Our computers are smart.

They are also tricky, conniving, and misrepresent just who is behind those messages that have begun to sneak into my Inbox.

This week alone, I got three emails with logos and titles representing writing/publishing groups—ones I’d never heard of before.

The little crawlers can see what I have written, what I purchase, what information I am looking for, etc. Then, the people behind them, create fake websites and offer either free or deeply discounted services and products for authors.

Before you agree to anything, check out the names behind the logos and business names online. More often than not, a SCAM ALERT will come up. And, if it doesn’t, give it a day or two and check again. It could be that other authors/writers have been scammed by them and it is only now beginning to show up.