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Today’s Quick Voiceover Tip: How To Spot Common Voiceover Scams
Voiceover scams are a real threat to actors and other professionals in the industry. Unfortunately, these predators are always on the lookout for unsuspecting victims who don’t know any better. It’s important to be aware of the signs of a scam so you can protect yourself from becoming a victim.
The Overpayment Scam
The most common type of voiceover scam is an overpayment scam. This is when someone offers you more money than what was agreed upon for your services. They will then ask you to wire them back the difference or send them a check for the amount they overpaid. The problem is that once you do this, you won’t get paid at all and will have lost your money.
The most common one going around the last few years was the “game show host” scam. It was the SAME email for YEARS! You would “kindly” be hired for a voiceover job as a game show host.
But there is no game show host voice over job, no studio, and the initial check bounced and your (real) payment to the fraudsters is never to be seen again.
Payment Up Front
Another type of voiceover scam is when someone promises you work but requires payment upfront before any work can be done. This should be a red flag as legitimate companies never ask for payment before providing services. Additionally, if someone asks for personal information such as bank account numbers or social security numbers, this should also be seen as a warning sign that something isn’t right.
It’s also important to research any company or individual offering voiceover services before agreeing to anything. Check out their website, read reviews online, and contact people who have worked with them in the past to get an idea of their reputation in the industry.
When In Doubt, Reach Out To The Voiceover Community
If you aren’t sure if it’s a scam, reach out to other voice actors in social media groups or other voiceover communities. Many of us have seen all the scams, and can warn you. Sometimes new scams pop up, but they are usually based on the same idea. When in doubt, ask around.
And if you are wondering if you should “play with the scammers” knowing they are up to no good. I can tell you from personal experience, when you do this SOME scammers will just disengage and never be heard from again.
HOWEVER…
I had one instance where it became downright frightening when the scammer began making threats to me…then he listed some personal details along with my home address!
Don’t play with these people. THE DELETE KEY IS ALL YOU NEED.
Finally, it’s important to remember that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is! If someone offers you more money than what was agreed upon or promises guaranteed work without any proof of their legitimacy, it’s best to walk away and look elsewhere for opportunities instead of risking being scammed out of your hard-earned money.
M. Bruce Abbott is the Creative Director/Partner at Radio Lounge. Bruce has over 30 years experience as a voice actor, casting and production director, as well as extensive advertising, marketing, and podcasting experience.
