Youtube Scams?

[C.B., Beach Body Moderator]

I stumbled across a Youtube video today about my book today. Well, it was a 'livestream' that is scheduled to happen on September 20th - So I guess I missed it. I have no idea what - if anything - happened on that date.

There was no video, just a link in the description to read the novel for free. I did not click it, as I am sure it is scamtastical, but I did report it to YouTube.

Has this ever happened to anyone else?

I had no idea my life after publishing would become so full of people attempting to bait me. I should have just written a fishing book.

[Christina]

I just had a friend point out the same thing to me. It's a pain in the ass to report though. Did they ask for your personal info?

Edit: by "they" I mean YouTube

[C.B., Beach Body Moderator]

YouTube hasn't gotten back to me as of yet. I was in my account at the time though, they may have just used that for the information.

It is a terrible pain though. Most of the fake sites seem to disappear after a few days at least.

DISCLAIMER: Never click on anything anywhere fellow authors!

[Christina]

They wanted my name and address to report a copyright violation. Wasn't worth it to me on a video that had three views.

[Justin]

Now there's scams on YouTube? gees...some people just can't seem to help themselves.

[C.B., Beach Body Moderator]

April wrote: "I remember (sadly) a couple of television series I loved that were abruptly abandoned after ending the previous seasons on huge cliffhangers. :(

Developing a writing career takes years in most cas..."

It really feels like this is in the wrong topic. ^_^

[Christina]

Yep. I think April was looking for the trilogy thread a few doors down. ;)

That's okay, I told the other mods free booze in the break room was going to cause some confusion.

[April]

C.B. wrote: "April wrote: "I remember (sadly) a couple of television series I loved that were abruptly abandoned after ending the previous seasons on huge cliffhangers. :(

Developing a writing career takes yea..."

LOL. Yep. Wrong topic! My bad.

[Nicole]

I have filed 6 complaints against these things on YouTube. YouTube has responded every time and taken every one of the offending videos down, but you have to keep on it. You have to keep filing. It's a pain, yes, but no one is going to defend your property if you don't do it.

[Ian]

I've had this with my business books but they seem to be more a link to a scam site with a trojan in wait.

[C.B., Beach Body Moderator]

Thanks for the insights everyone!

Good to know I have more to keep an eye open for! :)

[Ian]

I haven't seen anything Youtube-related, but when I Google my book's title I sometimes see it mentioned on sites offering free e-books. I'm pretty sure they're just trying to tempt people into giving email addresses or personal information.

[Clayton]

Thanks for sharing this. I had no idea this type of scam even existed.

[Micah]

I think I'm going to start a scam business targeted at people who want to do scams. Tell them I'll do free scams on youtube and fake pirate download sites. All they have to do is create an account on my web site which requires they give me their credit card or bank info.

Wait...that won't work, they'd just give me cc and bank info from people they've already scammed...DANG! It's not easy being a crook!

[Nicole]

Still, I commend the vigilante in you, Micah.