How to recognize and avoid scams, and what to do if you have fallen for one.
You receive an email from a company with an offer to publish your book! You are so excited, this book is your baby. You have poured your heart and soul into it, and you are so excited that this company sees the value in it. What's more the email is extremely personal, they have clearly taken the time to review your blog or social media because they have included details about your book, and about your accomplishments.
So you accept.
The opportunity comes with a fee. You have heard some authors say that they have paid for their publishing opportunity, and your contact from the publishing company takes the time to go over inclusion and packages. The expense makes sense, and you can't wait to see your book in print, so you send the payment.
And you wait with anticipation for your first round of edits, illustrations, or author copies. But they don't come. You follow up, and there is always a good reason for the delay. So you wait some more. But soon months have gone by and there has been no update on your book's progress. You are beginning to suspect that you have been scammed.
Scams are Common
In fact 43% of Canadians report that they have been caught in a scam or fraud, according to an Ipsos study on fraud in Canada.
So let go of that guilt and embarrassment. It's not serving you, and scammers count on that discomfort to prevent you from telling your loved ones the truth. How often would scams be avoided if we talked about them upfront and early on?
What to do if you think you have been scammed
1) Don't panic. Verify if your company is a scam.
Take a look at your publishing company, your agreement, and your communication with a level head. Don't jump to conclusions until you have assessed the situation.
Common signs of a scam
The offer is unexpected.
An unexpected offer isn't proof of a scam, but it's a reason to be cautious. Research the company before responding or sharing personal information. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's guidance on service scams offers useful advice on evaluating unfamiliar service providers.
There is pressure to act quickly. https://antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/scams-fraudes/service-eng.htm
While it is true that legitimate publishing companies only take a limited number of applications, there should be flexibility, time to ask and answer questions, and a level of respect if you tell them you need time to consider the opportunity. Most legitimate publishers have an application process, so there should be direction about how to apply, not pressure to book today.
The Government of Ontario's guide to identifying scams explains other warning signs to look for when evaluating an offer.
They charge a fee.
Traditional publishers do not require a financial investment from the author. If the company claims to be a traditional publisher, or is using the name of a large publishing house, but asks for payment it is a scam.
If you are working with a hybrid publishing company (both the company and author invest money into the book) or a vanity press (the author pays for services and the company "self-publishes" the book for them) there will be fees. These should be made clear to you up front, be outlined in your contract, and there should not be pressure put on you to start making payments until you have officially agreed to the opportunity.
The Authors Guild's guide to avoiding publishing scams explains the differences between publishing arrangements and what authors should watch for.
So if you are working with a hybrid or vanity publisher, and the fees that weren't made clear to you from the start keep coming, you may be dealing with a scam.
Upfront fees are larger than expected.
Legitimate companies work in a fee for service structure. They may require an upfront deposit, but the rest of the payments should be available in a payment plan associated with milestone markers (such as completion of editing).
The Authors Guild's advice on avoiding publishing scams provides further guidance on evaluating publishing fees.
It sounds too good to be true
Even traditional publishers can not guarantee results. If your company is making big promises, like best seller status or promising you guaranteed results, you have likely stumbled upon a scam.
The Authors Guild's guide to avoiding publishing scams discusses misleading promises that authors should be wary of.
The sender's email address or domain name is slightly off
Companies follow specific naming conventions when assigning emails. For example, Kindle Direct Publishing is the legitimate website for Amazon's self-publishing print-on-demand service. KDP is completely free to use and is a self-publishing option.
Similar-looking domain names can be used to impersonate legitimate companies, so check suspicious offers carefully. You can search the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker for reports about potentially fraudulent websites.
kindledirectpublisher.co (don't include a hyperlink; I don't want backlinks to a scam website) is a reported example of a suspicious publishing website. See the Better Business Bureau's report.
There is no contract, or it is unclear.
You should get a contract, and it should be clear and detailed. Read it thoroughly. Consider connecting with a lawyer. Yes, lawyers are expensive, but they may prevent you from making a more expensive mistake later.
The Authors Guild's guide to hybrid publishing contracts explains what to look for in an agreement. The Writers' Union of Canada is also a great source for lawyers that you can connect with through its legal assistance resources.
They fail to deliver services
After receiving payment, the company stops responding to you, or gives excuses instead of updates on project progress. Deliverables are missed. Royalty payments are never received.
You can also consult the Authors Guild's list of publishers to avoid when researching a publisher's reputation.
2) Look up the company
Known scams are listed on scam prevention sites.
Legitimate companies with poor reputation for quality and delivery are often discussed on reddit threads or other online forums.
3) Stop payments and protect financial accounts
If you suspect that you have been scammed, stop paying the company. Change any passwords that have been shared, and do not share any more personal information until you have verified the scam.
Contact your bank to let them know that you suspect fraud.
4) Save contracts, receipts, messages, and website screenshots
Save any evidence of fraudulent activity. Take screenshots of websites and social media accounts. Write down an account of your interaction with the company.
5)Secure accounts and check publishing rights
Review your contract to see what your publishing rights are. Does the company have exclusive rights to your book? What is their termination clause?
6) Report suspected fraud to the appropriate authorities
In Canada you can report fraud to the Canada Anti Fraud Centre
7) Get legal advice if copyright or contract rights are at risk
Contact a lawyer for support and legal advice.
Need support? Working with a writing coach who can help guide you through the process of writing and publishing your book is the best way to avoid costly mistakes from the start.
As your writing coach, I help you at any stage in your writing journey. Whether you are developing an idea, editing your book, or looking for support with publishing, I meet you where you are at.
FAQ
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Watch for warning signs such as unexpected offers, pressure to pay quickly, unclear contracts, unrealistic promises, and services that are never delivered. Research the company and review its agreement before making a commitment.
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Traditional publishers generally cover publication costs and pay authors through royalties or advances. Hybrid publishers and vanity presses may charge authors for services, but fees and responsibilities should be clearly explained in the contract.
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Stop making payments until you've investigated the situation. Save your contract, receipts, and correspondence, contact your bank if you've paid under suspicious circumstances, and report suspected fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
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Copyright ownership and publishing rights depend on your agreement and the circumstances. Review your contract carefully to understand which rights you've granted, whether they're exclusive, and how you can terminate the agreement. Consider seeking legal advice if you're concerned.
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Some legitimate publishing services require upfront payments. Before paying, confirm what the fee covers, which services you'll receive, what additional costs may apply, and what happens if the company fails to deliver.
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You can report suspected fraud through the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre's online reporting system. If you've lost money, contact your financial institution promptly as well.