In academic publishing, one of the most insidious threats is the rise of predatory outlets impersonating legitimate publishing houses. These deceptive entities not only undermine the credibility of scholarly communication but also cause significant damage to the reputations of established publishers.
Predatory Tactics
Over the past year, predatory outlets worldwide have falsely claimed to represent or have publishing relationships with reputable international publishing houses. These groups have taken their deception further by impersonating medium to large commercial publishers, university presses, and professional organizations, promising speedy peer review and guaranteed publication in exchange for fees. The tactics they employ are sophisticated and damaging, leading many victims to mistakenly believe that these impersonators are true representatives of the reputable publishers they claim to be. Key tactics include:
- Deceptive Outreach: Predatory groups use platforms like WhatsApp to deceive researchers, pretending to be established academic publishers and inviting them to submit their work. They sometimes create fake publication titles or use the titles of the publishers they are impersonating.
- False Promises: These groups lure researchers with promises of automatic acceptance, indexing, and other benefits, only to collect fees and cease all communication once payment is made.
- Fake Acceptance Letters: Impersonators use fabricated letterheads of the publishers they are mimicking to send fake acceptance letters and request payment.
- Imitation Logos and Covers: Predatory groups create logos and publication covers closely resembling those of the legitimate publishers they are impersonating. These appear authentic at first glance, and they even go so far as to purchase ISBNs to give their publications an air of legitimacy.
The impact of these activities on respected publishing houses is profound, damaging their reputation and brand. Indirectly, these practices unfairly paint legitimate publishers as predatory, despite having no affiliation with these deceptive groups. This not only harms individual publishers but also tarnishes the broader academic publishing community.
Protecting Your Publishing House
All academic publishing houses must become much more knowledgeable of these tactics. As these predatory practices become more prevalent, it is crucial for publishing houses to take proactive steps to safeguard their reputation and protect their authors from falling victim to these scams. Here are some strategies to consider:
- Educate Your Network: Regularly inform your network of authors, editors, and reviewers about the risks of predatory outlets. Encourage them to be vigilant and to report any suspicious communications or activities.
- Trademark Your Brand: Ensure that your slogans, logos, and other branding elements are trademarked. This legal protection makes it easier to act against entities trying to impersonate your brand.
- Encourage Open Communication: Foster an environment where authors feel comfortable communicating openly about potential scams. If an author suspects they have been targeted by a predatory outlet, they should be encouraged to report it immediately.
- Avoid Informal Communication Platforms: Encourage authors to avoid engaging in communication via informal platforms like WhatsApp. Instead, direct them to contact you through official channels, such as your main website.
- Standardize Acceptance Letters: Clearly define the format and content of your acceptance letters. Make sure authors are aware of what an authentic acceptance letter looks like, so they can identify and disregard any fraudulent ones.
- Monitor and Respond Quickly: Stay vigilant by monitoring for any misuse of your brand and respond swiftly. The sooner you can address the issue publicly (as appropriate), the less damage will be done to your reputation.
- Collaborate: Join forces with other publishing houses and ethical organizations worldwide such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE), Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), etc. to share experiences, raise awareness about predatory behavior, and develop best practices for addressing these issues.
Final Thoughts
The rise of predatory outlets impersonating legitimate publishers is a growing concern that can have devastating effects on the academic community. By educating your network, protecting your brand, and fostering open communication, you can safeguard your publishing house from these malicious practices and ensure that your reputation remains untarnished. Share with us (write to Courtney Mengel at cmengel@econtentpro.com) if your publishing house has been a victim of these impersonators.
About eContent Pro
Based in Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA, eContent Pro offers high-quality end-to-end editorial and publishing services, ensuring seamless workflows through the eContent Pro Business Enterprise Management System (BEMS), fast turnaround times, competitive pricing, and exceptional customer service. Since 1994, we have supported commercial publishers, university/library presses, organizations, and societies by streamlining their publishing workflow with innovative publishing solutions.
