I’m sure everyone out there has had their emails flooded with all types of scams. But this one in particular affects independent authors more because we are always on the lookout for new ways to market our works out there. I am sharing a post from my good friend and author, Paul White, who goes into detail about the newest scams out there. Click on his link below to read his article. Very informative. Here is his post from Facebook:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SCAMMY, SCAM, SCAMMERS!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once more, scammers and phishers are targeting the writer and author community with new approaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Previously, these scammers promised to market our books, or supply Beta readers, or to get you hundreds of reviews and so forth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recently, their approach has been \u2018book clubs\u2019, events, and conferences where YOUR book would be promoted to an eager audience of readers who, as it just happened, were looking precisely for the book you recently published\u2026 yeah\u2026 right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, their approach tactics are shifting once more, and in a way that applies to almost everyone who uses the internet\/WWW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most have, or are dropping the item or product contact method in favour of a wider target audience, that of websites. As most people have at least one website, either business or personal, this widens the market for these scammers, if fact, their marketplace becomes one of infinite opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have not already received an email, message, or notification regarding your website, you are bound to receive one, or a hundred and one, very shortly. It will tell that the sender loves your site, thinks your product is fantastic\u2026. BUT\u2026 your website could be performing better, particularly in the background. You could be getting far more traffic to your site. And guess what, the scammer can help you drive your site forward, get you a massive SEO jump, increase your sales and\u2026 and\u2026 whatever other bullshush they say.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And you know what is so amazing about this?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They are the same people, the same organisations phishers and scammers who can promote your books, find Beta readers, get you hundreds of five star revies, and pump your book sales so high that you can retire and live in luxury for the rest of your life\u2026 by this time next year (Rodney!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Advice. Step one \u2013 report. Step two \u2013 block. Step three \u2013 delete (In that order)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NEVER click any form of link. It will take you to a false site, or even install malicious files\/ransomware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NEVER reply or respond in any way\u2026 NEVER\u2026 EVER. You may think you can wind a scammer up, tell them you have not been fooled, or you have reported them. DO NOT DO THIS under ANY circumstance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once a scammer knows your Email\/Message\/WhatsApp\/Line, or whatever is \u2018Live\u2019 they will keep sending various forms of contact to that\/those addresses, from a hundred and one phone farms. They will sell or share your details with another scam organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
AND\u2026 they will use it as the first \u2018key\u2019 to pawn your details, to scrape everything about you that is available online, and from the businesses, organisations, your contacts, family and friends list. And they WILL target those people too\u2026 all because you responded in some way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So NEVER, EVER, respond to any dodgy-looking\/suspect email or message from an unknown source. Simply report, block, and delete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You are welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
TO FINISH, below are seven countries with major scammer issues. Of course there are more, but these re the ones most likely to target the individual and smaller businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nigeria is at the top of the list as a leader in internet scams, especially romance and fake-fee schemes. Nigeria is infamous for its 419 scams, named after a local law. These scams usually lure people in with the promise of quick cash or business opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
China. Crooks set up fake online stores to rip off people everywhere. With deepfake videos and AI scams proliferating, things are getting trickier to detect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine’s skilled tech workers make it a cybercrime centre. Fake emails, malware, and illegal online markets are common, often targeting Western countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Romania, a hotspot in Europe for cyber scams. Fake online auctions and credit card theft. Past poverty and corruption have created a culture of cybercrime. Romania’s scammers are active, using global shopping sites to trick people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brazil’s online banking change, with systems like Pix, has drawn cybercriminals, a continuing trend. Scammers use malware and fake apps to scam users, making it hard for authorities to keep up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
India, with fake emails, QR codes, and payment scams. Between 2018 and 2021, scams really took off, with over 250,000 cases costing people a total of $96 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It looks like things will only get worse during 2026. Tech is moving so fast that it’s outpacing security, which makes India a hot spot for scams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep happy, Paul.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SCAM TACTICS being used or those which will soon be used through 2026\/27, visit this post on my blog, Ramblings from a Writer’s Mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n