How Writers Can Protect Themselves from Scams

From fake literary agents to sketchy freelance gigs, scammers often prey on writers who are eager to get published or land a dream job. As a beginner, you might not recognize the red flags right away.

That’s okay! Let’s break it all down: what to watch out for, how to stay safe, and where to go for help.

Why Scams Are on the Rise

I recently received a message on LinkedIn asking about an opportunity I knew nothing about. After some snooping, I discovered someone using my name and photo to trick others into a scam! They literally downloaded my picture and pasted it on a Telegram account.

The digital world has made communication a lot easier. But it’s also created an environment where scammers thrive. With anonymity and global reach, it’s easier than ever for fraudsters to lure victims. 

Often, scammers target writers due to their passion, hope, and unfamiliarity with industry practices. Recognizing this risk is the first step toward protecting yourself.

Common Scams Targeting Writers

Here is a list of common scams you should watch out for. Seem familiar?

Publishing Scams

• Fake Literary Agents: These scammers charge upfront fees to “represent” you, but they’ll never send your work to real publishers.
• Vanity Publishers: They promise to publish your book but require huge payments. Example: A writer pays $10,000 for editing, marketing, and distribution, only to find out the company’s books are never stocked in stores.
• Bogus Writing Contests: Some contests charge high entry fees and don’t deliver prizes or exposure.
• Bogus Grants: Writers are notified they’ve won a grant or award but must pay a processing fee or share personal banking information to claim their prize.
• Fake Crowdsourcing or Collaborations: Writers are invited to contribute to a project but are asked to pay a “reading fee,” “editing fee,” or even a “participation fee.” Or they submit their work, only to see it monetized by others.

Freelance Job Scams

• Non-Paying Clients: These clients ghost you after you’ve delivered the work.
• Free Trial Scams: They ask for unpaid “samples” that turn into full assignments.
• Phishing Attempts: Fake job offers that ask for sensitive information like your bank details.
• Content Theft: Scammers accept your work, then publish it under someone else’s name without paying or crediting you.

How to Spot a Scam

Before you get involved with any opportunity, look for these red flags:

• Big Promises, Little Detail: “Become a bestseller overnight!” or “Guaranteed success!” are red flags.
• Upfront Payments: Legitimate publishers, agents, and clients don’t ask for money to work with you.
• Unprofessional Communication: Poor grammar, vague replies, or no official email address can signal trouble.
• Pressure Tactics: If they’re rushing you to sign a contract or make a decision, think twice.
• Lack of Online Presence: A quick search should reveal their credentials. If you can’t find them, it’s a warning sign.
• Unclear Payment Terms: Avoid clients or publishers who can’t provide a straightforward explanation of how and when you’ll be paid. If they do, it’s going to be complicated, with odd procedures.

How To Protect Yourself

Here are some steps to avoid or protect yourself from scammers.

1. Research everything.

• Do a background check on the publisher, agency, or client. Start with a Google search. Look for legitimate, or trusted sources like a company website or LinkedIn.
• Type their name with the word “scam” and see if anything pops up.
• Check reviews and ratings on review platforms, online forums, and other sources. See what other people are saying about them.

2. Verify credentials.

• Ask for references or past client lists. Legitimate professionals should have no problem sharing.
• Some companies maintain public directories of their employees, freelancers, or collaborators. Check whether the individual you’re speaking with is listed.
• If the company has no such list, reach out to them directly using the contact information on their official website to confirm the person’s affiliation.
• Cross-check all details. For example, ensure the credentials provided match the profiles or information available on platforms like LinkedIn, company websites, or professional portfolios.
• If they’ve shared a personal website, check that it’s professionally designed and includes verifiable contact information. Then, compare it with other sources.
• Be cautious of scammers who use stolen identities. They might lift names and photos from legitimate profiles to appear credible.
• Don’t bother with people asking to communicate through Telegram or WhatsApp. Scammers love these platforms because it’s easy to create and delete accounts. Legitimate companies typically communicate via corporate email addresses.

3. Protect your work.

• Save any proof of ownership. Some easy ones are time stamps, contracts, email threads, and raw files.
• Use watermarks when submitting samples if possible. Or provide read-only files. Google Drive has a feature for sharing restricted files.
• If you’re working on a platform like Upwork, never go off-platform. It’s likely against the terms of service (TOS) and you lose the protection of the platform.

4. Read your contract carefully.

• Never sign anything you don’t fully understand. If possible, have a lawyer review it.
• Avoid contracts that make you pay upfront or demand all rights to your work without proper compensation.
• Look for contracts that clearly outline payment terms, project scope, and deadlines.

5. Secure payments.

• Use trusted platforms like Wise, PayPal, or go bank-to-bank.
• Request partial payment upfront for freelance gigs.
• Be cautious unless you’ve established a healthy, professional relationship. Some scammers will bait you with easy payments at first to gain your trust. Then they disappear after making you do a larger project.
• Avoid clients who insist on unconventional payment methods like gift cards.
• Avoid payment methods from P2P apps (Venmo, Zelle, Cash App), wire transfers, and crypto. They have limited protection and can be difficult to trace. The first two are meant for people who trust each other, not strangers. Crypto is currently in a gray area that scammers love to take advantage of.

6. Join a community.

• Connect with other writers through forums or social media groups. They often share warnings about scams.
• Participate in events where you can discuss industry norms and expectations.

7. Use reputable job boards.

• Established job boards like Upwork, ProBlogger, or Reedsy vet job postings. A few can still slip through. When that happens, rely on the platform’s terms of service (TOS) for protection. These policies often include dispute resolution, payment protection, and guidelines for reporting suspicious activity, giving you an extra layer of security.
• Avoid sites with generic postings and vague job descriptions.
• Some writing communities also share opportunities or have dedicated job boards for their members. These communities often vet job postings with the same care they use to screen their members. Still, always err to the side of caution.

8. Trust your gut.

• If something feels off, don’t proceed. It’s better to walk away than risk losing time, money, and effort.
• The tips above are only a starting point. Scammers improve their methods the more people become aware of them. Always do your research, learn more about the industry, and trust your gut.

Resources for Writers

These are a few places you can go to learn more about scams:

• Writer Beware: A group that tracks and raises awareness about scams and other forms of exploitation in the publishing industry.
• r/Scams: A Reddit community where people share and analyze scams. Well-moderated, with plenty of information on various scams.
• The Authors Guild: America’s oldest and largest organization for writers. Offers legal advice and resources.
• Established communities focused on writers. They’re great for advice, warnings, and other helpful information. See if you have any local ones.

Have you dealt with scammers before? Share your thoughts below!

If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:

• Author Beware: How to Avoid Getting Scammed by a Publisher
• What Is a Vanity Press? 5 Signs You’re Heading for a Scam