This SCAM has just blarred in my face. The screencaptures below tell the story. This doesn’t just affect me, but EVERYONE who publishes with KDP (Amazon). I’m guessing the owners of the site ReadEveryBooks.com downloads a title, free cos they have Kindle Unlimited, then copy it to mobi file (easy to do) and offer it on their site. It says Free but that’s only to register, and to register you must give Credit Card details.
Screencapture of ReadEveryBooks.com
The report says this site has been in existence only this month
Advice on what to do now. I have tried to contact the site owners. Not possible. I have tweeted Ms Beckman to ask her to remove the tweet and advise her she’s breaking copyright. I’m about to explore KDP for a way to report. After all, they’re being ripped off too.
crispina kemp 
Is there anything I or we can do to help? I don’t have twitter.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve tried to report it to KDP/Amazon but I go round in circles cos … forms, you know. And if it doesn’t quite fit, the system rejects it.
I’m hoping the big guns will get hold of it. Meanwhile I have a list of book bloggers, I shall email them the link to this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG! Thanks so much for posting this and please keep us updated. I have two children’s books and one novella on KDP.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As I’ve just told Jen, I’m having trouble contacting KDP; the situation doesn’t quite conform to their standardised form.
However, I’ve a list of book-bloggers who might be interested in taking this up. Also, perhaps the big guys will latch to it and take it up on everyone’s behalf.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll share your post on Facebook.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. And I’ll repeat as I’ve said on other replies, I just hope I’m not seeing devils where there are none. But the untrustworthy state of the site, does give the picture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I got a comment on Facebook and thought I’d share it with you.
Most of these websites are phishing sites looking for personal information. If we should get scared to publish because of these thieves, we would never achieve our goals. Most of these sites don’t even have the books they claim to have, they just want your information.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well, as I said, I have now reported it to Twitter as a potential phishing site. I am just so naive about social media and stuff, the terminology goes way over my head
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have now reported it on twitter
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Jen Goldie – A little this, a little that, some real and some imaginings. and commented:
SCAM WRITTEN LOUD – By Crispina Kemp 3/12/2020 about her new book series THE SPINNERS GAME on Amazon
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Jen. The more coverage the better
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure! Anything I can do to try and help Crispina
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged on my Site
https://jengoldie493473930.wordpress.com/2020/03/12/scam-written-loud/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Again, thanks Jen
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is awful! I hope you find a way to resolve this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Apparently, not directly with KDP. Their standardised form isn’t geared for this. Three attempts to steer a way round it. Fourth attempt will probably induce a heart attack. 🙂
LikeLike
It’s a copyright violation. You can report the person who made the tweet to Twitter if they aren’t responding to your requests.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thank you for that. I started a twitter account a couple of years back, but am not active. I only discovered this cos I have a Google Alert set for Spinner’s Game. Up till now it’s only brought me crickets news. Then this afternoon… the tweet.
I’ll give them a day to respond, then I shall pursue further. Thing is, until my books go live on 21st March, no one can rip them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wish you good luck. I hope they respond and remove the link.
LikeLiked by 1 person
But it’s not just me. This tweeter has tweeted links for hundreds of writers and their books.
LikeLike
yes, online copyright infringement is a huge pain in the a** and something that happens so frequently that most people take aggressive measure to protect their creative content. I am not familiar with the protection measures with self-published books and how Amazon does right by its publishers so I can’t comment on that. However, I doubt people who rip off copyrighted material do so with the intention of removing it later when confronted. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take any measures. Reporting to twitter is one of the ways to go about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just hope I’m not misinterpreting the evidence. Yet that ScamDoc report doesn’t look good. This is no reputable site.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am done for today but will look into it tomorrow to check it’s credibility. First glance gave me the same impression that they post ripped off content to lure readers to their website.
LikeLike
Yea. There’s another site involved. That has a contact button… which lands you on the ReadEveryBooks site. And the only way to contact that site is to register… and leave you CC details. Are you that stupid?
LikeLike
If it asks for your credit credentials before letting you view any of the materials they say they have, then it may very well be a bluff. And usually, or, at least what I think is the logical step, is that nobody wants to go to a shady site, enter their credentials just to buy novels that have just entered the market. Unless they are from popular authors, it doesn’t make sense that people would visit here and go through the tedious process of registration. Serious readers would rather want to support the authors…I hope… though I carry no torch of optimism for people’s mentality.
LikeLike
Well, I have now reported it to the company that hosts the site. I have received an email to say they will investigate. They have given it high priority… so they say.
LikeLike
Good. That’s quite a headway in a matter of minutes. If they don’t do anything, there are other ways to approach this problem. But I do want to caution you that there are too many of these websites and it’s like dealing with a Lernaean hydra. Cut off one head and another replaces it.
LikeLike
Yea, I know. Just hoping if they get their fingers bitten with me this once, they might decide to give me a wide berth in future. Yea, well, I always was a Polyanna! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😄 good. There is too much cynicism in the world anyway.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
The other site links via Twitter: we-books.ga
It’s like a forum. Quote:
Hey there, anyone has Lake of Dreams (The Spinners Game Book 2) – Crispina Kemp (Ebook), searched all the web couldn’t find anywhere.
And an answer:
Here is the =>> Link <<= , was searching for it myself, found only on this fileshare. most popular formats available PDF, ePub, Mobi, TXT, azw, djv and AudioBook.
And guess where the link takes you. ReadEveryBooks.com
But hey, I'm getting coverage. Seems someone wants to buy my book 🙂
LikeLike
Is there a date for the comments? Were they posted the day the link for your books was posted? They might be fake. Just to show other visitors that people are taking interest. If they are real, it is one way to get the word out about your book though. Now that you are on twitter, you can also do a little self advertising about your books. There are many folks there that help support new coming writers.
LikeLike
The first comment is dated 6th March, as is the reply. Two days later, in answer to a query of why the CC is required, a Senior Member of the forum says:
CC just to make sure you aren’t bot
Hmm, indeed.
And I’ve had a twitter since early 2018. But I couldn’t get on with it. I debated closing it but… I’m aware it could be useful.
LikeLike
I am really, and I mean really, bad at the art of self advertising so I can’t say much about it. Just that, from what I have read and seen people do, social media tends to most of the heavy lifting in promoting your creative pieces. In case of self-publishing, you also need to focus on self-promotion. But you already know that. Try to connect with like minded writers whenever time permits is all I’ll say on the topic. Rest, I know you can figure out. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. yea. That was the original reason. I shall do a twitter push… once I’m live on Amazon. Just got to get my head around it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As always, my good wishes, love and light your way!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thank you. I’ll keep you informed 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looking forward to it. 🙂
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
BTW, if you check out Eunice Beckman, you’ll find I follow her. I wanted to keep an eye on her activities
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good instinct.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The only reason I keep the notifications on is so I know if I get a mention. The answer is no. Until today.
BTW, the tweet went out on 10th March.
LikeLike
So it all happened within a week. The comments and the mention. Have you heavily promoted your books on other social platforms that might have made people interested in getting their hands on an illegal copy? If I were you I would keep an eye on that website and keep checking their forums. See how many comments it keeps getting about other books and the kind of response it generates. I know it sounds tedious. Have you made contact with other authors whose books they are offering for downloads. Twitter is the best way to do that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have offered The Spinner’s Child for review to several Book Bloggers. But that’s not the book that’s being offered. Sammi has promoted The Spinner’s Child on facebook, as well as WP. That’s about it. And I haven’t been through the other books yet. Can’t do it tonight. I must come off the computer now else I won’t be able to sleep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm… Let’s leave it for tomorrow. Take rest and don’t worry. It’s going to be alright. Good night!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
There should be a way to report the website that lists your books for free download. Since they too must have a kindle account to gain access to your content, once reported, it can be suspended. Take screen shots of the website’s page that mentions your books and then email it to the appropriate authority mentioned on KDP. I have only taken a cursory glance at it but seems like a way to go.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tried that. I have to fill in a form, and the form doesn’t conform to the situation. However, I have now written to the editor of Writing News Magazine… the major writing mag in UK, giving him all the information. So I’m hoping he might pick it up. Meanwhile, unless you fill in a form stating what you had last Christmas Eve for your dinner, you can’t contact KDP
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! KDP’s forms to address customer’s grievances needs a huge makeover if you can’t even file a complaint against a possible copyright infringement against one of their users. I haven’t given it a thorough read but I still think there must be a way to reach Amazon’s customer services to take some kind of precautionary measure so that the said website won’t be able to download your work given that they intend to sell/use it illegally.
LikeLike
But how do they identify the relevant persons? You can open an account on Twitter using any name. And the ReadEveryBooks site doesn’t list a name… which is the alarming point. So how does KDP identify this person? Yet to accept my complaint they wanted to know stuff that relates to companies, not to the independant lone writer. Example:
Are you the Owner of the Intellectual Property or an Authorized Agent:
Your Company Name:
Your Name (First and Last name):
Your Job Title:
Your Phone Number:
Available Contact Day and Time:
Rights Owner Business Name:
Rights Owner Contact Name (First and Last name):
Rights Owner Job Title:
Rights Owner Phone Number:
Rights owner Address:
Rights Owner URL:
Business Tax ID
That last is a killer.
LikeLike
Yeah, that last one’s been designed so that you give up all hope…to live! Seriously, what a headache!
You can find out the site’s domain owner and sometimes, if you’re lucky and the owner is dumb, even contact information using
WhoIs database. Did you try it?
LikeLike
No. I’m about to. Thanks.
LikeLike
Thank you for that. I have just sent an email to their abuse@ email address. And I see I’ve just got a reply. Probably an automated response.
LikeLike
Great! I hope it works out. I hope they remove the links. See also – how to report a fraud website.
You might find links where you can file a report against the website owners and force them to take it down. The cyber laws in UK are, for now, seem to be following the European legal framework so I don’t think you’ll have to search any UK specific authority. But I might be wrong. If that person doesn’t respond encouragingly, then this will be one option to consider.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The EU office for internet copyright does its own trawling. They’ll find it independant of me, but I’m helping by making it loud.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have now reported it to Twitter
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good. Hope they take down the account. It won’t do much good because usually these are fake accounts and they keep cropping up. Still, something’s better than nothing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Anything that alerts the perps to folks being onto them, will satisfy me. But more so, to let others know it’s happening
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Horrible. Maddening. Frustrating. Thanks for making us all aware about this Scam. I hope you get some action from KDP.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I doubt it. I had to come away, their form requirements were confusing me. But I do have 30 days to return to it. So… I shall try again. Trouble is, that form is designed for companies. What is my job position? etc.
LikeLike
I have no reported it to Twitter
LikeLike
Thanks for the heads-up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The more people know of it… I just hope I’ve not overreacted and seen devils where they are none. But that ScamDoc report does tend seal it
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have now reported it on twitter
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is terrible. I hope who you can get through to Amazon before yours go live. I am thinking they will grab a title that will end them up in hot water- but better sooner than later.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. I’m slowly trying all avenues. Magazines, book bloggers, hoping someone will pick it up. And I shojd be so lucky that someone will want to buy mine. It’s not even the first book!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A horror… Thanks for tell us about this. I suggest you go on KDP (Amazon) and request a “call back” by phone and address the issue in person as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would follow your advice… if I could find a way to it. But, regardless, although to alert them is good practice, as I’ve argued elsewhere, they have no way to identify the perpetrator.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Log into KDP
Click HELP button at top
Scroll down HELP page and on bottom left you’ll find a CONTACT US button
On that page you’ll click OTHER (in place of choosing one of their help posts)
There you’ll be able to explain problem and request an EMAIL or CALL BACK from a KDP rep
Good luck all around!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I shall try this, I thank you for your help. Though, as I have said in other comments, I’m not sure KDP can do anything. If all the books offered are as yet on pre-order (those I’ve checked out are) then as yet no copyright crime has been committed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sharing with my followers, Crispina!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. This is no longer about me, and about books. This is Credit Card fraud.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep! Got it! Too many scammers in the world. Where’s the karma!?
LikeLiked by 1 person
But we do not know what’s been around that’ll come around for them 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, I agree. It seems every day there are new scams and it’s annoying. I worked hard and made an honest living before I retired and it angers me to see jerks take advantage of others.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I echo that… loudly 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Eugi's Causerie and commented:
For those of us that publish via KDP/Amazon, this may be of interest –
LikeLike
Thanks. But as in my first comment, the real danger here is Credit Card fraud 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My posts from WordPress automatically post to Twitter. My reblog of this post is on Twitter now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s good. It seems to be where they’re drawing their customers from. I have an account, but not used it these past two years, not not exactly heavy with followers.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Can you DRM protect your book? It makes it a lot harder to rip your book off a Kindle Unlimited description (though probably not impossible).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your thoughts. Thursday’s post was my immediate reaction… pre-deep thought. Having investigated further and thought it through, I see this less of a case of piracy and copyright infringement, and more a matter of credit card fraud and identity theft. In other words, our books are being used as bait. The real victims are the gulliable idiots who fall for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s still terrible!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes, that’s why I want to publicise it. Not for myself. For others
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a crowd of low-lifes are out there, hey? They might have my books too, where they are under KU.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think they’re not intending to download the books. As soon as they do, they commit the crime. What they’re after is credit card details.
LikeLiked by 1 person
But I can’t swear to that.
You could check that twitter account, scroll through the countless authors, to see if you’re included
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will do that. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy to help 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
How awful. I have published with KDP too.😖
LikeLiked by 1 person
On further investigation, I’m pretty sure the scam isn’t piracy and copyright infringement, but identity theft and credit card fraud. Which doesn’t make it all right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😖
LikeLiked by 1 person