Online Fraud – How Authors Are Being Targeted by Scams, AI & Digital Predators

Описание: Online Fraud – How Authors Are Being Targeted by Scams, AI & Digital Predators

Online fraud is exploding—and authors are prime targets.

In this eye-opening episode of Author U - Your Guide to Book Publishing, publishing expert Judith Briles sits down with cybersecurity insider and bestselling author Charles Breakfield to expose the online scams, fake book clubs, AI-generated emails, DocuSign fraud, review scams, and social-engineering cons flooding authors’ inboxes right now.

If you’ve ever received an email praising your book, offering “guaranteed reviews,” promising bookstore orders, media features, or urgent DocuSign requests—this episode could save you thousands of dollars.

What you’ll learn:
Why authors are being aggressively targeted by online scammers
How AI has supercharged publishing and marketing fraud
Red flags that instantly reveal fake book clubs, PR firms, and review schemes
How DocuSign and email impersonation scams really work
How scammers steal trust before they steal your money
Practical steps to protect your books, brand, and bank accounts

If you publish books, market online, or use email and social media, you need this episode.

Watch now to protect yourself before you get burned.

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Why authors are prime targets for online scams
02:40 – The rise of AI-powered fraud in publishing
05:45 – Fake book clubs & event invitations exposed
09:50 – Review scams, “tip jars,” and Amazon violations
14:25 – Gmail addresses, fake identities & email red flags
17:20 – PR, marketing & media feature scams targeting authors
22:10 – Fake bulk bookstore orders explained
27:10 – DocuSign fraud & malware attacks
31:45 – Real financial losses authors are facing
35:40 – Crypto, impersonation & deepfake scams
42:00 – Wi-Fi, NFC & phone security risks
49:00 – Final advice: verify, don’t trust