Possible scam?

[masked_maiden]

Can we turn them in?

Is there any way of turning this scammer into some one? I hate to think of any of our fellow writers getting taken in a scam like this.

 

[PennLady]

Is there any way of turning this scammer into some one? I hate to think of any of our fellow writers getting taken in a scam like this.

Best thing to do is probably to just be aware, and if you see more possible scams like this, spread the word. Tracking this down is probably more time and effort than you have available.

 

[sr71plt]

I don't think anyone has proven in any way that this is a scam. It very well could be someone inexperienced trying, in good faith, to attract content to a startup operation.

I got approached just like this by Gaydemon, for instance, when it wanted to get a massive amount of fast content to start it's website up, and everything went quite smoothly and it's big business now. (The difference, I think, is that Gaydemon was well versed in what I write--and this one was doing more scattergunning--and had pitched to a very limited number of authors.)

I don't see a reason to start taking up pitchforks on this one. Just walk away from it if you are leery or not interested.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

I did get a copy of the contract and after reading it, it did sound legit., with that said there were things I didn't agree with, so I have opted out of signing over my work.

I would suggest you get a copy of the contract, read it and go from there. Make your own decision, but read what you're agreeing to first.

 

[sr71plt]

I did get a copy of the contract and after reading it, it did sound legit., with that said there were things I didn't agree with, so I have opted out of signing over my work.

I would suggest you get a copy of the contract, read it and go from there. Make your own decision, but read what you're agreeing to first.

Mailed or sent to your cutout e-mail account? That's what is the show stopper for me.

I've been through several offers similar to this--and made money off them--often several times on the same stories.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Mailed or sent to your cutout e-mail account? That's what is the show stopper for me.

I've been through several offers similar to this--and made money off them--often several times on the same stories.

Right now, just via email. After reading what I did and seeing one thing that was the deal breaker for me, I simply opted to reject the offer.

I've only signed one contract ever for my work. I sold the rights to 17 poems.

It was mailed to me, a website was up and running, the money was sent and exclusive rights became theirs and theirs only for seven years. Whether what they were trying to do launched and made a success didn't matter. I was paid for all my work. It also could be submitted to Lit. and what I had already used on Lit. could stay too. After 7 years I retain the rights once more. I can either renew the contract or refuse it. They don't sell my work to anyone else, nor post it anywhere else without my permission.

They contacted me via Lit. much the same way this person did, and they too were very new to the game, but they came across much more willing and able to provide proof as to their intentions.

 

[geronimo_appleby]

all sounds pretty reasonable. i don't have an address other than a correspondence address while i'm out of the country. all they want is for me to open a pypal account.

anyone see any problem with what's outlined below?

Hi, we haven't decided how many of your stories we will use yet, because you have so many highly rated stories we're looking to buy at least 20, all the incest and a few others. The contract we'll be sending you will be through email for electronic signature (just type in your real name) so we won't need a physical address. Now the payment is going to be a problem. Are you not able to setup a paypal account? because this is the most convenient way for us to pay for your work, and probably the quickest way for you to receive money as well. Let me know what you would like to do . Thanks!

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

I don't see anything wrong with what you just posted. Just read every part of that contract. You're not out anything (I guess) - the stories are free now for folks, so make some money off them when/if you can. I don't know the ins/outs of paypal, just make sure your protected on your end, as far as access to your accounts.

 

[Darkniciad]

Yep. Start a new account that will only be used for the paypal account. Drop whatever the minimum is to open the account and keep it open in there, then don't add anything to it that's not directly connected to making a paypal payment, and pull any payments to you out regularly.

Disputes over payments have produced horror stories about paypal over the years. If it's not directly connected to your primary bank account, it eliminates many of the headaches that can arise.

Paypal also has a prohibition against the service being used for adult material. They could lock or cancel your account at any time if they discover that you're being paid for erotic stories through the service. People use it without problem every day for adult stuff, but all it takes is one report they can verify, and you're closed down. Then, you're wrangling to get your money back from them, and if it's connected to your primary account, that's not good.

 

[IsabellaKing]

I haven’t had an email – but with only two stories up I wouldn’t be of much interest to anyone...and I’m already selling my stuff.

There’s been a lot of complaints recently about people taking and illegally selling Lit authors work on Kindle Direct Publishing.

Just a thought, but is this person paying you a one off $8 for your stories so that they can publish and take the profit for themselves?

 

[geronimo_appleby]

I haven’t had an email – but with only two stories up I wouldn’t be of much interest to anyone...and I’m already selling my stuff.

There’s been a lot of complaints recently about people taking and illegally selling Lit authors work on Kindle Direct Publishing.

Just a thought, but is this person paying you a one off $8 for your stories so that they can publish and take the profit for themselves?

... and of course there's that green E.

hiya, bella.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

I haven’t had an email – but with only two stories up I wouldn’t be of much interest to anyone...and I’m already selling my stuff.

There’s been a lot of complaints recently about people taking and illegally selling Lit authors work on Kindle Direct Publishing.

Just a thought, but is this person paying you a one off $8 for your stories so that they can publish and take the profit for themselves?

IF you get the contract - READ IT CAREFULLY!

 

[masked_maiden]

IF you get the contract - READ IT CAREFULLY!

I have already asked this question but to even get the contract to read I need to join this website. https://www.docusign.com how ligit is this website?

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

I have already asked this question but to even get the contract to read I need to join this website. https://www.docusign.com how ligit is this website?

I have no clue. After reading the contact I didn't click any links given. If they won't email you a copy of the contract without you joining their website, I'd say screw them. Too much cloak and dagger stuff.

It took 2 emails before I was given the contract and I wasn't told I needed to join a website.

 

[masked_maiden]

I just sent them a third e-mail asking for them to e-mail me the contract and then IF i like it I will join the site. We will have to wait and see what they do.

 

[masked_maiden]

latest e-mail

I emailed them again yesterday this the response I got.

Isabella,

You dont have to sign up for that site. Once we figure out which of your stories we would like to use, we'll email you the contract from them.


On Mon, Jan 23, 2012 at 11:45 AM, Isabella Wellknitz wrote:

Hi Caroline,

I don't have an account at that website yet. could you e-mail me a copy of the contract so I can read it before I make an account so I don't waist my time.
Also alot of people are saying your a posable scam. I am hopeing you are not.

Sincerly
Isabella

 

[jane marwood]

Well I must say that when I got my email. Eight dollars took my breath away!

I just imagined. Eight dollars would be the first fee - the first recognition that one's writing was more than a pleasant idol. Of course, it is a scampy scam! But, but, but... my heart did skip a beat.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Never mind.

 

[jane marwood]

I presume after 19,910 posts that you are experienced in the way of the internet. It is a scam, isn't it?

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

I just another email, that a guy sent saying he wanted to start an erotic magazine and use my work and asked if I was published.

 

[mynameisben]

I just another email, that a guy sent saying he wanted to start an erotic magazine and use my work and asked if I was published.

Oh. Sorry. I meant that email to go to my mom.

 

[jane marwood]

Something I heard that I wanted to share. Please don't take offence as it was part of a very old stage performance.

I like the girls that do,
I like the girls that don't
I like the girl that says she will - and then she says she won't;
but the girl I like the best (and I think you'll say I'm right)
is the girl that says she never does,
but looks as though she might.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Oh. Sorry. I meant that email to go to my mom.

Next time include a picture.

 

[jane marwood]

Never mind.

Thanks Boxlicker, you got your ears covered again!

 

[Boxlicker101]

Thanks Boxlicker, you got your ears covered again!

Not my ears, my eyes. I misread your post just before mine.