Someone has asked to use my hub. What should I do?

1. 94

   vocalcoachposted 10 years ago

   I received this message in an email. "Hello Audrey
   I am writing to ask permission to share your story, Saving a life and the power of words. I am a pastor's wife and will be sharing a devotion on the power of words and was searching for a story to drive the point home when I came across your story. I would only be reading it as part of a devotion I will be sharing with our ladies. What a powerful story. Thank you for sharing and please let me know if I have permission to share your story.
   
   Thank you and God bless,
   Cheryl
   
   Sent from my iPhone

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      Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I am thinking along the lines of Marisa, and I think if what you have written will bless many, then that is a wonderful thing, so long as you are given the credit as the author and it is not reprinted and distributed (unless you do not mind), and just read.

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   2. 88

      bravewarriorposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Audrey, I think I would get a little more information in her and her group. What's the name of the organization/church? What's her last name? Where is she located? Website? Get something you can verify before agreeing. If she seems legit and sincere after checking her out, I think it would be an honor for your words to be shared. Just make sure your CYA.

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         Twilight Lawnsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I agree, Brave Warrior.  This person seems to be so "lovely", "sincere", and with all the "right credentials".  So why are there no real details?
         She seems a little bit too good to be true.

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         vocalcoachposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, Sha, this is good advice and exactly what I'll do.  Thanks so much!

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            bravewarriorposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            You're welcome, Audrey. I'm glad you saw beyond my typos! :-)

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               vocalcoachposted 10 years agoin reply to this

               I've received 3 more of these from different people.  Now I'm convinced this is a scam.

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                  Hyphenbirdposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  That is a shame; makes me very sad.

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   3. 0

      Bob Bambergposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I'd let Cheryl read the story, Audrey, with the understanding that attribution is required.  If she wanted to re-print it as a handout, I'd grant permission for that as well, as long as it included your byline.   In this particular case, I'd be very flattered.  Congratulations are in order.

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   4. 87

      Cardisaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I have given permission to use my poetry in poetry readings before so I can't see the harm in it. All you need to do is emphasize that they cannot publish it whether in print or online.

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         vocalcoachposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks Cardisa.  I still seem to be somewhat skeptical

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   5. 72

      brakel2posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      It is very flattering to you, Audrey. I would only do it for a friend. I am very skeptical, since I have been on HubPages. She has given very little information and might use the permission to copy it elsewhere.

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      1. 94

         vocalcoachposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         My thoughts exactly. However, if her intent is to copy my hub elsewhere, why would she ask my permission?  Just say'in.

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   6. 88

      awordloverposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I received one of these messages in my regular email, not on Hubpages.
      
      Hello Rachael
      I am writing to ask permission to share your story, Baby Danger: Is Swaddling Safe?  I am a pastor's wife and we have an outreach center for unwed mothers. I was searching for a story to share with them on the importance of how to properly swaddle a baby when I came across your story. I will only be sharing it with our small group and I promise I will not publish it on any website. What a powerful story you wrote about swaddling. Thank you for sharing your story on hub pages and please let me know if I have your permission to share the story.
      
      Thank you and God bless,
      Cheryl
      
      
      After I received it in my own email,  awordlover's husband called me to ask if I would take care of an email matter for him and it was the similar email on awordlover's email account.
      
      Hello awordlover
      I am writing to ask permission to share your story, Crohn's Disease - My Story.  I am a pastor's wife and will be sharing a devotion on persevering with a serious illness. I was searching for a story to drive the point home when I came across your story. I would only be reading it as part of a devotion to share with our ladies. What a powerful story. Thank you for sharing and please respond with your permission so I can share your story.   
      
      Thank you and God bless,
      Gloria
      
      This is spam and a scam.
      
      I reported the emails to my hotmail email provider. Since receiving them, I have spoken to several friends at work, and I am hearing about more people getting similar emails.  All say she is a pastor's wife and all say she will only be sharing it with her "ladies." All are signed with different names,  mostly the names Cheryl, Sandra, Gloria, Anna, and Rhonda - so far.  But the body of the email is very similar if not verbatim when I compare with my friends at work.
      
      I clicked to respond and the email bounced back to me as undeliverable. More proof it was a scam, a silly one, but still a scam.

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   7. 81

      Hyphenbirdposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I have allowed people to use my work in newsletters, etc. I think it would be wonderful to know your work is being used to bless ladies through a devotional. I see no reason to say forbid it and many  reasons to say yes..

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2. 85

   Marisa Wrightposted 10 years ago

   I don't see any reason to say no.  I would simply emphasise that she has permission to read it out, but not to print it or publish it anywhere.

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      barryrutherfordposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Agree!

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3. 81

   Author Cherylposted 10 years ago

   My thoughts are you can't really say why she wants it.  People plagiarize all the time.  I suppose if she wanted to copy your work she wouldn't ask.  I don't know I am just skeptical about people these days.

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      Twilight Lawnsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you Author Cheryl.  I would be careful; very careful.  The "background" of this person seems to be so very "nice", but why no real details?

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      vocalcoachposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly why I posted this question Thanks.

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4. 92

   TheDragonBringerposted 10 years ago

   Would that person publishing it online cause a plagiarism issue here on Hubpages? That issue is still cloudy to me. Thanks!

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   1. 89

      Christy Kirwanposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hi DragonBringer,
      
      We do not allow Hubs to be published elsewhere online. They must be unique to HubPages.

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         barryrutherfordposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Someone linking your hub with a topic of the same genre on another internet site can really increase the Hubs traffic...

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   2. 94

      vocalcoachposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      They won't be publishing my hub on line (according to the email.)  Only reading it to a church group, it appears.

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   3. 94

      vocalcoachposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      This person claims that they only want to read the hub to a group.

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5. 84

   DonnaCSmithposted 10 years ago

   tell him he can publish the link to your Hub and then you'll get more traffic.

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      vocalcoachposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hmmmm - never thought about this.  Not sure there is anything to link to.  Thanks.

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6. 82

   WillStarrposted 10 years ago

   "I would only be reading it as part of a devotion I will be sharing with our ladies."
   
   If that's all she will be doing, she really doesn't need your permission, so she's just being polite. I would get all her pertinent info and tell her she can read it but but publish it.

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      vocalcoachposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Good advice Bill.  This is exactly what I will do and thanks!

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7. 92

   Jodahposted 10 years ago

   Audrey, I think it's great that this lady was polite enough to ask your permission. She could have easily downloaded and printed your hub then read it out and you'd have been none the wiser. It obviously made a big impression on her, and I would advise you to allow her to use it as a blessing and inspiration to others, as long as she gives you credit. I would be honored if it was one of my written works.

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8. 78

   Laceylinksposted 10 years ago

   I think it's a real compliment to you. She wants to make a point to a group of people, and it sounds to me as if she would credit you as the writer, not take credit for your story. If it were me I would accept, although it appears you already agree!

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9. 94

   vocalcoachposted 10 years ago

   The email you received is almost verbatim word for word on the email I received.  So glad you have shared this with me as well as other hubbers here in the forum.  It's a scam for sure.  Is it best to just delete my email as spam?
   Thanks so very much!

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   1. 88

      awordloverposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      You can report it to your email provider, but I never heard any feedback.  If I were you, I would just mark it as spam. That way if you get any more, they won't go to your inbox.  If you want to see if you get more of them, then of course, just delete and don't mark it as spam.
      
      It's interesting that these emails are so pointless. Or maybe they are a heads up that the hubs are about to be stolen. Who knows? I'm in another forum right now typing up a website that stole over 100 hubs from hubbers. It's sickening. It's almost 1:30AM and I'm ready for bed. lol  I'll finish up what I can and see if anyone responds tomorrow.
      
      I'm glad you are at ease now that you can see these emails are not genuine.

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10. 70

    shanice whitterposted 10 years ago

    Well, thats something interesting.Pride your work.Consider your craft as a gem or a box of diamonds.Keep your stuff private and untouched by others.

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11. 0

    cjnileskiposted 10 years ago

    I agree, get a little more information on this person first.
    
    If all is well, let them use the post.  If your post can help others in this crazy world we live in today, I think that's great!!
    
    Go for it!!

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    1. 88

       awordloverposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       they are scams. see previous replies

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12. 84

    grand old ladyposted 10 years ago

    The writer sounds very nice, but if there are so many others getting similar letters with different names, it's definitely a scam. I just wonder what's in it for the scammer?

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13. 72

    brakel2posted 10 years ago

    I wonder if people are trying to verify email addresses and then try to send email with places to click. How would they get Hubbers email address, if they are so hard to find at first?   This is a real mystery.

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