Protecting Your Work and Account

Introduction

Your books, your account and your reputation are your assets. Authors face theft of content, scams, and policy problems. A few habits greatly reduce the risk.

Secure your accounts

• Use a unique, long password from a password manager for your KDP account, your email and every platform you use.
• Turn on two-step sign-in, especially on your email, because attackers often take over email first.
• Be careful of phishing. Messages claiming your account is suspended, or asking you to "verify" details by clicking a link, are common. Go to the site yourself by typing the address, and check the official account messages.
• Never share your password with an assistant, a "marketing expert" or anyone else. If someone needs access, use a proper permissions feature if the platform offers one.
• Keep backups of your manuscripts, covers and files, on at least two places.

Scams aimed at authors

• Vanity and fake publishers that charge large fees and promise bestsellers
• Fake "agents" or "film producers" who ask for money upfront
• Review and ranking services that sell fake reviews. They break the rules and can get you banned.
• Cold emails offering marketing, translation or "promotion to millions of readers"
• Impersonation of Amazon or other platforms asking for payment or login details
• Fake invoices for domain names, trademarks or listings

A genuine opportunity rarely demands payment before you can check it. Research the company, look for independent reviews, never rush and ask a trusted author or professional.

Plagiarism and piracy

• Piracy means unauthorised copies of your book shared or sold. Plagiarism means someone copying your text and presenting it as theirs.
• Keep records that prove you wrote it first: drafts with dates, files and registrations where available.
• If you find a copy, collect evidence (links, screenshots, dates), then use the platform's reporting process for copyright infringement. In many countries there are formal takedown notice procedures, such as the DMCA in the United States.
• Do not make false claims. Misusing takedown tools can have legal consequences.
• Do not harass anyone. Stay factual and professional, and consider legal advice for serious cases.
• Accept that some piracy is hard to stop. A good book, fair prices and a connection with readers help most.

Stay within the rules

Policy problems can cost you your income. Re-read KDP's content guidelines regularly, because they change.

• Disclose AI-generated text, images and translations when you publish, as KDP requires. Using AI only to edit or brainstorm your own writing is treated differently, but you remain responsible for the content.
• Do not publish duplicate or near-identical books, misleading titles, or content you do not have the rights to.
• Do not manipulate reviews, rankings or categories.
• Do not use other authors' names or brands in metadata to attract searches.
• Follow the current limits and requirements on publishing and metadata.

If you get a notice

1. Read it carefully, and note exactly which book and rule it mentions.
2. Do not panic or reply angrily. Staying calm and factual helps.
3. Fix the issue if it is valid, and respond through the official channel, explaining what you changed.
4. If you believe it is a mistake, appeal politely with evidence.
5. Keep records of all messages.
6. Do not create duplicate accounts to avoid a ban. That makes things worse.

Protect your reputation

Be honest about who you are and what your book is. Correct errors quickly. Treat readers and fellow authors well. Reputation is slow to build and fast to lose.

Try it yourself

Create an "author security checklist": password manager, two-step sign-in on email and KDP, backups, recovery contacts, and a note of the official support pages. Also write the steps you would take if a copy of your book appeared on a pirate site.

Summary

• Secure accounts with unique passwords, two-step sign-in and careful handling of phishing.
• Recognise author scams, and keep records to report plagiarism and piracy properly.
• Follow KDP's rules, including AI disclosure, and respond to notices calmly through official channels.