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  • NOTE: FOR CASTING CALLS AND JOBS, THE VIRGINIA FILM OFFICE ONLY POSTS PAID POSITIONS UNLESS IT IS FOR A STUDENT PROJECT.

Alert: Film Industry Job Offer Scam Circulating – Information Below

The Virginia Film Office has been made aware by several Virginia film community members of a film industry job scam that has been circulating, a version of what happened in Maryland previously (link at bottom of post).

Please note: the Virginia Film Office hotline serves as an information resource only; postings are not endorsed or verified by the VFO.  Please do your homework before submitting any personal information to any job/crew/casting position.  Please read more for the specifics of this particular scam, similar phishing attempts like it, and tips on how to be vigilant and exercise extra caution.

Scammers are increasingly targeting those searching for work — especially in creative industries like film, TV, and production. There have several instances of scammers using the names of legitimate producers to offer fake production assistant jobs, with the goal of obtaining money and/or personal information.

Common Format:

Someone claiming to be a film producer and/or casting director (using the name of a real industry professional) contacts job seekers and offered them a high-paying production assistant position after watching them listed in a public film directory.

The scam generally works like this:

  • You receive a seemingly legitimate job offer by email or message.
  • The scammer claims to represent a real professional or production company.
  • They offer an unusually high pay rate or extra perks to entice you.
  • Before work begins, they ask you to deposit a check, then purchase equipment or send funds elsewhere.
  • The check turns out to be fake, and you can be left responsible for the money your bank honors.

This is a variation of the check cashing / job scam that fraudsters use to trick people into paying money out of their own accounts under the guise of onboarding, equipment purchase, or advance pay.

Red Flags to Watch For

  • You’re offered a job you didn’t apply for directly or without a formal interview.
  • The pay seems too good to be true compared to industry norms.
  • You’re asked to deposit a check you didn’t expect and then send money or buy gear.
  • They ask for personal financial information early in the process.
  • The recruiter or “producer” won’t talk directly with you through verifiable official channels.
  • The recruiter or “producer” has an email address, website, and/or phone number that does not connect with the individual they claim to be.

How to Protect Yourself

Before responding to job offers:

  • Research the company and the person who contacted you — look up their name, official website, and reviews online.  Does information online match the information in the email?
  • Contact the business through official channels (not the contact info provided in the suspicious message).
  • Never deposit checks from someone you’ve never worked with — legitimate employers will not send payment before work is done.
  • Talk with someone you trust — another professional, mentor, or official industry group (including the VFO) — before taking any next steps.

Unfortunately, scams like these have been on the rise in the past several years.  Please use extra caution and do your homework before responding to any unexpected and/or unconventional messages about job opportunities.

Link to article on scam in Maryland:

Job Seekers Targeted by Sophisticated Scammers Tailoring Schemes to Specific Industries

 

02.23.26

Margaret Finucane

Casting, Crew Positions, Education, Jobs, Press, Production