Actors in San Diego and across the U.S. are getting hit with text messages about supposedly open casting calls that quickly morph into paid sales pitches. Targets say that a brief exchange, sometimes just replying “yes,” shuttles them into a so-called “virtual audition” that turns into hard-sell pressure to buy photo shoots, classes, or a reserved place in a fake casting line. The scheme leans on performers’ familiarity with paid services and audition fees, which makes the offer sound uncomfortably close to business as usual.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, reports of job-related “task scams” jumped sharply, hitting roughly 20,000 complaints in the first half of 2024, and reported losses to job scams topped $220 million over that same period. The agency warns that scammers commonly reach jobseekers through unsolicited texts or messaging apps and often use small early payouts to build credibility before circling back to ask for money.
As detailed by SideHusl, one version of the pitch opens with something like, “Are you still available for the open casting call tomorrow?” Responders are then steered into a supposed virtual audition that is really a high-pressure sales session for services the victim is told to pay for up front. Victims say scammers claim to represent casting directors or name popular shows to make the request sound urgent and legitimate…