UCL Press News & Views

Staying vigilant: recognising promotional scams targeting authors

Posted on 17th July, 2026

At UCL Press, we work closely with authors and editors to maximise the reach and impact of their publications. We are therefore concerned to hear of a number of suspicious promotional approaches recently reported by some of our authors and editors.

While these approaches take different forms, they often offer publicity, reviews, reader engagement or other marketing opportunities. Although many appear professional and convincing, they form part of a wider pattern of scams targeting authors, academics and publishing professionals.

Why these approaches can seem genuine

Much of the information about books and authors published by UCL Press is publicly available through our website, online retailers, library platforms and academic networks. This includes book descriptions, author biographies, reviews and publication details.

As a result, fraudulent approaches can often appear well researched and highly personalised. Messages may reference a specific title, subject area or recent publication, making them seem legitimate at first glance. Their aim is often to build trust before encouraging authors to pay for publicity services, marketing campaigns or other forms of promotion.

What to look out for

We recommend treating unsolicited promotional opportunities with caution, particularly if:

You are contacted unexpectedly by an unfamiliar individual or organisation.
The approach promises increased visibility, readership or discoverability in return for a fee.
There is pressure to respond quickly or secure a place in a limited campaign.
Payment or financial information is requested at any stage.

While not every unsolicited approach is fraudulent, these are common warning signs that should prompt further scrutiny.

If you receive a suspicious message

If you are a UCL Press author or editor and receive an approach of this nature, we recommend that you:

Avoid engaging with the sender until you have confirmed their legitimacy.
Do not share personal or financial information.
Do not make any payments.
Contact the UCL Press marketing team if you would like advice or a second opinion.

We would also be grateful if you could let us know about any similar approaches. Reports from authors help us identify emerging patterns and share relevant information with the wider community.