I performed a Google search the other day just to see how my eBook “As A Butterfly Flies, So Will I: Growing with Christ” was ranking on Google, and to see how easy it is to find my eBooks.
Imagine my shock and horror to find that an unauthorized site is not only listing my eBook as a free download and / or available to read free online, but it is also asking for people’s credit card information to verify their country – as this service is only available in certain countries!!!
WTW?!?!
You may be asking yourself, “how could this have happened?” As a newly Self-Published Author, I am asking myself that very same question, and it appears that I still have a lot to learn!
After following this bogus trail of links to get to the supposed “free” download, I discovered the site is asking for credit card information – a definite red-flag for any site offering a free download – and I decided to take action. I have filed a claim and reported this theft (The terms piracy and theft are often associated with copyright infringement) to the Better Business Bureau, who has “contacted the company and is waiting on a response”, as well as Amazon KDP, who replied:
“If you’ve found your work available on an unauthorized website, or you believe your book should have been already removed, we suggest contacting that website to confirm your rights and request removal of the content.
As the rights holder for your book, you are responsible for the distribution of your book and for ensuring that it is exclusive at the time of enrollment and remains exclusive throughout the entire KDP Select enrollment term.”
REALLY?!
The first link where my eBook is advertised is: http://cheaphotel.rocks/post/as-butterfly-flies-so-will-ebook/ and NONE of their links, including the “Contact” link works. It just takes you to a page that says: “Error establishing a database connection”.
WOW….
So, I clicked on the “Download” button and was taken to the link:
Then I did a search for Best Book Library and contacted them directly regarding the illegal distribution of my eBook and requested that they remove it from their site immediately. That was 2 days ago…it has NOT been removed yet!
ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!
The next site you are taken to is BamPlay, AKA Double Groove LLC. This company has an “F” rating with the BBB, and has several billing complaints against them. No surprise there, as this is the site where you are asked to create a free account by providing your email address and a password, then you are taken to the “Billing” screen, where you are asked to enter your credit card information.
This is also the company that I filed a complaint on with the BBB – my concern is not only for my eBook being stolen (and my hard work being exploited and loss of profits), but it is also for the readers who chose this option and give their credit card information – are they getting bogus charges on their credit cards by providing this information? Are their identities being stolen? The unimaginable things that could come from this are staggering, and I sincerely hope that no one has been taken advantage of through this!!!
I am going to place a call to this company, which has an office in Houston, Texas, and see what can be done about this. Since the eBook is listed through an unknown source, and no contact information is available for them, I must try to do everything I can to remove this illegal listing and protect potential readers from this fraud!
If anyone has dealt with this, or if you have any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate your input / advice!
I have also contacted BooXtream in regards to protecting my digital content without sacrificing customer satisfaction. BooXtream® offers the perfect solution. With BooXtream®, every eBook sold is unique using advanced watermarking and personalisation features. This will prevent piracy in the future.
In the meantime, I will continue my quest to remove my eBook from these sites.
For anyone wanting to get a copy of my eBooks / paperback books, PLEASE be aware that the only legitimate place you can get my eBooks online is through Amazon. Autographed paperback copies are also available through my website and Facebook Page and copies of paperbacks not autographed are available through my CreateSpace eStore.
Mom Writing Freelance 
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