Scammers

[Fisher0001]

Is there a way I can tell scammers from actual users of this website? I uploaded my story three days ago and have had two people DM me and it turned out it was scammers.

 

[Kay_Ship]

If their profile is new and they want to talk on another site are surefire ways to tell.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

Ask them details about the story, and if they don't know, assume it is a scammer.

 

[ConansWitchBaby]

Copy/Pasted responses. There is a thread or ten here with examples.

 

[Arkus86]

Generic praise without anything specific is immediately suspicious.
If they leave the same comment under a dozen different stories, it's a scam.
If they offer art, advertising or other services, it's a scam.
If they offer to talk through another platform, it's a scam.

 

[Racosharko]

90% of unsolicited offers of goods and services are scams.

 

[FieryLou]

You can basically ignore all people offering you something that sounds too good. The chances are soooo slim.

 

[akif313]

You can spot scammers fast if their messages sound rushed or push for off-site contact. Real users don’t ask for money or private info. Report and block them right away.

 

[Worthy39]

I once had a person try talking to me about the protagonist after commenting on chapter 64... they thought the protagonist's name was Code. There is nobody named Code in the story.

 

[JayMark]

I once had a person try talking to me about the protagonist after commenting on chapter 64... they thought the protagonist's name was Code. There is nobody named Code in the story.

This happened to me on Wattpad. They described a scene from another story. And I responded by making shit up as well.

 

[Hush25]

I'm new too and have had the same experience. It's a bit demoralising to realise comments are not new fans, but just scams. I keep getting offers to draw my characters, despite the fact my profile states I'm a graphic artist irl.

 

[ThisAdamGuy]

Woooow, Fisher0001! You are such talented writer that your story moves me to feel emotion! Please send DM to my account so we can discussion because I desperately want to art for you!

 

[Worthy39]

This happened to me on Wattpad. They described a scene from another story. And I responded by making shit up as well.

I just called them a clanker.

 

[CinnaSloth]

Expect anyone Dm'ing you to just be a scammer. Unless, you personally know them in some way.

If they were really a reader, they'd put their words in the comments, or in a review so everyone could see. Otherwise, they aren't worth interacting with. Most (Not all) readers are non-interaction types: Introverts, or homebodies; They aren't going to interact, unless you ask them to directly, or interact with them through the forums (I mean- look above this post. I'm sure there's more interaction here than on any individual page's comment section. At least, that's true enough for me).

Being forced to go elsewhere so they feel "comfortable" is stupid. This is your home-base, this is your office, your HQ; Whatever they have to say, can be said here, or nowhere at all. Does that sound cold, and heartless? Yes. but it shouldn't matter because scammers have no heart. Screw them for trying to screw with you first.

I learned the hard way, you shouldn't have to, but, sadly, we all do.

There's a reason the "lonesome" cliche of writers is them secluded, and alone in some far away cabin, or in some dark, desolate mansion in order to write their books is a thing. -- > Because there are plenty of annoying a-holes that need to be, and should be, ignored.

 

[LightHikari]

They are even leaving reviews now. I got a review from a scammer on Webnovel.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

They are even leaving reviews now. I got a review from a scammer on Webnovel. View attachment 42698

"Hey! Sounds cool. Send me a couple of pages, at least one draft and one finished. If I like what I see, you have permission to sell the finished book and give me 50 - no, forty percent of the net. I'll have my lawyer send along a contract as soon as I see those pages, ok?"

 

[LightHikari]

"Hey! Sounds cool. Send me a couple of pages, at least one draft and one finished. If I like what I see, you have permission to sell the finished book and give me 50 - no, forty percent of the net. I'll have my lawyer send along a contract as soon as I see those pages, ok?"

"Hope to hear from you soon!"

 

[JayMark]

They are even leaving reviews now. I got a review from a scammer on Webnovel. View attachment 42698

When it's a five star out of five.

 

[sage61]

Woooow, Fisher0001! You are such talented writer that your story moves me to feel emotion! Please send DM to my account so we can discussion because I desperately want to art for you!

I've seen this type of comments in fanfiction all the time. They really never stop spamming in there.

 

[Arkus86]

Expect anyone Dm'ing you to just be a scammer. Unless, you personally know them in some way.

If they were really a reader, they'd put their words in the comments, or in a review so everyone could see. Otherwise, they aren't worth interacting with. Most (Not all) readers are non-interaction types: Introverts, or homebodies; They aren't going to interact, unless you ask them to directly, or interact with them through the forums (I mean- look above this post. I'm sure there's more interaction here than on any individual page's comment section. At least, that's true enough for me).

Being forced to go elsewhere so they feel "comfortable" is stupid. This is your home-base, this is your office, your HQ; Whatever they have to say, can be said here, or nowhere at all. Does that sound cold, and heartless? Yes. but it shouldn't matter because scammers have no heart. Screw them for trying to screw with you first.

I learned the hard way, you shouldn't have to, but, sadly, we all do.

There's a reason the "lonesome" cliche of writers is them secluded, and alone in some far away cabin, or in some dark, desolate mansion in order to write their books is a thing. -- > Because there are plenty of annoying a-holes that need to be, and should be, ignored.

Hey, that's not true! In my nearly six years on this site, I did contact a single author through DMs who did not message me first!
But then again, I have two numbers at the end of my name, which makes me at least 50% likely to be a bot...