Press Kit

Book Details

• Title: Breaking Free: How Scammers Manipulate and How to Fight Back
• Author: Zoey Michaels
• ASIN: B0DZYLQDLS 
• Publisher:  Tolkeins Book Writing  
• Publication Date: March 9, 2025
• Format: Hardback, Paperback, eBook
• Pages: 257
• Genre: Nonfiction, True Crime, Consumer Protection

Book Synopsis

Short Description:

Breaking Free: How Scammers Manipulate and How to Fight Back exposes the deceptive world of scammers, revealing their tactics and equipping readers with the tools they need to protect themselves. With gripping real-world scenarios and expert insights, this book is an essential defense against fraud.

Long Description:

Scammers are like viruses—constantly adapting, evolving, and spreading their deception. In Breaking Free: How Scammers Manipulate and How to Fight Back, Zoey Michaels takes readers deep inside the world of fraud, unraveling the psychological tricks that con artists use to exploit emotions, trust, and urgency.

Through immersive storytelling, readers will witness scammers in action—crafting their schemes, manipulating their victims, and celebrating their ‘wins.’ But this book doesn’t just expose the tricks; it arms readers with knowledge, showing them how to recognize, resist, and report scams before falling prey. Whether it’s online romance scams, financial fraud, or phishing schemes, Breaking Free provides actionable steps to stay one step ahead of the deceivers.

For those who have ever thought, “That could never happen to me,” this book is a wake-up call—and a lifeline.

Key Selling Points

• A unique mix of investigative storytelling and practical advice.
• Reveals scammers’ thought processes in their own words.
• Provides real-life scam scenarios to help readers recognize red flags.
• Offers step-by-step guidance on what to do if you or someone you love falls victim to fraud.
• Questionnaires for possible victim, friends and family and professionals.

Target Audience

• Consumers of all ages looking to safeguard their finances.
• Victims of scams seeking empowerment and recovery strategies.
• Law enforcement, cybersecurity professionals, and fraud prevention advocates.
• Journalists and media outlets covering financial crime and digital safety.

Sample Interview Questions

1. What inspired you to write Breaking Free?
2. How do scammers choose their victims?
3. What are some of the most shocking scams you uncovered during your research?
4. Are certain demographics more vulnerable to scams than others?
5. What are the top three red flags that indicate a potential scam?
6. How has technology changed the way scammers operate?
7. What advice would you give to someone who has already fallen victim to a scam?
8. Can you share a real-life story from the book that particularly stuck with you?
9. What makes this book different from other books about scams?
10. What do you think are the most useful features of the book?

Contact Information

For media inquiries or interviews please email: ZoeyMichaelsBooks@gmail.com or voicemail/text: (859) 515-4833

Advanced Read Copies:

https://booksprout.co/reviewer/review-copy/view/203503/breaking-free-how-scammers-manipulate-and-how-to-fight-back

Sample Chapter

What Friends and Family Should Look For

Scams often thrive in secrecy, with victims feeling too embarrassed or afraid to share what’s happening. This makes friends and family the first line of defense against fraud. Recognizing the warning signs can mean the difference between preventing a scam and watching a loved one fall deeper into deception.

Signs of Financial Exploitation

• Unexplained withdrawals, sudden financial struggles, or secrecy about money matters.
• A loved one receiving an unusually high number of phone calls or messages from an unknown “friend” or “authority figure.”
• Hesitation or fear when discussing their financial situation.

Behavioral Changes to Watch For

• Increased isolation or withdrawal from social activities.
• Sudden defensiveness when questioned about a new “investment” or online relationship.
• Uncharacteristic excitement over a financial windfall that seems too good to be true.

Common Manipulation Tactics Scammers Use

• Urgency: They push for quick decisions, warning of dire consequences.
• Fear: They claim a loved one is in danger or that an account will be shut down.
• Authority: They pretend to be from banks, government agencies, or tech companies.

How to Help Without Confrontation

• Express concern gently, avoiding blame or shame.
• Offer to review emails, texts, or financial transactions together.
• Encourage them to speak to a trusted financial advisor or law enforcement.
• Share real-life scam stories to subtly raise awareness.

Catching a scam early can prevent devastating losses. If you suspect a loved one is being targeted, your vigilance and support can make all the difference.