Let me begin with a new scam that is unrelated to blogging or publishing. It’s a scam that comes via a voicemail message on mobile phones.
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve had the same call and message saying, ‘Please add my number to WhatsApp.’ Each time, the number the scammer uses is slightly different, but it’s always the voice of the same woman.
Thanks to Apple’s advanced AI, my phone now does a great job at identifying spam calls and sends them straight to voicemail. It doesn’t even ring. The spammers’ numbers then show in my call list, which I mark as ‘Spam – Delete and send details to Apple.’ I should add that since I enabled AI on my phone, the number of spam calls I receive has dropped significantly.
The latest Blogging scams
Recently, I encountered a concerning blogging email scam. It purportedly originated from WordPress, claiming that my payment details were incorrect in my account and included a link for me to click to rectify them.
I immediately recognised the email as fraudulent because the email failed to address me by name. All it said was ‘Dear WordPress User,’ But what alarmed me was that the same scammer went on to also send me the same email through the ‘Contact Hugh‘ form on my blog, neglecting to begin the message with ‘Dear Hugh.’ It’s important to note that I request anyone using the form to begin their message with ‘Dear Hugh,’ as this practice helps identify potential spam, particularly from automated spam bots.
I don’t know how the scammer obtained my email address, but it must have appeared on a list with some connection to WordPress. This is likely how they discovered I had a WordPress blog, although nowhere on my blog do I provide an email address. Anyone wanting to contact me must go via the ‘Contact Hugh’ form.
Although this was an easy scam for me to spot, I still feel bad for any blogger who falls for it. If you are unsure whether an email from WordPress is genuine, always log in to your WordPress account to verify any details. Never click on any uninvited links and never give an email address anywhere on your blog.
However, more concerning was news of a blogging scam that involved using royalty-free platforms, such as Pixabay. Author, writer and blogger Jacqueline Lambert left a comment on my recent post, Where To Legally Source Amazing Images For Your Blog Posts.’ outlining how she was almost scammed by a company after using a royalty-free image from Pixabay on one of her posts.
I strongly encourage you to read Jacqueline’s insightful post ‘Bloggers Beware The Copyright Trolls – Even If You Use Royalty-Free Images‘ to glean valuable lessons from her experience. It is imperative to remain vigilant and not become a target of such scams that specifically seek to exploit bloggers.
I would also like to reiterate that downloading and publishing copyrighted images or photographs on your blog is strictly prohibited. Always verify that such materials are free for use. This also applies to reblogging blog posts from other bloggers that contain images or photos. If you share copyrighted images from another blogger’s post, you could be fined.
A plea to you – yes, you!
Despite my recent post addressing copyright infringement, I continue to observe bloggers (you know who you are) using images and photos in their posts without proper attribution regarding their sources. They probably believe that nobody will come after them for downloading and using copyrighted images, but I know of two bloggers who have been fined for doing so. Never believe that it will never happen to you.
Even if the images and photos are your own, I recommend that you indicate in your post that they are your property. If you don’t believe me, read Jacqueline’s post. As she elaborates, numerous companies are employing image recognition technology to scan the internet for unauthorised use of images and photographs, especially in blogging posts. Some bloggers have even been threatened with legal action and fines for using their own pictures.
The latest publishing scam
My thanks again to Jacqueline, who recently published a guest post by author Peter Barber about a publishing scam he fell for. Titled ‘Publish and Be Damned: How I Got Scammed, Learned My Lesson, and Came Out Fighting‘, Peter details how he fell head-over-heels for a scam many authors will probably encounter at some point in their writing lives. I urge you to read his post and learn from it because it could happen to you.
Are you aware of any current scams related to blogging or publishing? Please share details in the comments section. Have you ever fallen victim to a blogging or publishing scam? If so, what happened?
The featured image on this blog post is sourced from Pixabay. AI reviewed spelling and grammar errors.
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Thanks, Hugh, for reaffirming what I thought! I won’t risk it, but am surprised how many people do post song lyrics on their blogs regularly.
Thanks for this info Hugh – it was very informative.
Good to hear. Glad it helped, Linda.
It did Hugh – too much scamming nonsense going on everywhere these days.
Thank you for always keeping us informed about the scams and spammers in the Blogosphere, Hugh. 🙏 I read Jacqueline’s post and was horrified by her ordeal, and the fact that even using your own images can lead to copyright infringement claims! 😲 And thank you also for re-emphasizing the risk of using others’ images without permission, as well as warning against publishing an email address. It’s surprising how many bloggers still do that.
What’s your take on song lyrics? Everything I’ve read states that reproducing lyrics is copyright infringement, yet many music bloggers do so regularly. There’s even a weekly blog hop that encourages it. I wonder if anyone has ever been called out for that, that you know of? I’m asking, because I was interested in joining, but, since my site is self-hosted (and therefore considered “professional” – which is a joke, when I “earn” maybe a couple of dollars here and there from on site adverts – I chose to be cautious and abstain.
Hi Debbie, I’ve seen those blog posts that contain song lyrics, too. While it is not illegal to publish song lyrics online, doing so without the copyright holder’s permission is copyright infringement and can lead to legal consequences. Song lyrics are protected by copyright, and posting them without a license is illegal unless a specific exception, like a very limited “fair use,” applies. You have to get permission from the songwriter and/or publisher to legally publish song lyrics. I’d recommend staying well clear of publishing any song lyrics on your posts, as well as leaving any comments on blog posts that contain them.
I’ve seen a lyrics blog challenge and shake my head whenever I see it or bloggers participating in it, and including song lyrics in their posts. It’s definitely a no-no. I’m not aware of anyone ever being fined for copyright infringement of song lyrics, but I’d never risk it because I believe it will never happen.
Hi Debbie, I’ve seen the song lyric challenges, too, and I don’t even click on or “like” these for fear of supporting this practice. Like Hugh says, you need express permission to publish others lyrics on your blog. Oddly, song titles are free to use! There was a song lyric challenge on Bluesky and I warned the host about infringement and her answer was snarky “we’ve always done this and it’s never been an issue.” Oh well! Continue to abstain, Debbie, and be careful of sharing those lyric challenges posts to social media.
Thanks, Terri! I have now done extensive reading on the subject and concur with your findings. I even pointed this out to the person running the blog challenge, but he sloughed off my concerns, saying nobody cared about what’s on a non-professional blog. 🤔 Maybe not, but why take a chance? And since my site is self-hosted and considered “professional”, I sure won’t be!
That’s a shame, Debbie, sadly those are the blogs that pay dearly if caught. AI is available to us all to scan for copyright infringement. Not that I know how to do so, but why take any chances? Hi Hugh! 😀
Thank you for this, Hugh. Most of my images of from, Pixabay, and though I give credit, this is worrisome. I am going to start using AI for my images.
It is worrying, but providing you’re 100% sure you’re not doing anything wrong, I’d continue, Eugi. I’m still using Pixabay, although not as much as I used to, mainly just for featured images.
Thank you, Hugh. I’m getting more in tune with AI images, and enjoying it.
The retailers’ information you provided was relevant. Thanks for informing!
We need to keep raising awareness regarding this.
As technology changes & evolves, people try bypassing the rules and regulations, illegally, for selfish purposes.
I’ve had content stolen from my blog and appear on other blogs. Unbelievably, some of the thieves forget to remove the copyright information I add at the end of my posts.
I must be getting more informed on this.
This is unfortunate, Hugh.
I do believe we need to have control on our blog.
I do remember visiting some blogs where you can’t copy a written text. It’s technically not possible. That’s a better precaution I guess.
You can only read the text, but can’t copy.
We’re already observing the AI race. It’s hard to keep our original content limited to ourselves. Someone will get it if they wish.
Do take care for the next time.
Yes, I have seen that on websites, too, but it doesn’t seem to be available on WordPress yet. Hopefully, they will introduce it one day.
Last month I received a scam call, here in India. I was aware of their pattern so it was easy to identify them.
But when they pronounced my name and email ID, also calling me on my main contact number, I surely get a huge anxiety. I disconnected the call after six minutes, though they were enough to make me question — my use of all online services, and whole Internet.
This caller got my details from the GPay (Google pay) app.
A week after this call scam I received an email from Google, which reveals my name and email id was found on the darknet.
Now I never used darknet. I don’t know how it works. I’m not interested.
But I have no idea how my personal information was LEAKED.
It sounds like a website you used on the Internet was hacked, and the hackers got your GPay details, which they then sell on the darknet to scammers. I hear of it happening quite a lot. Some retailers here in the UK were hacked in the spring of this year, and customers’ details were harvested by the hackers. For security, customers were advised by the retailers that were hacked to change their passwords. Unfortunately, the hacking of websites, especially of big companies, for a ransom, seems to be more commonplace now that many people shop and bank online more.
1. Actually the leaking of the personal details was in May 2023.
So far I haven’t signed up for a random less known website, on a browser.
I used the popular websites only; they include social media and government websites mostly.
If my information was leaked then probably more people’s information was leaked.
I recently turned on a particular setting on Gmail account which informs you about the dark net activities regarding your account.
So you are advised to change the password. I did that.
2. The scammer call is completely different. A user’s name, phone number and UPI ID (which contains gmail id) are visible to anyone.
They(Google) allow this so any person can search your name or UPI ID and pay you. In India UPI System is the major online payment system.
So what callers do is that they search for random number or ID. And creating a fake drama that they are the police.
Usually old age people become their victims.
I have turned off the visibility of my name and number, at present.
It happens here in the UK, too. And usually it is the older generation who fall victim.
Thank you for this post as I have a lot of people writing to my blog as well and I find it hard to respond sometimes few have asked to even publish on my blog and iam terrified of that.
I wouldn’t allow anyone to guest post on your blog unless they are a regular reader who engages with you on your posts regularly. I get requests all the time to write guest posts that come through my ‘Contact Hugh’ form, but they never start the message with ‘Dear Hugh’ as stipulated on that page of my blog. I mark them all as scams. And not a single one of them has ever left me a comment or pressed ‘like’ on any of my posts.
This is a very timely post, Hugh! I’m about to update my blog site as I found changes I need to make. Copyright infringement is NO joke, as you’ve shared. Even paid sites like Canva are suspect, especially those who use pics of people (and faces) in their posts. Who really knows if the person pictured gave express permission to use their likeness, much less sell it for one US dollar to use?
Did I already tell you that I got over 30K “views” from Chinese AI bots? Although WP tells me its “normal” and harmless, it makes me wonder if this correlates with the spam emails I’m getting in my email account? Who knows what the algorithms are being created to create new AI images that might end up being a copyright infringement??
Is there wording you recommend we can place on our blogs and posts that the images are our own, etc? I’ll poke around, too.
Speaking of scams, evidently my credit card was hacked and a fraudulent charge appeared. I get the email notices from my bank and knew it was false. So today, working with my bank, they discontinued my card and issued me a new one. ERG.
Hi Terri, yes, you mentioned the Chinese bots in a comment on my last post, and now another follower has told me she’s had the same problem with them. Fortunately, I don’t receive many spam emails, and any I do get are directed straight to the spam folder, although some genuine ones can also end up there. It’s a little like the WordPress comment folder. This morning, a comment from a shoe seller with links to their shop was not marked as spam by WordPress, so it was waiting in my pending queue. Why it was not identified as spam and sent straight to the spam folder is a mystery.
I now tend to use only AI images that do not include faces (like the one I used in this post). I think it’s a much safer option.
I’ve now started to state that images and photos are my own. However, I also watermark them. I think that is all that is needed, but if you do find anything, please let me know.
Credit and bank card fraud is common. I think they rely on users not checking statements or messages, but Banks have got better at alerting us these days. I often get an alert from my credit card provider when I’m online shopping, asking me if I’m trying to buy a product for a certain amount of pounds from a store’s website. I’m glad they are doing the check as it makes me feel much safer. And only this morning, I answered a call on our landline phone that claimed to be from ‘Bank Security’ (they didn’t specify the name of the bank) and instructed me to press ‘1’ to be put through to an operator. I always hang up on such calls.
Spam and scams are prevalent. Pays to be smart and a bit of a sceptic, Hugh. As for copyright info, I have a statement on my blogs sidebar and on each post. I always appreciate your thoughtful posts on blogging tips!
I saw that widget in your blog’s sidebar, Terri. It’s good to have it as it will deter some thieves, but not all of them, of course. I occasionally come across a blog that has one of my posts and nothing else. It’s a bizarre thing to do, but hopefully whoever put it there thought twice and didn’t add anything else.
Thanks, Hugh! Im glad I included it and now I have a more detailed copyright statement at the end of each post, where I added both my name and my blog’s name to the statement. I also check daily for new subscribers and delete the odd looking ones. Thank you again for your hard work in sharing these details.
Wow. Even if a picture is your own you have to attribute it? Things are really getting strange. I’m pretty careful – I’ve had a few followers that I was fairly sure were some sort of bots but if I don’t respond they drop off after a while. I will definitely let you know if I run into any scams!
Thank you. After what happened to Jacqueline, it’s recommended to state that any photos you take and use on a post are your own. You don’t need to, but it’ll certainly add an extra layer of security.
Bots have become a significant problem, although many don’t often attempt to communicate. But they’re sitting there in the background watching your every blogging move. Thankfully, unsubscribing them from your blog is now easy to do.
It is quite “scary” how good these scammers have become, especially with the magic of AI, they got incredibly good.
As a tech savy person I know what to look out for but at the same time, it got so hard to recognize them.
Make sure to always question an email or message, even if it seems to be from someone you know. Take care!
AI has become a game player, sadly, with scammers who are making good use of it to con victims out of their money. I always tell myself that if an offer seems too good to be true, then it probably is a scam.
Thanks for the heads-up about the new WP scam. I swear there is a new one every day! Hope everyone stays vigilant.
Sadly, there are new scams every day, Jan. We have to be very vigilant and ensure we stay safe while online. However, don’t let any of it take away the enjoyment.
Thank you for all of the information you shared, Hugh. Digital life becomes more and more difficult and scammers become the more creative.
Sadly, scammers are becoming increasingly clever in their use of AI to target victims. Erika. We have to be so diligent. If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is a scam.
And that is the sad part. We begin to (must) question the good things… not the bad ones. This kind of development forces skepticism against everything and everyone. Really sad!
Thank you for your latest advice, Hugh – always useful! Although not directly linked to scams, I have had a ridiculous increase in my stats. I love getting more views and visitors, but these are in the thousands, mainly from China. I will report to WordPress, but do you have any suggestions on how I could deal with this issue? I have virtually no spam, and I have adapted your wonderful contact form for my use. Thanks in anticipation.
Another blogger recently mentioned that Chinese bots are sending her blog’s stats skyrocketing in June.
It’s challenging to determine what triggers a bot to suddenly send large amounts of unwanted traffic to a particular post, but it’s typically related to a popular subject or an event currently happening in the world.
The blogger I mentioned said she’d asked WordPress about why it was happening, and their response was that it was a normal and harmless thing. The security WordPress has on its platform is some of the best, so they do a great job at protecting users. Unfortunately, it is generally a ‘user’ error when somebody claims that their blog has been hacked. The hackers will have gained access to the device in some other way, rather than via the WordPress platform. For extra security, I recommend setting up WordPress two-step verification to access your blog (if you haven’t already done so).
I hope that all helps.
Thank you so much, Hugh. I do agree that WordPress has excellent security, and it’s always reassuring to know that I am not the only blogger to have had this huge spurt in stats!
Your reply has been extremely helpful.
I had to search you up to read this Hugh and I’m so glad I did – always value in your posts. I would quite like to hear your views on the WP algorithm some time. I didn’t notice you’d disappeared off my radar for some months.
Hello. Sorry I disappeared off your radar, but I’m delighted you value my posts.
Regarding the WordPress algorithm, its security aspect is very good; however, users must ensure they are using the latest version of WordPress. If you are on WordPress.com, then WordPress automatically does the updates for you. Over the last few years, I’ve seen how WordPress take the security of its users seriously.
As for its Search and recommendation algorithms, I sometimes have to scratch my head to understand why WordPress recommends a particular blog to me. However, the use of tag words, keywords, and blog post titles certainly helps me when searching for relevant posts.
I hope that helps.
Thank you for your warnings here, Hugh. It’s terrible that there are so many scammers out there. We need to be so vigilant.
We do, Esther, but we shouldn’t allow them to spoil our enjoyment of what we love to do. It’s all about being vigilant and telling yourself that if it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.
Thanks so much for this, Hugh. I had a quick check to see if I’d listed my email anywhere and thankfully it doesn’t seem so. There are so many scams these days, you have to be so careful.
You do, Cathy. Being online comes with its disadvantages, but we never allow scammers and spammers to win.
Thank you once again for a useful and informative post, Hugh, and for spreading the word about the scams attempted on me and my friend and fellow author, Peter.
That’s a great tip about asking contacts to type ‘Dear Hugh’ on your contact form. I removed my email address from everywhere I can, and hoped that bots might struggle to complete a contact form, but clearly not!
You’re welcome, Jacqueline.
Fortunately, I have found that all spam contact forms on my blog are now directed to the spam folder since WordPress updated its anti-spam software. All of it never addresses me by name. The scammers are becoming increasingly clever, so we must remain vigilant.
Thanks again for your and Peter’s posts.
There are all sorts of scams out there! I was contacted through my blog by a very reasonable-sounding guy who wanted to help me publicize my books. I was tempted but did my due diligence first. He did have a company that looked legit, but he and the company were based in Nigeria. Red Flag!
I believe that is where many of the scams originate. It takes me back to the early days of scamming when I was contacted by a ‘Prince’ who said I was the beneficiary of a large amount of money and he’d help me get it. All he needed were my bank and passport details. He was based in Nigeria, although I’ve also received scams from many other parts of the world.
Glad you were diligent, although the scammers seem to be getting more convincing these days. ‘If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.’
Good advice, Hugh. Scams change all the time, and they usually get harder to spot. We have to stay on our toes.
Indeed, we do, Dan. And the scammers are becoming increasingly clever in their attempts to obtain our personal information or money.
@hughsviewsandnews.com Copytrack is a scam, though your main point does stand: donʼt use copyrighted material.
https://jackyan.com/blog/2024/03/copyright-trolling-another-fishy-mob-to-block/
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Sorry to hear you’ve also been a victim of them, Jack. But good to hear you have never paid them anything.