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Me vs. the Machines.

The article focuses on identifying and combating phishing schemes targeting writers, particularly those involving AI-generated, deceptive emails posing as legitimate literary contacts. It outlines common tactics used by scammers, such as fake email addresses, overly flattering but vague messages, an...

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Published in:Poets & Writers Vol. 54; no. 3; pp. 59 - 62
Main Author: MIRANDA, ALISHA FERNANDEZ
Format: Article
Published: Poets & Writers, Inc. May/Jun2026
Subjects:
Phishing
Spam email
Email security
Computer fraud
Swindlers & swindling
Vigilance (Psychology)
Internet security
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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        Phishing
        Spam email
        Email security
        Computer fraud
        Swindlers & swindling
        Vigilance (Psychology)
        Internet security
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          Phishing
          Spam email
          Email security
          Computer fraud
          Swindlers & swindling
          Vigilance (Psychology)
          Internet security
      ab: The article focuses on identifying and combating phishing schemes targeting writers, particularly those involving AI-generated, deceptive emails posing as legitimate literary contacts. It outlines common tactics used by scammers, such as fake email addresses, overly flattering but vague messages, and attempts to elicit responses without upfront financial requests. The author recommends practical steps for verification, including scrutinizing sender addresses, analyzing message content for signs of automation, conducting independent online research, and using standardized replies to confirm authenticity. While acknowledging the emotional toll these scams take on writers, the article encourages vigilance and skepticism while remaining open to genuine opportunities from real readers and literary communities.
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    language: English
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