The internet can be so frustrating! My ex-boyfriend from over 30 years ago is kind of friends with Amy Poehler. I do know they have mutual friends. But he’s also kind of famous. I hope she sees your post!
Who knows? But if she wants to invite me on her show NOW, she may just have to take me with my normal hair. And I want to thank you for supporting what I write with a paid subscription.
I’m glad the scammer did not succeed in gaining access to your accounts. Another author, Barbara Gowdy, was not so lucky and has left social media completely because of the experience, which is a loss to us all.
I hope Amy sees your Substack. Maybe one of us here will tell here about the experience. Halfway into your story I started predicting the ending, which is what I love about how you’re writing makes me imagine and anticipate what comes next. Thank you!
I just love the fact you turn this upsetting experience into self-deprecating comedy.. even farce.. exposing the very human trait of flattery that we all succumb to so easily, but feel too humiliated and daft to admit. Brilliant.. I really hope Amy does see this now!
I had to scroll WAY too far to find a comment of this nature. The fact he had remote access to your computer and then didn’t contact you again tells me he got something of use, otherwise he would have kept at it. Monitor your credit closely, change all your p/w if you haven’t already. Ask your kids for help. Tell your bank what happened.
Exactly! I got this same email months ago, did a quick google search and didn't find this guys name associated anywhere with the show as a booking agent. Then I saw she only interviews famous people, and knew it had to be a scam.
They definitely got something, it's just a matter of time before she finds out what it was sadly.
I can see why making comedy of this would be the default but people need to realize this was a serious breach of security that happened.
I had somewhat of a similar experience, not that I was asked to be on a podcast with your new best friend Amy, but I was totally scammed by someone with an Indian accent named “Ted.” In my defense I was three weeks post open heart surgery and was still having delirium from the six hours of anesthetics. I wasn’t as lucky as you and I’m almost embarrassed to tell you that in order to supposedly save my vulnerable PayPal account according to “Ted” I needed to drive to the nearest Kroger and purchase a $500 Apple Card. Any normal thinking person would have been at least a little bit suspicious, but no, not me. I raced out of my house like a maniac and bought the card. So yeah, I was out $500 within the next two minutes of my purchase. Beside the fact that you didn’t lose any money, you had the bonus of believing you would be on a podcast with somebody pretty cool. I’d say your experience was way better than mine.
Oh my that is quite the story! My hackles went up immediately when you wrote that all three of your assistants had been contacted. That’s not normal. Hoping for the best that this creep did not access any serious information from your laptop. That’s scary stuff. Thank you so much for being so vulnerable and telling us! Crazy world. Amy P. should really hang with you though!
I'm glad you wrote about this. Scammers are everywhere, but I'd never heard about this approach. I had problems with my printer, some time ago, searched online and went to what looked like the official Brother website. The rep was familiar with my printer, it was only when he asked if I would like to share the computer screen so he could check for any other problems -- with no cost to me -- I became suspicious and hung up. I've also gotten a half dozen pitches from scammers who claim to be publicists who want to market my work. The last appreciation was so good I decided AI really might be able to take over some jobs -- PR, anyway. Writer Beware and The Authors' Guild have been very good at trying to alert writers to these creeps.
This is a wonderful story! And a good lesson for all of us. You have always been famous to me, as I have followed your incredible career since you wrote about your time in NH. I can see why Amy would want to interview you. Keep writing, wish I could join you in Guatemala!
Who needs Amy? Well, we shouldn’t really blame her…stupid Paul. I would bet that really isn’t his name either. And by the way, in my book, you rock. You are so talented and successful in such a diverse way. You can be on my podcast anytime. But give me a few months, first I need to have a podcast. I think I will need a technical assistant, some equipment, a format, something to say….. on second thought, give me a year and you can be my first guest.
Just think … you might not have embraced this opportunity for fear it was a scam — and said no to Amy! Here’s to living large and taking chances, Some work out, and those that don’t make great stories.
Oh Joyce, what a bummer. I wwas so excited (as where most of the commenters here) to see you interact with Amy...her loss! But, as 1 person said, maybe she will hear about this, and actually contact you.BTW, your hair looks awesome!
I think you and Amy would have had a great conversation. I love her, and got to see her live with Tina Fey when they toured together a few years ago. Like you, I have not yet listened to her podcast, not from lack of interest, but from content overload where there isn't enough time in the day. You hair looked great! When I get my hair done and it looks good, since my hair is usually frizzy and dry as well, I feel so much better. I hope you enjoyed your look while it lasted, even though the podcast was a bust.
Scamming happens, but this time it’s also a good story. I was so looking forward to tuning in to the episode, as I enjoyed your recent talk with Jonathan Small on Write About Now.
The internet can be so frustrating! My ex-boyfriend from over 30 years ago is kind of friends with Amy Poehler. I do know they have mutual friends. But he’s also kind of famous. I hope she sees your post!
Who knows? But if she wants to invite me on her show NOW, she may just have to take me with my normal hair. And I want to thank you for supporting what I write with a paid subscription.
Was thinking this too - maybe now Amy will see it and invite Joyce on for real. She should!
I’m glad the scammer did not succeed in gaining access to your accounts. Another author, Barbara Gowdy, was not so lucky and has left social media completely because of the experience, which is a loss to us all.
I had a bad feeling as I read that this was a scam
You are so lucky
I’m sure you’ve Ben told to get your computer cleaned by a pro
Sad to say I know from experience
I was lucky to not lose any money
I live your books and can totally see amy having you on!!!
I hope Amy sees your Substack. Maybe one of us here will tell here about the experience. Halfway into your story I started predicting the ending, which is what I love about how you’re writing makes me imagine and anticipate what comes next. Thank you!
I just love the fact you turn this upsetting experience into self-deprecating comedy.. even farce.. exposing the very human trait of flattery that we all succumb to so easily, but feel too humiliated and daft to admit. Brilliant.. I really hope Amy does see this now!
I’m sure this story will work its way to Amy. Fingers crossed she gets in touch for real!
Please have your computer scanned for malware. When that guy had control of your computer, he could've installed anything on it.
I had to scroll WAY too far to find a comment of this nature. The fact he had remote access to your computer and then didn’t contact you again tells me he got something of use, otherwise he would have kept at it. Monitor your credit closely, change all your p/w if you haven’t already. Ask your kids for help. Tell your bank what happened.
Exactly! I got this same email months ago, did a quick google search and didn't find this guys name associated anywhere with the show as a booking agent. Then I saw she only interviews famous people, and knew it had to be a scam.
They definitely got something, it's just a matter of time before she finds out what it was sadly.
I can see why making comedy of this would be the default but people need to realize this was a serious breach of security that happened.
I had somewhat of a similar experience, not that I was asked to be on a podcast with your new best friend Amy, but I was totally scammed by someone with an Indian accent named “Ted.” In my defense I was three weeks post open heart surgery and was still having delirium from the six hours of anesthetics. I wasn’t as lucky as you and I’m almost embarrassed to tell you that in order to supposedly save my vulnerable PayPal account according to “Ted” I needed to drive to the nearest Kroger and purchase a $500 Apple Card. Any normal thinking person would have been at least a little bit suspicious, but no, not me. I raced out of my house like a maniac and bought the card. So yeah, I was out $500 within the next two minutes of my purchase. Beside the fact that you didn’t lose any money, you had the bonus of believing you would be on a podcast with somebody pretty cool. I’d say your experience was way better than mine.
Oh my god. Joyce. Takes a whole lot of humility to share this story, show your warts, make it funny.
Oh my that is quite the story! My hackles went up immediately when you wrote that all three of your assistants had been contacted. That’s not normal. Hoping for the best that this creep did not access any serious information from your laptop. That’s scary stuff. Thank you so much for being so vulnerable and telling us! Crazy world. Amy P. should really hang with you though!
I'm glad you wrote about this. Scammers are everywhere, but I'd never heard about this approach. I had problems with my printer, some time ago, searched online and went to what looked like the official Brother website. The rep was familiar with my printer, it was only when he asked if I would like to share the computer screen so he could check for any other problems -- with no cost to me -- I became suspicious and hung up. I've also gotten a half dozen pitches from scammers who claim to be publicists who want to market my work. The last appreciation was so good I decided AI really might be able to take over some jobs -- PR, anyway. Writer Beware and The Authors' Guild have been very good at trying to alert writers to these creeps.
Ohh, dammit!! But, as usual, you’ve made a great story out of a mishap.❤️
She simply must have you on the show now, and that's final.
This is a wonderful story! And a good lesson for all of us. You have always been famous to me, as I have followed your incredible career since you wrote about your time in NH. I can see why Amy would want to interview you. Keep writing, wish I could join you in Guatemala!
Who needs Amy? Well, we shouldn’t really blame her…stupid Paul. I would bet that really isn’t his name either. And by the way, in my book, you rock. You are so talented and successful in such a diverse way. You can be on my podcast anytime. But give me a few months, first I need to have a podcast. I think I will need a technical assistant, some equipment, a format, something to say….. on second thought, give me a year and you can be my first guest.
Just think … you might not have embraced this opportunity for fear it was a scam — and said no to Amy! Here’s to living large and taking chances, Some work out, and those that don’t make great stories.
Oh Joyce, what a bummer. I wwas so excited (as where most of the commenters here) to see you interact with Amy...her loss! But, as 1 person said, maybe she will hear about this, and actually contact you.BTW, your hair looks awesome!
I think you and Amy would have had a great conversation. I love her, and got to see her live with Tina Fey when they toured together a few years ago. Like you, I have not yet listened to her podcast, not from lack of interest, but from content overload where there isn't enough time in the day. You hair looked great! When I get my hair done and it looks good, since my hair is usually frizzy and dry as well, I feel so much better. I hope you enjoyed your look while it lasted, even though the podcast was a bust.
Scamming happens, but this time it’s also a good story. I was so looking forward to tuning in to the episode, as I enjoyed your recent talk with Jonathan Small on Write About Now.