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Safety · Talent

Scam Safety

Last updated 2026-01-15

The casting industry is targeted by criminals impersonating productions. Here is how a legitimate workflow looks — and how to recognise one that is not.

1. We will never ask you for

  • Money for submissions, callbacks, audition slots, "membership", or "verification".
  • Banking details, routing numbers, debit cards, gift cards, crypto wallets, or payment apps.
  • Your Social Security Number, passport, driver's licence, or other government ID outside a verified production's I-9 / payroll workflow.
  • Nude, semi-nude, or sexual imagery — for any reason, at any time.
  • To move the conversation off-platform to WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, or a personal email immediately after first contact.
  • To "audition" by reading suggestive material that was not part of the published breakdown.

2. A legitimate process looks like

  • You receive a breakdown describing a real, named project, with a casting director or production company that you can independently verify (Variety, IMDbPro, the studio's press site, SAG-AFTRA Production Listings).
  • Sides are provided under NDA in advance of a self-tape or in-person audition.
  • Callbacks are scheduled through a casting office or representative. Wardrobe/test shoots are at insured production locations with a UPM and AD on call sheets.
  • Intimacy work follows the SAG-AFTRA Intimacy Coordinator standards and a Nudity Rider delivered in advance; you may rescind consent at any time.
  • Pay is documented in a deal memo or contract before work begins. Payroll runs through an established payroll service (Cast & Crew, Entertainment Partners, etc.), not a personal Venmo.

3. Red flags

  • Pressure, urgency, secrecy.
  • Vague or unsearchable production name.
  • Personal email domain (gmail, outlook) for an alleged major studio.
  • Requests escalating from professional to personal in the first conversation.
  • Any mention of "wire fee", "background check fee", "talent agency registration fee".

4. If you are targeted

  1. Stop the conversation. Do not send money, ID, or imagery.
  2. Screenshot everything: messages, profile, account URLs.
  3. Report to SAG-AFTRA: sagaftra.org/contact-us/report-scam.
  4. Report to the FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov and your state Attorney General.
  5. Email us so we can block on this platform: [email protected].
  6. If imagery has been shared without your consent, use NCMEC's Take It Down service (under 18) or StopNCII.org (adults).

5. Resources

In plain English. TapToCast is a casting marketplace that helps talent, reps, casting teams, production teams, and producers connect around roles and submissions. We are not a talent agency, manager, employer, or union; we do not negotiate contracts, set rates, or guarantee work. Hiring decisions belong to the production. We host the listings and tools — you bring the craft. Questions about these policies go to [email protected]; suspected scams, impersonation, or abuse go to [email protected].