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:
- 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”).
- They ask if you’re available immediately (“tomorrow” is a favorite) for a “virtual open call” you never signed up for.
- 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.
- 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.
Leave a Reply