Have you received an influx of messages lately promising “Increased book exposure, book reviews, or a massive social media splash?” Then this Autopsy of a Scam might be for you.
Whether a debut novelist or a seasoned bestseller, authors remain prime targets for fraudulent promotional schemes. Why? Because they target an author’s hopes and aspirations. Readers. Sales. Reviews.
After more than a decade in publishing, I (Author Anita Dickason) speak from experience. I’ve fielded countless calls from promoters with no credentials, all promising the moon. Glowing reviews, prime placement at book festivals, interviews with major media outlets, even movie deals allegedly pitched to Netflix and unnamed agents. The pattern was always the same. Just a relentless sales pitch to “close the deal” with a payment for their fees. And the price tag? Anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
Autopsy of a Scam: The New Influence
When AI entered the picture, it ushered in a new era of deception through AI-generated content. The result: an insidious, sophisticated shift to a written pitch: emails. Gone were the generic scripts. In their place were messages engineered to suggest intimate knowledge of the characters, plot twists, and even the author. The details and language all bore the unmistakable hallmarks of AI-generated content.
How? Scammers use AI tools (like ChatGPT) that scrape public metadata, book summaries, and reviews to simulate personalized engagement. It feels like someone has read your work, but it’s just mimicry. AI excels at generating persuasive, genre-aligned language that’s designed to impress. A sales pitch that builds trust. But without verifiable, credible credentials, it’s an illusion of legitimacy.
For authors seeking legitimate promotional opportunities, the question becomes clear: How do you separate the wheat from the chaff?
To answer it, The Crew launched an investigation rooted in a technique known as scambaiting. Through a series of engagements, we uncovered a recurring pattern of deception. One marked by emotionally manipulative language, fabricated claims, and a conspicuous absence of verifiable credentials.
The following are four emails from among dozens of such emails I’ve received. Each one opened with a lure. Friendly, emotionally tailored language designed to flatter and appeal to the author.
- I couldn’t resist reaching out to you.
- I understand how much passion and effort goes into writing a book.
- I was immediately hooked by your blend of authentic law enforcement detail and chilling supernatural intrigue.
- I have to say, I was completely drawn into The Foretelling.
Then there’s the bait. Buzzwords that instantly resonate with an author’s deepest ambition—visibility and reach.
- “Private community of 2,000+ readers”
- “Over 10,000 book clubs”
- “Reach your target audience”
- “Connect with book clubs and reviewers”
- “Expand visibility across platforms
- “No paid reviews, just authentic engagement”
- “Leave reviews in bulk”
- “Increase visibility, sales, and reviews”
These weren’t neutral descriptors. They are calculated to provoke action and compel the author to respond. To bite the hook and engage with the promoter.
What was absent? Any type of proof that the promoter was who they claimed to be. No verification. No social media presence. No website. No transparency. In other words, no digital footprint to substantiate the promises or support the numbers.
EMAIL #1: The Hook
I hope this message finds you well. I run a private community of 2,000+ readers who are always eager to dive into gripping historical mysteries and thought-provoking narratives. After reading about JFK Assassination Eyewitness: Rush to Conspiracy, I couldn’t resist reaching out to you.
The way you approach the mysterious death of Lee Bowers through your detailed investigative process truly resonates with the kind of stories our community enjoys. Your extensive background in law enforcement and your clear passion for uncovering hidden truths brings an invaluable layer of depth to the narrative. I believe this book would captivate readers who are drawn to uncovering the secrets behind major historical events.
I’d love to invite you to share your book with our readers. Our group provides honest feedback, and it would be wonderful to see JFK Assassination Eyewitness: Rush to Conspiracy resonate with so many more curious minds.
Would you be open to discussing how we could collaborate to get the word out? I’d love to help you reach a wider audience.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
SCAMBAITING: The Engagement
In Hook #1, the promoter claimed: I run a private community of 2,000+ readers.
When I requested verification of the promoter’s identity, the narrative shifted.
I want to clarify that I’m not the group admin, but I am a passionate member of this private community.
While we don’t have a formal website or social media page, our members are active and committed to providing thoughtful, honest reviews on platforms like Amazon and Goodreads.
For further inquiries or to discuss collaboration details, you can reach out to the group admin at m.**@***il.com.
Suddenly, the authority vanished, along with any accountability. Instead, the promoter pivoted to I’m just a member. Instead of providing personal verification, I’m directed to a generic email for the group admin, another unverifiable entity. The use of generic email addresses will be featured in a future Mystery Review Crew article.
Despite admitting there was no website or social media presence, the promoter continued to extol the group’s thoughtful and honest reviews. As if the high praise could mask the absence of legitimacy.
I pressed again, requesting verification of the promoter’s identity.
Thank you for your reply. I completely understand your concern. To clarify, the community I’m part of consists of over 2,000 dedicated readers who are not just interested in books, but actively engage in thoughtful discussions and provide detailed, honest reviews.
I am one of these readers and work alongside the group to collaborate with authors and help generate meaningful feedback for their books. While we don’t have a formal website or social media presence, the strength of our community lies in its members’ passion for books and their commitment to promoting those that resonate with them.
Still no proof of this individual’s identity. However, his role again shifted. Now he collaborates with authors.
The promoter continued to sidestep my requests for verification, redirecting attention once again to the same undocumented and unverifiable group of readers.
And the price for the detailed, honest reviews from an individual who refused to verify his identity and had no digital footprint? That was revealed in his next email.
To clarify, our readers are volunteers who are genuinely passionate about books. However, to make the experience more comfortable and enjoyable for them, so they can relax, sip coffee, and fully engage with your book, we offer a small tip.
Typically, we provide $20 per notable reader, and we usually start with a minimum of 20 readers. This is not because they require payment, but simply to create a pleasant reading environment and acknowledge their time and thoughtful effort.
Please let me know what works best for your credit card via invoice, or PayPal. The process is simple: you would send me the PDF of your book, and I will share it directly with our group so they can begin reading.
At the same time, it’s important that the book is also available on Kindle Unlimited. This way, after finishing the PDF, readers can immediately download it through KU and leave their verified reviews on Amazon. That ensures the feedback goes up quickly and helps maximize the book’s visibility.
The promoter framed the fee as a benevolent gesture. An act of generosity meant to enhance the reader’s comfort. It wasn’t positioned as payment for a service, but as a way to create a pleasant reading environment where unsubstantiated readers could relax, sip coffee, and fully engage with the book. The language evoked warmth and leisure, masking the transactional nature of the exchange. In reality, the $400 wasn’t a tip. It was a purchase wrapped in illusion, offered by someone with no credentials, no digital footprint, or even any proof that these readers existed.
And, to top it off, he requested a copy of the PDF file. Among the many red flags in this entire email exchange, that request stood out. Why would the readers need the PDF if they can download the book on Kindle Unlimited to leave their verified reviews on Amazon?
There was another interesting twist in this engagement. Twice, the promoter denied having a website. After multiple email exchanges, he suddenly provided a link to a site titled with nothing more than his first name.
An investigation revealed the site had been created the same day he sent the link. The domain provider offers free websites and has a documented history of being exploited by scam and phishing operations. It should be noted: the promoter’s website provided no credible verification of his identity. Like the rhetoric scattered throughout his emails, the website was superficial, lacking substance.
In a future Mystery Review Crew article, we’ll address the legitimacy of websites with tips to spot potential scam sites.
EMAIL #2: The Hook
Hello
I hope this message finds you well. I work with authors who are eager to see their books reach the readers they truly deserve.
I understand how much passion and effort goes into writing a book but getting it into the hands of the right audience can be a challenge. That’s where I come in. I help authors like you:
- Reach your target audience through tailored strategies that put your book in front of readers who are already searching for stories like yours.
- Connect with book clubs and reviewers who can create genuine buzz and spark conversations about your work.
- Expand visibility across platforms so your book gains recognition not just locally, but globally.
- Build lasting readership by creating meaningful engagement between you and your audience.
- Reach your target audience through tailored strategies that put your book in front of readers who are already searching for stories like yours.
- Connect with book clubs and reviewers who can create genuine buzz and spark conversations about your work.
- Expand visibility across platforms so your book gains recognition not just locally, but globally.
- Build lasting readership by creating meaningful engagement between you and your audience.
By working together, you’ll have more than just a book on the shelf, you’ll have a book that travels across the world, reaching new hearts and minds every day.
SCAMBAITING: The Engagement
My engagement with this promoter followed a familiar pattern. A courteous, collaborative, and seemingly reassuring sales pitch. But beneath the surface, it was riddled with red flags. Deflection disguised as professionalism. A carefully crafted illusion designed to disarm skepticism and project credibility without offering any. And, when I requested verification, this was the response.
I completely understand your need to confirm who you’re speaking with. Transparency and trust are extremely important in this process. I’m happy to provide any details you need to verify my identity and the work I do with authors. I’ve worked with writers across a variety of genres to help their books gain real visibility through personalized marketing, strategic outreach, and audience engagement. I’d also be glad to schedule a call at a time that works best for you. This will give us a chance to connect directly, and I can walk you through my approach, answer any questions you have, and discuss how we can tailor a promotional plan specifically for your book.
While the opening line acknowledged the need for identity verification, the promoter offered none. Just another vague promise to provide the details.
The mention of working with other authors, paired with buzzwords like real visibility, personalized marketing, strategic outreach, and audience engagement, added a deceptive level of reassurance. It sounded professional but provided no substance.
The invitation to schedule a phone call, framed as an opportunity to answer my questions, was another hook. By shifting the conversation away from written correspondence, the promoter sidestepped accountability. No credentials. No evidence trail. When I responded that a phone call was unacceptable until the individual’s identity could be verified, I received no reply.
EMAIL #3: The Hook
Hi
I hope this note finds you well! I run a growing community of readers who devour suspense, thrillers, and paranormal mysteries.
I came across Sentinels of the Night and was immediately hooked by your blend of authentic law enforcement detail and chilling supernatural intrigue. My group loves stories with strong protagonists like Cat Morgan, tough, complex, and pushed to their limits.
I’d love to feature your novel with my readers. These are genuine fans who enjoy discovering new authors and who leave thoughtful, honest reviews on Amazon. No paid reviews, just authentic engagement to help spread the word.
Would you be open to me sharing Sentinels of the Night with them?
SCAMBAITING: The Engagement
As with the first two hooks, there was no verification of the promoter’s identity beyond a name and email address. And, once again, there was another unsubstantiated community of readers. No links, no proof, no profiles. Based on the final line of the email, I changed tactics. Rather than challenge the claim directly, I responded with cautious interest, curious to see what kind of response I would receive.
I informed the promoter that if they were interested, the book was available in Kindle Unlimited and added that all reviews would be appreciated.
It’s not surprising the promoter responded with reasons why using Kindle Unlimited wouldn’t work for his readers. Instead, he requested a copy of the PDF file, followed by the pitch for money.
Thank you so much for your kind reply. Kindle Unlimited is a great option, and I’ll be sure to let my community know about it, though not all are subscribed. To give your book the widest reach possible, would you also be open to sharing a review copy in PDF format? This will make it much easier for all the readers in our community to access it directly.
Also, for convenience, could you please share the direct Amazon link to Sentinels of the Night? That way, once they’ve read it, they can head straight to Amazon to leave their genuine reviews without searching around.
Many authors who share their books with us like to show a small token of appreciation to readers for the time they invest. Typically, this is in the range of $10–$15 per reader. It’s never mandatory, but it does encourage readers to engage more deeply and share the book with friends and other communities, which helps multiply visibility and reviews.
The similarity to the language used by the promoter in Hook #1 should be noted. Whereas that promoter referred to the money as a small tip, here it’s reframed as a small token of appreciation. Just one example of the similarity of phrases that is a typical pattern.
When I again requested a website and social media links, I received another I completely understand response.
I completely understand your caution if I were in your shoes, I’d feel the same way. Our community is private by design, mostly to keep it safe and avoid outside traffic that might affect the way readers engage.
Your book would be secure with us, authors who have shared with the community before have been happy with how it turned out. If you’d like to double-check, you can even reach out to one of them, E…. H….,@gmail.com, and she’ll gladly confirm her experience.
The promoter ignored the request for his identification by deflecting to the supposed privacy of the group. Instead of offering credentials or any evidence of a digital footprint, he provided a reference: a personal email address for an alleged author. An unverifiable contact with no links to published works, no traceable platform, and no way to confirm legitimacy.
EMAIL #4: The Hook
Hi
I have to say, I was completely drawn into The Foretelling. The way you blended an ancient prophecy with the grit of an FBI tracker thriller is nothing short of magnetic. Kerry Branson feels like the kind of character readers will carry with them long after they close the last page. I came across your book on Amazon and couldn’t help but think about how many more readers need to experience what you’ve created.
In my work, I help connect authors with over 10,000 book clubs, both online and in person. What excites me most is how this can open the door for you to not only increase visibility, sales, and reviews, but also create meaningful engagement with readers who truly invest in characters like Kerry. The best part? Book clubs don’t just read, they talk, they debate, and they leave reviews in bulk. It’s not uncommon to see up to 100 fresh reviews in just two weeks when a book like yours gets picked up.
Your writing has such heart and intensity that I can already imagine mystery and thriller clubs diving deep into the prophecy element, while suspense lovers argue over Kerry’s decisions (in the best way possible, of course). It’s the kind of ripple effect that gives an author both momentum and long-term impact.
If this sounds like something you’d love to try, just reply with “Interested.” I’ll happily explain everything in detail. Honestly, that one-word reply would absolutely make my day, because nothing excites me more than seeing authors like you shine while book club members discover their next obsession.
I truly believe your book can reach far more readers than you might expect, and I’d love to be the one to help make that happen.
Warmly,
P.S. Fair warning: if your book ends up in too many book clubs at once, you may have to stockpile coffee to keep up with all the interviews and reader questions. Not the worst problem to have, right?
SCAMBAITING: The Engagement
This was certainly an elaborate hook, promising access to over 10,000 book clubs, along with bulk reviews, momentum, and long-term impact. All this could be triggered by just one word—interested. Still, under the grandiose words, there was the familiar pattern. No credentials. No digital footprint. No evidence of legitimacy.
The response to my “interested” and request for website and social media links was even more extensive and sophisticated.
“Thank you so much for your reply! I’d love to share how I work with authors like you to showcase their books in a way that gets book clubs genuinely excited and eager to feature them. My focus is on delivering results, so rather than just sending a website link, let me show you exactly what you would get through my Personalized Club Outreach Package:”
1. Exclusive “First-Look” Reading Pack
- Curated Excerpt PDF: I select 2–3 of the most powerful pages of your book, format them professionally with your cover art, and add a mini-intro from you. It feels like a VIP event rather than just a file.
- Author Q&A Invitation: A beautifully designed digital card offering clubs a 15-minute live or written Q&A with you. Clubs love author access, it boosts participation by over 60%.
2. Genre-Specific Discussion Blueprint
- Five Custom Questions: Crafted to spark lively thriller-specific conversations like “Which of Kerry’s choices shocked you the most and why?”
- Bonus Icebreaker Activity: A fun “choose-your-ally” poll or quick group game that gets members tagging friends and posting reactions within minutes.
3. Personalized Outreach Script & Social Proof Snippets
- DM Templates: Tailored outreach for platforms like Facebook, Goodreads, and Discord, opening with your own compelling book hook.
- Mini Testimonial Carousel: Short quotes from past campaigns formatted as social media cards to build instant trust.
4. No-Risk Bonus for Immediate Sign-Up
- Free Branded Discussion Guide PDF: If a club replies within 48 hours, they receive a professional guide including your bio, book summary, discussion questions, and a suggested reading calendar.
- Sneak Peek of Future Extras: A teaser bonus, like an exclusive audio commentary, to keep excitement alive.
When you’re ready, the next step (Step 3) is where I take these tailored assets and start pitching directly to my network of over 10,000 book clubs, turning this package into confirmed features, reviews, and real visibility for The Foretelling.
Just say the word and we’ll dive in!
Warmly,
P.S. Fair warning: once book clubs get their hands on Kerry Branson’s story, you might need to start practicing your “I can’t give spoilers” smile for all the reader Q&As coming your way!
Instead of credentials, the promoter launched into a detailed marketing pitch, complete with curated PDFs, Q&A invitations, genre-specific discussion guides, and social media templates. The language was persuasive, with expansive promises. But the core issue remained the same. No verifiable identity, no digital footprint, no evidence of professional legitimacy. What came next said even more about what wasn’t there.
Hello
Great question, I love that you’re asking about both cost and proof, because those are the two things that show me you’re serious about your book’s success. Let me walk you through exactly what happens at this stage:
Strategic Outreach & Profit-Driven Club Placement
Goal: To secure book club features that don’t just get your story read, but spark buzz, generate early reviews, and lead to meaningful sales from the very first outreach.
Here’s how it works:
1. Precision Targeting: The Right Clubs, The Right Readers
Not every club is the right fit and that’s a good thing. I use real-time data and campaign history to handpick 15–25 clubs that align perfectly with The Foretelling. For example, thriller and suspense clubs where readers are actively seeking new voices.
- Impact Preview: Before outreach begins, you’ll receive a one-page “Impact Snapshot” showing projected sales, reviews, and discussion mentions. This way you’ll know exactly how your investment is set to perform.
2. Warm, Human, ROI-Focused Outreach
Every club admin receives thoughtful, personalized communication (no mass blasts). I layer in multiple touchpoints, an initial invite, a gentle nudge, and a final reminder that highlights their VIP spot on your release calendar.
- Example line: “By featuring Anita Dickason’s thriller, your members can expect a ready-made discussion and exclusive bonus resources tailored to suspense lovers.”
3. Seamless Scheduling & Professional Club Materials
When a club says yes, the booking process is effortless. They pick their reading window via your custom Club Calendar, then receive a Host Brief and branded graphics to announce the read. Everything looks polished, so they feel proud to feature you.
4. Live Campaign Dashboard — Your Results in Real Time
You’ll be able to log in and track every outreach, reply, confirmation, and projected sale. No guesswork, you’ll literally see your book’s visibility and ROI grow.
5. Early Buzz = Early Sales
Momentum starts immediately. Confirmed clubs get teaser polls and pre-reading prompts that often trigger a 10–15% sales lift before page one is turned. By the time members start reading, buzz is already in motion.
By the end of Step 3, you’ll have:
- Confirmed book club features
- Projected sales and review counts
- Clubs actively posting and tagging your book
As for examples: authors I’ve worked with have seen 40+ sales and 20+ reviews within the first two weeks in just one club placement. Multiply that by multiple clubs, and the visibility compounds fast.
When it comes to cost, packages vary depending on how wide you want to go with your outreach. Some authors start small to test results, while others dive in with larger placements to maximize early momentum.
Starter Package – $297
Perfect if you want to test the waters and see results fast.
- Targeted outreach to 10 carefully selected clubs
- Branded discussion guide + curated excerpt sampler
- Genre-specific discussion questions
- Live campaign dashboard access
- Projected 30–50 reader impressions, with 15–25 potential reviews
Growth Package – $497 (Most Popular)
Ideal if you’re ready to spark strong momentum and maximize visibility.
- Outreach to 20–25 aligned clubs
All Starter Package assets, plus:
- Custom “Impact Snapshot” forecast before outreach begins
- Bonus social-proof graphics for moderators to share
- Priority scheduling in book club calendars
- Projected 75–150 reader impressions, with 40–70 potential reviews
Premium Package – $797
For authors who want to go all in and dominate the conversation across multiple clubs.
Outreach to 35+ clubs across multiple platforms (Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, Discord)All Growth Package assets, plus:
- Personalized outreach scripts tailored for each community
- Bonus Q&A event invite (live or written) to maximize engagement
- Sneak-peek extras like “Chapter Commentary” to deepen discussions
- Projected 150–300+ reader impressions, with 80–120+ potential reviews
Most authors begin with the Growth Package, it’s the sweet spot for visibility, reviews, and ROI without feeling overwhelming. But if you’d like to start smaller or go bigger, both the Starter and Premium packages are ready for you too.
For sharing with clubs, the standard and easiest format is a PDF copy of your book. That way, every club member can access it seamlessly. I accept PayPal, it’s fast, secure, and simple for both U.S. and international authors.
Warmly,
P.S. Be warned, if Kerry Branson starts trending in book clubs, you might find yourself tagged in late-night “Can you believe that twist?!” posts. Reader obsession is a powerful thing!
There were numerous red flags within this engagement, making it impossible to list them all. As an example: “Authors I’ve worked with have seen 40+ sales and 20+ reviews within the first two weeks in just one club placement. Multiply that by multiple clubs, and the visibility compounds fast.” A classic case of testimonial bait. Smoke and mirrors. Just one of many.
This was a sophisticated, sweeping marketing plan designed to overwhelm skepticism with structure and high rewards. Each package came with projected impressions, review counts, and extended reach to book clubs. It bore all the hallmarks of an AI-generated marketing campaign, the persuasive language, layered incentives, and promises engineered to sell the pitch.
Stop and think about that. This was an in-depth promotional blueprint with multiple layers of marketing strategy and online activity from an individual with no verifiable, professional online presence. And I still didn’t know whether the name and email address of the promoter were even legitimate. Yet, this is what this unknown, unverifiable individual promised to deliver for a fee of several hundred dollars.
POSTMORTEM: The Forensic Conclusions
At the start of the article, I raised the question: How do you separate the wheat from the chaff?
In an industry built on visibility, legitimate book promoters don’t hide. At the heart of book promotion is the digital footprint, encompassing websites, blogs, newsletters, social media presence, and public postings.
Visibility! Transparency! It’s what sells books and engages readers. Legitimate promoters cultivate discoverability. They showcase past campaigns, book reviews, and social engagement across multiple platforms. Their presence isn’t just visible. It’s verifiable.
Scammers hide behind emotional flattery, buzzwords, and fabricated promises. They claim to have access to thousands of readers and book clubs, offering instant exposure to a niche-aligned audience. But their rhetoric is built on recycled phrases and slick deflections with no substance. No verifiable credentials.
This became the defining moment: No Digital Footprint. No website. No social media presence. No traceable campaigns. No credible examples. Nothing but an unverified name and email address.
Even the one promoter who offered a link after claiming they “didn’t have a formal website” became another red flag. The site was clearly newly created, hosted on a platform already associated with scam and phishing activity. Another layer of deception, dressed up as substance.
The absence of a digital footprint isn’t a minor omission. It’s a structural tactic. It shields the scammer from scrutiny, prevents accountability, and ensures that once money changes hands, there’s no trail to follow. Anyone who claims access to thousands of readers and book clubs but has no online presence is not promoting—they’re manufacturing an illusion.
Author Survival Guide: Spot the Red Flags Before They Hook You
With the rise of AI, scam promotions are becoming increasingly sophisticated, including fake websites that mimic legitimate ones.
Digital Footprint: Are there links to a website, social media accounts, or even YouTube channels? Or is there only a name? If there’s no traceable presence, that’s your first red flag.
Websites: A site is only credible if it offers complete transparency. In Hook #1, the promoter’s site was titled with just a first name. It was created after I began engaging with the promoter. More on website and email tactics will be featured in a future Mystery Review Crew article on book promotion scams.
Unverified Audience: This was another consistent pattern. The promoters’ access to private groups or book clubs, always with an emphasis on private. It’s the promoters’ selling point. But without proof, it’s fiction.
Inflated Claims: Watch for promises of high rewards with no specifics, no metrics, and no proof. If a promoter can’t back up their claims with verifiable data, examples, or links, it’s a sales pitch built on fiction.
Deflections: Flattery and praise are often used to sidestep direct questions. If answers are replaced with compliments, walk away.
Pressure Tactics: A push for a phone call or asking for a PDF of your book are tactics the promoter uses to avoid accountability and erase the paper trail. NEVER SHARE A PDF WITH ANY PROMOTIONAL GROUP IF YOU CAN AVOID IT. That’s how books get pirated.
Payment Requests: Any request for money without verifiable results is a red flag. Legitimate promoters show their work first.
Unverifiable Testimonials: Providing a personalized email address, such as a Gmail or Yahoo account, isn’t proof; they’re free to make and ANYONE can do it. They’re diversionary tactics designed to create a false sense of trust. Just as you can’t verify whether the promoter’s name is legitimate, the same applies to testimonials or the promoter’s associates offered through personal inboxes.
No Traceable Campaigns: If they claim past success, ask for links, screenshots, or club names to verify their claims.
No matter how enticing, flattering, or intriguing an email sounds, if it’s not backed by a credible digital footprint, trash it. Don’t engage. After interacting with these four promoters, the surge in promotional gambits I received was immediate. It was as if the word had spread: here’s an author marked as ripe for the taking.
We hope this Autopsy of a Scam was helpful. Next up in our investigative series on avoiding book promotional scams is Part Two: How to Spot a Scam Email: Red Flags Every Author Should Know.
Wow – this is an outstanding deconstruction of the sophisticated scams that authors are being inundated with. Thank you for sharing — I’ll be spreading the word for authors to read these tips. Important stuff.