The Federal Trade Commission is warning people about a new scam that starts when you receive a text message from a scammer posing as a talent scout offering auditions for a well-known movie or television show.  The text message asks if you are available for a virtual open call audition the next day.  The audition ends up being a high pressure sales pitch to get you to sign up for phony photo shoots or fake acting classes.  Making matters worse, the scammers then ask for you to pay for services such as test shoots, head shots or even to “secure your spot” for an acting job.  Of course, all of it is a scam.  There are no jobs.  There are no photo shoots and there are no acting jobs.  Anyone paying for these services ends up losing their money.

TIPS

Particularly if you have never been a paid actor or actress, anyone receiving this initial text message should immediately know it is a scam.  If you have any thoughts that it might be legitimate, you can do a search engine search of the name used by the phony talent agent.  Type in scam next to the name used by the caller and see what comes up.  Also, real talent agencies don’t charge for their services.  They find jobs for their clients and get paid when their clients get paid.

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