When “Hollywood” Texts You Out of Nowhere

By Greg Collier

You’re minding your business, and your phone buzzes.

“Hey! I’m a talent scout. Are you available tomorrow for a virtual open call for Ted Lasso?”

And for half a second, your brain does the whole wait… is this my moment?

That’s the hook.

According to an FTC consumer alert, this “virtual casting call” text is showing up as a new-ish phishing/sales-scam hybrid: unsolicited message → fake audition → pressure tactics → you paying money or handing over bank info.

What’s going on

The script is pretty consistent:

  1. You get an unexpected text from a supposed “talent scout” or casting person, often name-dropping big, recognizable titles (the FTC uses examples like “The Devil Wears Prada 2” and “Ted Lasso”).
  2. They ask if you’re available immediately (“tomorrow” is a favorite) for a “virtual open call” you never signed up for.
  3. If you respond, you wind up in a video “audition” that’s actually a sales pitch for junk: overpriced/bogus headshots, fake acting classes, “portfolio packages,” etc.
  4. The “plot twist” is always the same: you must pay something first or provide bank/payment information “to secure your spot.”

Red flags

If you see any of these, treat it like you just spotted the boom mic in frame:

  • Unsolicited contact (especially a text) offering a “casting call” you didn’t pursue.
  • Artificial urgency: “tomorrow,” “last chance,” “limited slots,” “secure your spot.”
  • Money before anything else: fees for headshots, “test shoots,” registration, background checks, “membership,” or “booking deposits.”
  • Bank info talk early: anything nudging you toward routing/account numbers, debit card details, or payment links before there’s a legitimate agreement.
  • A “virtual audition” that turns into sales pressure, not casting.

How to protect yourself

  • Don’t respond. Not “stop,” not “who is this,” not anything. Engagement tells them your number is live.
  • Research the names. Search the “casting call” or the “casting director” name plus words like scam / review / complaint.
  • Never pay to get paid. Legitimate agencies get paid from the work—after the client pays—rather than charging you to “unlock” a job.
  • Report the text. Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) or use your phone’s “report junk” feature, then delete it.
  • Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

Quick Tip: If a legitimate opportunity shows up, it can survive verification. A real casting process won’t collapse because you asked for a real company email, a verifiable listing, or time to confirm details. A scam can’t survive daylight. That’s why it lives in surprise texts, urgency, and payment demands.

Final Thoughts

If “Hollywood” finds you via a random text and wants money or bank info before you can even “audition,” you’re not being discovered.

You’re being harvested.

Further Reading

Discover more from Greg's Corner

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.