Spotting fake casting calls: seven warning signs

The more popular modeling and content creation become, the more people try to take advantage of newcomers. The good news is that most fake calls follow similar patterns and are easy to spot once you know what to look for.

The seven signs

1. A request for upfront fees for registration, an assessment or a so-called ‘mandatory’ photo shoot.
2. An unusually high fee for simple, vaguely described work.
3. Insisting on moving the conversation off the platform to personal messaging apps.
4. Urgency and pressure to decide within hours.
5. Requests for private or inappropriate personal photos as a ‘test’.
6. No company name or address, or a brand-new profile with no reviews or verification.
7. An unprofessional location, such as a private flat, with no information about the crew.

The golden rule: a serious client pays you; it never asks you to pay it.

What to do if a casting call looks suspicious

• Do not send any money, bank details or copies of your ID.
• Stay inside ModelGo messaging so that everything remains on record.
• Use the ‘Report’ button on the listing or the conversation, and our safety team will review it.
• Talk to someone you trust before agreeing to any unusual offer.

Look for the verification badge on the client's profile and read reviews from talent who have worked with them before you reply to any offer.

If you have already been caught out

Do not feel embarrassed. Report it to us straight away, keep screenshots of the conversations and receipts for any transfer, and contact your bank to try to stop the payment. You can also file a report through the official channels for cybercrime.

And remember that being careful is not rude. Professional clients understand your questions and answer them clearly; anyone who dodges them has given you reason enough to say no.