Every industry has its share of scams and scam artists. The entertainment industry is no exception. It is full of people who want to take advantage of innocent people and their dreams.
The best way to prevent such bad experiences from occurring is to educate yourself. That’s why we have gathered a handful of valuable insights from a fraud specialist on how to spot a scammer. When browsing casting calls, or if you ever receive a message from casting agents you have not worked with before, keep an eye out for the following red flags:
1. Poor grammar
Many scam messages contain poor grammar, unusual wording, odd spelling, or language unfamiliar to the entertainment industry.
2. Hidden fees
Watch out for hidden fees, such as fees for an acting course or an expensive portfolio. There’s no harm in someone selling professional workshops or headshots, as long as that’s what they are clearly advertising. Never pay for your kid to audition. Never send money to secure a role for your kid. And if you are pressured into giving money, it’s definitely a scam.
3. Pre-payment
A real project will never offer to pay talent up front before they have done any work. Scammers, however, will frequently offer to pay up front to try to gain your trust. A common prepayment method among scammers is to send their victim a check that bounces a few days after it is deposited. If someone asks you to deposit a check and send back part of the money for wardrobe, makeup, equipment, or any other setup costs, treat it as a scam.
4. Identity theft
Scammers sometimes use the names of real people and real companies. They even send links to the real websites of the people they’re impersonating. Be sure to check the email addresses they’re using. If they don’t match the company they’re “representing,” you can be sure it’s a scam. For example, the email may claim to be from a known company, but the email address does not include the company’s official website domain, such as @netflix.com.
5. Casting without an audition
This is a serious red flag. Although real projects may, on rare occasions, post models' or actors' photos online without meeting them in person, it is more common for scammers to claim they want to hire their “victim” without meeting them online or in person first. If someone is willing to sign your kid on the spot for a role, regardless of experience or suitability, question their motives. Always check the offer they are making. If the offer is too generic and includes few specific details, it is a definite no. Remember: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.
6. Good audition rule
Generally, the audition process, whether for an acting gig or a modeling project, is straightforward, especially when the casting is for kid talent. It usually involves filling out some paperwork, handing in your kid’s headshots and resume, and then being called into a casting room, where your kid will audition for no more than 15 minutes. If your kid has been chosen for a job or for another round of auditions, you’ll get a call. No one will try to sell you anything or force you into anything, and again, there’s no fee to audition.
Here are a few more tips on how to protect yourself
Check exactly what is required of you and your kid before attending an audition.
Check the location of the audition. If it’s in a hotel, bar, private home, or any location that feels unsafe or unusual, treat it as a red flag.
Don’t be afraid to say “no” to anything that you aren’t comfortable doing.
Always read contracts carefully before signing them.
Be cautious of unexpected casting messages sent via text, social media, or email, especially if they pressure you to act quickly or steer the conversation away from a trusted casting platform.
Examples of reported scams
Lucas Gray, Amazon Kid Magazine; Allure Magazine; Craig Winston; Edward William; GQ Magazine; Happie Images; Insight Agency; JC Penny Magazine; Jeff Salogar; Lara George; Mallisa Jackson from “Average Advert”; Frank Clarkson; Fred Ford from “Cafe Press”; Ganza Photo Shoot; Manny Leeman; Michael Chris; Never Ending Casting; Oliver Lowry; Portfolio Photo Team; Rick Cochraine; Steve Morgan.
Here’s a possible scam scenario:
You’ve received an email stating that your child has been selected and that a $1,000 check will be sent to you. You’ll have to cash it and send $300 back to cover setup costs, such as makeup, wardrobe, or other expenses. This is a classic sign of a scam. DO NOT take any checks or send money to anyone. Remember that casting directors pay talent, not the other way around. If you think you might be dealing with a scammer or you’ve already been scammed, please contact us at support@kidscasting.com and report the incident to your local authorities. In the U.S., you can also report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
