This yells out what it is

[DaveKuzminski]

I received this from a writer who was initially contacted by Angela. I've copied the subsequent email he received and changed only one thing. I put "author's name" in place of his real name. I now present you with the Letter from Spain:

Dear author's name:

Thank you very much for the story. I simply loved it when I read it, and
now I'm honored to get it publish.. I hope this will reinforce our
Sànish readers to write their own stories and tales, and send them.

Thank very much as well for your kind and supporting words. What
happened last Thursdat in Madrid was, not only sad... It was like a
nightmare come true. The feeling of impotence and pain was overwhelming.
It has provoqued a change in the goverment, but I am not sure this is
going to solve all our problems. The damage is done, and now we must
face the consecuences.
In this state of things, it is very hard to focus in a moutaineerig
magazine (it seems so shallow!). But life goes on, and people has also
the right to read about dreams and beautiful places and activities.

And so, let's go ow with your story. I'd like to write, in a couple of
sentences, who are you (Where do you live and your relationship with the
mountaineering world). Let me know as well where shall I send you an
issue, once printed. I must beg for yor patience, as your story will
appear in May, so it'll take it some time.

The same can be said as far as payment is concerned. The transference
shall be fulfilled on the First of June. Any way, to gain some time,
here you are our company's data, and how to write the invoice:

The invoice shall be signed and mailed to the attention of:

Marcelo Otero
Campo Base
C/ Monte Esquinza, 28, 3ºizda.
28010-Madrid
SPAIN

The invoice shall include:
Number of invoice (01, for you) and date (May 2004)
Your complete data (Name, adress, ID or passport number, phone nº.)
Campo base data (Beware, the adress where the company is registered is
not the same of that of our headquarters!)

Ediciones Campo Base S.L.
>c/ Abtao, 28, 4º 19
>28007-Madrid
>CIF: B-83896183

Concept: Colaboration for the Third number of 'Campo Base' magazine.
(Colaboración para el tercer número de la revista Campo Base)

Ammount: 125EUR

Then I'll need your COMPLETE bank account data. (Including the name of
the bank, adrees of the bank office, All the digits of the bank account,
IBAN code and SWIFT code).

Let me know if you have any doubt about it of in case you need any
futher information. Thanks again, and best regards,

Angela.

[James D Macdonald]

Dave, that sounds a lot like a request to make a wire transfer to the author's account.

What's the magazine in question?

[DaveKuzminski]

James Macdonald, I believe it's Campo Base. What bothers me is the request for information that's not needed. All they need to do is either send a check or a money order and let the banks handle the niceties. I doubt if we're talking any major payments here as it's for a short article so those would be safe enough, though I would think that Paypal could also handle this.

What bothers me further is that they found his work on the Internet at his web page. I don't believe I copied that information from the writer's email to me, but that set off an alarm. The greater majority of publishers don't cruise web pages for writing to feature in their publications especially since first world rights are probably already burned. At least, most publications I know of feel that way about work that's appeared on the web.

If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, but no overseas publication ever asked me for that much information when they wanted to reprint some of my work in order to effect payment.

[richardmartin555]

Some guy in Spain wants his complete bank acct data?
Notice he saved that little nugget of a request till the final para.

[JustinoIV]

With just a little more info like a birthdate or social security number, they could access your bank account!

Red Flag doesn't describe this situation. A volcanic red mountain had erupted! Run like hell!

[sfsassenach]

I've provided that info to British and American publishers in order to get a wire transfer into my American account.

I don't want them to postal mail a check to my bank--the chances of misplacing it are too great. However, I'd only do it with a publisher I trust.

[RealityChuck]

I have noticed that, in Europe, that sort of bank transfer is much more routine than it is in the US (especially with different currencies). It's not necessarily sinister that he's asking for the information.

[DaveKuzminski]

But how many editors anywhere commonly cruise the Internet for stories and articles to reprint?

[richardmartin555]

I googled up zilch on the guy or his mag. Was the
article/story in English, or Spanish?

[DaveKuzminski]

The work to be reprinted is in English on a personal web page.

[James D Macdonald]

Campo Base is here, listed under Madrid:

<a href="http://www.coedis.com/Editores.asp" target="_new">www.coedis.com/Editores.asp</a>

The editor's email appears to be redaccion@campobase.es

Alas! their web page at http://www.campobase.es seems to be down.

[JustinoIV]

"I don't want them to postal mail a check to my bank--the chances of misplacing it are too great. However, I'd only do it with a publisher I trust."

They can add delivery confirmation to their requests at little extra cost. Or they can fedex or ups the check to you. Or if they are internet savy, they can paypal it to you.

If you don't know an employer that well, tell them to send money to you in the above mentioned manners. Otherwise, with established companies that you have a relationship with, wire transfers are fine.

[dgkgoldberg]

I've done some work for non-USA based magazines, most of what I do it nonfiction. What sets off alarm bells for me is the request for a passport number or ID number.

That's really usual. I've had payment via bank transfer which can be made with the name, location, and account number of my bank account.

I've also had payment in checks and via paystone and pay pal.

[James D Macdonald]

They're offering $154.64 (at this morning's exchange rate). If you're worried, give them a mailing address and ask them to send a money order. The bank fees will eat up some of the cash, but what the hey, right?

[sfsassenach]

Justino wrote:They can add delivery confirmation to their requests at little extra cost. Or they can fedex or ups the check to you. Or if they are internet savy, they can paypal it to you.

It still takes too long. I live in Central America, and have the checks sent to a family member who deposits it, or get wire transfers.

I don't entirely trust Pay Pal, and have ehard too many horror stories. They're fine for small transactions, little purchases from EBay and the like, but I don't want to use them like a bank.

[DaveKuzminski]

dgkgoldberg, the part about passport numbers also caught my attention. Just what exactly would they compare it to to know whether it's legitimate?

It's not that they asked for information, but that they asked for way too much that pushed the buttons for alarms with me. They can be entirely legitimate, but they're asking for too much, especially in view of the number of identity thefts going on.

[JustinoIV]

"It still takes too long. I live in Central America, and have the checks sent to a family member who deposits it, or get wire transfers."

I'm sure everyone knows this but both sender and receiver pay fees for wires.

Therefore, if you live in the US and your publisher is in the US, it really is best to just have the funds mailed to you.

As for Fed Ex, they do have global delivery services that could probably get documents somewhere a day or two.

It may be possible to use passport and other id numbers to look up a person's background info.

Overall, unless it's a publisher that you've been working with for awhile, I think they'd think it is weird for you to ask for a wire transfer. Unless you're formally hired and they have direct deposit. But for a onetime freelance project wiritng sounds weird.

Paypal is FDIC insured, which means you're covered there up to $100000

[sfsassenach]

As for Fed Ex, they do have global delivery services that could probably get documents somewhere a day or two.

:rollin :rollin :rollin :blackeye

Sometimes...but "second day air" can mean "second week" out here in the sticks. You live in the First World Justino, and don't seem to understand that efficiency isn't universal.

[SRHowen]

I have worked in Publishing in Germany, and lived there for several years. They do not do checking there. Period. One of the weirdest things they think about Americans is checking accounts--anyone could write one--Yes?

They use a bank draft with account numbers etc., so that part would not concern me much though I might set up an account to use for only those sorts of things.

They would have no reason at all to have passport info though--unless for ID purposes--you use your passport often in Europe. But I don't think so--we never had passprot info on anybody where I worked.

And there is the fact that legit publishers DO NOT troll the Internet looking for material they are flooded with stuff.

Shawn

[sfsassenach]

In Costa Rica, everyone is issued a cedulla [certificate] # at birth, and you have to put it on all legal documents, bank papers, etc.

If you don't have a cedulla, you use your passport #.

[JustinoIV]

"Sometimes...but "second day air" can mean "second week" out here in the sticks. You live in the First World Justino, and don't seem to understand that efficiency isn't universal. "

I understand that effeciency isn't universal, it took awhile for me to receive a package that was sent to me in Paraguay.

However, I do believe the majority of the people on this form live in the US, and in any of the anglophone countries I'd say a check sent through the mail. I don't think it is good for most of the people on this forum to demand that money be wired to them.

Especially if it's just for a freelance project. Considering that freelance projects are probably going to be what, a few houndred dollars at the most?

[Roxanne McDonald]

As the alarms sounded regarding content (requests for scam-worthy information), they should also have sounded regarding mechanics (grammer, spelling, syntax).

Editor? Woe hoe hoe.

RM

[Roxanne McDonald]

As the alarms sounded regarding content (requests for scam-worthy information), they should also have sounded regarding mechanics (*grammar, spelling, syntax).

Editor? Woe hoe hoe.

RM

[sfsassenach]

and probably not a native speaker of English.

[MysticWolf1]

Yes, I agree. It looks as if some of the spellings are phonetic; I was able to understand the message. :thumbs

[maestrowork]

I would not give out my bank account information, etc. if you were you. I would request the payment be sent in checks.

[sfsassenach]

You'll see that for some posters, cashing checks can be problematic.

[maestrowork]

I have a solution. Go to you bank and open up a free checking account with the minimum balance (some requires $0). Then give that info to the publisher. Ask them why they need your passport number -- and that you don't feel comfortable giving that out, especially over the internet.

* Still, the fact that this "publisher" scouted the internet for your piece is somewhat suspect.

[sfsassenach]

Read the damn thread. Then you'll know that I [and some of the posters] are outside the US and can't just "go to their bank."

I wasn't the one who was asked for a passport number.

I've had reputable companies wire money into my US account for years, with no problem whatsoever. If I thought a company was suspect, I wouldn't work for them--let alone give them my bank info.

[James D Macdonald]

This appears to be a magazine that publishes specialized non-fiction (on mountain climbing). The editor apparently found an article on someone's webpage on mountain climbing, and wanted to publish it in his magazine.

If it's that much of a hassle, just give the editor one-time reprint rights for free and call it a day. I mean, the article was already published on a webpage. Go non-commercial. Ask for a by-line. Where's the problem?

[maestrowork]

Why are you so hostile? I was just trying to state my opinion. You can simply ignore me. Yes, I have read the whole DAMN thread so back off.

I am not responding to you. I was responding to Dave K who asked the question.

And what kind of country do you live in that you can't go to your bank? A remote village in Africa?

I am speaking of experience here. Bank fraud is not a trivial problem -- and I just had someone trying to charge $9560 on my credit card. If Dave K did not know the publisher and the publisher "solicited" him and asked for bank info AND passport number, etc. there IS a reason to question it. I don't care if other countries only do bank wires. The point is, if he doesn't know the other party, he should not hand in the info. Period.

I have done wires before. Many times. Both incoming and outgoing. I know what it's about. But fat chance if I would give out my bank and ID info to someone I DO NOT KNOW.

If Dave K knows the other party, it's another matter. I suggest you read the damn thread again yourself. Dave K does not know that publisher. Read the damn thread again.

[sfsassenach]

I live in Costa Rica, where ineptitude and bureaucracy is a way of life. CR banks take over 1 month to process out of coutnry checks.


I also said to only give this info to someone you trust.

[JustinoIV]

"I live in Costa Rica, where ineptitude and bureaucracy is a way of life. CR banks take over 1 month to process out of coutnry checks.:

For Americans, if we were given checks from foriegn banks, particularly if they weren't US funds it would take over one month to process here as well.

I'm a screenwriter, and for the most part, I deal with American prodcos. However, I have submitted to British, Canadian, and Australian prodcos, and people from these countries are considering hiring me for commissioned screenwriting work. Or I may sell them one of my specs.

And even if takes over a month for the check to clear at my bank here (probable if from a foriegn bank), I do not care! If don't have a long business relationship with someone, giving out your bank account information like this is extremely risky.

If you want to do it, be my guest.

[JustinoIV]

"sfsassenach" you just want whatever funds you are owned paid directly to your US account. And you don't want the funds in your bank in Costa Rica.

A lot of people in some poor countries have issues trusting their local banks (and with good reason, loook at the 2001 freezing of bank accounts in Argentina).

So yes, depending on what country you're in, I can understand why you would want funds wired into an US account. Beats having the check mailed to you, and then you having to mail it to your US bank, which would be a long and tedious process.

Your route of doing things is not necessary because you live in another country, it is necessary because you live in a country with a poor financial/bank system. In any developed country, people would just have them mail a check to them, and they'd personally deposit it in their local bank.

Almost all of us here are Americans, or from other developed countries, so what you said just sounds weird to us.

[sfsassenach]

fyi, I've gotten funds wired to my acct. from fly-by-night firms like Nat Geographic and Random House.

Obviously, I wouldn't give my info to ST Literary, etc.

[HapiSofi]

Sassenach, if Nat Geographic or Random House misbehave, you know where to go to protest and try to collect.

I don't know how this outfit is at publishing, but as a new variety of scam I think it's brilliant. Find people who've posted substantial articles on their websites. Tell them you want to give one of their old articles broader exposure, and pay them for it as well. Who wouldn't think that was fine? Then ask the authors for information they wouldn't give out to a stranger under any other circumstances. After all, they're not a stranger; they're someone who wants to buy your writing.

Do you publish them? Do you pay them? Publish them, you might. It's easy enough; and it gives the enterprise a veneer of respectable. After that it's a matter of dodging collection ... and you could string the thing out for months without seriously violating the standard profile of small undercapitalized publications.

Me, I wouldn't give them that info on a bet. They need all that information, and make money transfers no other way? Malarkey. Anyone who's genuinely dealing with publishing types is perforce going to use a variety of methods and formats, because they're a wildly irregular lot. I used to know a Managing Editor who sent some of her manuscripts to be proofread to a freelancer care of a certain bar in Greenwich Village. She was never sure what the deal was; she'd inherited him from the previous Managing Editor. For all she knew, her proofreader slept under the bar there at night.

[sfsassenach]

Especially if it's just for a freelance project. Considering that freelance projects are probably going to be what, a few houndred dollars at the most?

You seem to know nothing about freelance journalism.

I've had projects that pay a few hundred; some that pay $10K+.

[JustinoIV]

"You seem to know nothing about freelance journalism.

I've had projects that pay a few hundred; some that pay $10K+. "

So if you're making that much money, why not move to a country that has a functional postal system and banking system?
:lol :p :rollin :party

[Betty W01]

So if you're making that much money, why not move to a country that has a functional postal system and banking system?

That comment (as well as the accompanying smileys) was rude and uncalled-for. Next time maybe you should think twice before posting the first thought that enters your mind??

[MadScientistMatt]

I wonder if Miriam Achaba has opened a publishing house yet. :)

I guess the first one was not connected with the real Campo Base, any more than the other letters are connected with the Grand Poo-Bah of Somewhere You Have Trouble Finding on a Globe.

[James D. Macdonald]

As it happens there is a genuine Nigerian Scam aimed at booksellers.

Here's an article (from PW) describing it:

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA435125.html?pubdate=7%2F12%2F2004&display=archive

Here's another description:

http://www.crimes-of-persuasion.com/Nigerian/bogus_orders.htm