting to market my works but you never know one day! I'm pleased you didn't get taken in and all's well that end's well. Good piece of advice to all. Take care Debbie
An edit: Since most of us want to be publishe(d)
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2025
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As you say, Barbara, they're everywhere and it gets to a point for me (having been scammed twice already) that I mistrust any phone-call I receive (wrongly suspecting the bank once). I'm not in a position to have anyone wanting to market my works but you never know one day! I'm pleased you didn't get taken in and all's well that end's well. Good piece of advice to all. Take care Debbie
An edit: Since most of us want to be publishe(d)
Comment Written 17-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 18-Mar-2025
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Thank you for the catch and your wonderful support. I've made the correction.
Comment from Janet Foor
Thank you Barabara for sharing this scam. There are so many of them today. We can't be too careful. We get several everyday and I'm glad you did the right thing and thank you again for letting us know. Forewarned is forearmed.
Blessings
Janet
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2025
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Thank you Barabara for sharing this scam. There are so many of them today. We can't be too careful. We get several everyday and I'm glad you did the right thing and thank you again for letting us know. Forewarned is forearmed.
Blessings
Janet
Comment Written 17-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2025
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I know. I get them all the time. This one was unreal. He had access to way too much personal information. Thank you for the understanding.
Comment from Iza Deleanu
I heard about this scheme before, or the classic did you call me, and then start rambling on the phone as a tactic to charge you for stuff you don't need. Thank you for sharing and good luck with your writings.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2025
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I heard about this scheme before, or the classic did you call me, and then start rambling on the phone as a tactic to charge you for stuff you don't need. Thank you for sharing and good luck with your writings.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2025
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Thank you for understanding.
Comment from Mistydawn
Thank you for the warning. I'm so glad you did what you did, and not fall for it. It seems that scammers are everywhere these days. I got a call from the IRS saying I owe them a lot of money and if I didn't pay them I'd be arrested. Knowing it was a scam I said I don't have the money so I guess I'll be arrested then. The next day a cop did show up at my door, boy was I scared thinking it wasn't a scam after all. I almost didn't open the door, but thought they'd be back later if I don't. Turns out my neighbors house was broken into and wanted to know if I saw anything.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2025
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Thank you for the warning. I'm so glad you did what you did, and not fall for it. It seems that scammers are everywhere these days. I got a call from the IRS saying I owe them a lot of money and if I didn't pay them I'd be arrested. Knowing it was a scam I said I don't have the money so I guess I'll be arrested then. The next day a cop did show up at my door, boy was I scared thinking it wasn't a scam after all. I almost didn't open the door, but thought they'd be back later if I don't. Turns out my neighbors house was broken into and wanted to know if I saw anything.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2025
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Thank you for the support. Yes, these scams are getting ridiculous.
Comment from lyenochka
Thank you so much for sharing this, Barbara! We writers are so vulnerable to publishing companies, especially the ones who just take your money and promise to do things and not do them. (Vanity press, I think they're called.)
I only had emails from Amazon offering to help market. At this point, I don't think I want that kind of exposure! Lol.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2025
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Thank you so much for sharing this, Barbara! We writers are so vulnerable to publishing companies, especially the ones who just take your money and promise to do things and not do them. (Vanity press, I think they're called.)
I only had emails from Amazon offering to help market. At this point, I don't think I want that kind of exposure! Lol.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2025
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Thank you for understanding. I have no clue how they got so much information about me.
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All our info is out there and easy to dig up. Since you probably have an author page, it's easy to find your number from an online website. Scary! But it can be wrong. My son-in-law found my personal info and then listed a bunch of "friends" but I didn't know who they were! Lol. They were neighbors and I didn't know their last names 😂
Comment from Sankey
This was an excellent post and warning. I am nowhere near dealing with publishers, yet, but I did think of approaching Aussie Amazon. I know folks will appreciate the warning. Well done.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2025
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This was an excellent post and warning. I am nowhere near dealing with publishers, yet, but I did think of approaching Aussie Amazon. I know folks will appreciate the warning. Well done.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2025
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Thank you for the kind review.
Comment from Alexandra Trovato
I am from nyc. So I would either would have not answered or I would have hung up on him. You have a publisher who took time to tell you not to use the other guy. That makes sense. I'm glad you nipped it in the bud. I block these leashes constantly when they write to me online. You don't need them. I haven't stated marketing much yet but tell your publisher that these sharks know what your status is. If your publisher does better marketing for you, you won't show up on these scammers radar. Possibly, you need a new marketer all together, friend. You should not be in such a position at all.
A good marketer will keep your numbers up to where these leeches won't notice you. I will get a marketer when I'm ready because my brother who was in marketing that marketing is everything when it comes to successful selling. He was actually on retainer with the Washingtion Post a consultant. Ever since he died, they went downhill. Forgive my emotion as I miss my brother. He was with them late 70s through 2016. He died in 2018.
I suggest you look for a better marketer buy I am out of that loop to suggest.
A typo note:
I though(t)
Have a good day,
Alex
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2025
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I am from nyc. So I would either would have not answered or I would have hung up on him. You have a publisher who took time to tell you not to use the other guy. That makes sense. I'm glad you nipped it in the bud. I block these leashes constantly when they write to me online. You don't need them. I haven't stated marketing much yet but tell your publisher that these sharks know what your status is. If your publisher does better marketing for you, you won't show up on these scammers radar. Possibly, you need a new marketer all together, friend. You should not be in such a position at all.
A good marketer will keep your numbers up to where these leeches won't notice you. I will get a marketer when I'm ready because my brother who was in marketing that marketing is everything when it comes to successful selling. He was actually on retainer with the Washingtion Post a consultant. Ever since he died, they went downhill. Forgive my emotion as I miss my brother. He was with them late 70s through 2016. He died in 2018.
I suggest you look for a better marketer buy I am out of that loop to suggest.
A typo note:
I though(t)
Have a good day,
Alex
Comment Written 17-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2025
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Thank you for the advice. I appreciate it.
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You're welcome! 😊
Comment from jmdg1954
Scammers are a dime
a dozen it seems. Yours may have had some legitimacy but how'd he get so much info on you?
Hopefully your post will enlighten some on the sight who may be being published or are published.
Me, I'll never be in that spot.
Thanks for the post.
John
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2025
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Scammers are a dime
a dozen it seems. Yours may have had some legitimacy but how'd he get so much info on you?
Hopefully your post will enlighten some on the sight who may be being published or are published.
Me, I'll never be in that spot.
Thanks for the post.
John
Comment Written 17-Mar-2025
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2025
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I have no clue how he got that information. He may have hacked into Amazon. Thank you for the support.