Avoid Rip-offs, Scams, and Predators During the Season of Gratitude

It’s the season … deals will come at you from the left; the right, and anywhere else you can imagine. Your email will have more action than a free popcorn day at the movies. Your text stream will be hit with the baits and pitches you will scratch your head and wonder: how did “they” get my mobile number? You probably had had phone calls for some police or firefighters groups that sound important … yet if you really checked them out, only a minuscule amount goes to them. Some of these phone calls even have a fear dangling … if you don’t support the police or your local fire departments, are you sure they will be there for you when you need them? Yikes!

And then there’s are the visual perils that TV ads will hit you with—think wounded animal eyes and kids.

It’s time to stop the “giving” insanity. You may think I’m being a tad calloused … but who and what you support should be important to you. Not something that hooks you with instant emotional strings or even with a little fear.

I have two things I do when I’m approached in person or on the phone:

1. If it’s a group that claims they are a charity, I check them out on CharityNavigator.com. I want to know what percentage of moneys go to the recipient. It’s probable they won’t pass my criteria.
2. I don’t give moneys over the phone or at the door.

For me, I have certain groups I support with my time and money. In fact, I’m transparent about it and identify them as part of my purpose on The Book Shepherd website here.

When people are victims of scams, it’s iffy if they report it. If you are really tempted, do this first. Check out any group on CharityNavigator.com. AND, do a Google search. Read the reports and be advised. And read well past the first page of Google … where 90% of Google visitors stop. It’s deep dive time for you.

(That company name) + Scam
(That company name) + Problem
(That company name) + Complaint
(That company name) + Fraud
(That company name) + Swindle
(That company name) + Rip-off
(That company name) + “Better Business Bureau”

Unfortunately, too many walk away woven with shame that they got sucked in the first place and/or are so ticked that they got taken, they just want to take the shower and get as far away as possible. Nothing is said. The scammers thrive. Enjoy the Holidays. Know where your money goes. Support what you truly care about. And stop there.

Dr. Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 37 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Wise Words for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a $1,000,000 Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Amazon. Collectively, her books have earned over 45 book awards. Judith speaks throughout the year at publishing conferences. 

Throughout the year, she holds Judith Briles Book Unplugged experiences: Publishing, Speaking, Marketing, and Social Media. All are two-day intensive limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Join Judith live for the “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” podcast on the Toginet Radio Network HERE. 

Follow @AuthorUYOUBooks and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact me.

©2021 Judith Briles – The Book Shepherd™ All Rights Reserved.