Staying alert to scams targeting performers is just as important as building your craft. A particular scam message has been making the rounds, designed to exploit performers’ passion for their work and the excitement of landing a commission. Here’s what it looks like, how to spot it, and what to do if it lands in your inbox.
What the Scam Looks Like
The message typically arrives as a direct message on social media, and tends to read something like this:
“Hello!! I went through your page and your tricks was amazing, are you up for a commission? Pls send me a message.“
“I’d like you to perform some pretty cool tricks for my son. His birthday is next week. I went through your page and I think I just fell in love with your tricks. Just a simple video of you performing those tricks which will have his name mentioned lol. Willing to pay you $200 if that isn’t stiff.”
“Myself and my husband have been thinking lately of bringing over a flow artist for our son’s birthday party but obviously as it looks that will cost above our budget but regardless your service is highly needed. I don’t wanna narrow your imagination, just want you to do your thing.”
If you’ve gotten a message like this before, or if one shows up in your inbox soon, treat it as a major red flag.
Red Flags to Watch For
This scam, like most of its kind, relies on a few consistent tactics. Here’s what to look out for:
Overly enthusiastic praise. Scammers lean heavily on exaggerated compliments to grab your attention and build rapport quickly. If a message feels like it’s flattering you a little too much before getting to the actual ask, take note.
Unusual payment terms. A high fee offered for a vague, simple task, or payment that feels rushed or urgent, is a classic lure. Legitimate clients negotiate based on the scope of work, not flattery and urgency.
Lack of specific details. Genuine clients almost always provide concrete information: a date, a time, a location, specific expectations for the performance. Vague requests dressed up with personal touches, like mentioning a child’s name, are designed to feel personal without actually being specific.
Informal language and errors. Watch for grammatical inconsistencies, overly casual phrasing, or language that feels unprofessional for what’s framed as a paid business inquiry.
Pressure for a quick response. Scammers create urgency to short-circuit your critical thinking. If a message pushes you to respond immediately without giving you time to verify anything, slow down.
How to Protect Yourself
If you receive a message that raises any of these flags, here’s how to respond:
Verify the request. Ask for more details about the event, including the date, location, and a way to confirm the client’s identity. A genuine client will have no issue providing this information. A scammer often will not.
Check their profile. Look closely at the sender’s social media account. Scammers frequently operate from newly created profiles with little activity, few followers, or generic content that doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.
Use secure payment methods. Never accept payment terms that require you to act before receiving secure, verified funds. Use platforms that offer payment protection rather than informal payment apps with no buyer or seller safeguards.
Trust your instincts. If something about a message feels off, it probably is. It’s always better to slow down and ask more questions than to rush into a situation you can’t verify.
Performers put themselves and their work out into the world every day, and that visibility, while necessary for building a career, can also make you a target. Staying informed about common scam tactics doesn’t mean approaching every inquiry with suspicion. It means knowing the signs well enough to tell the difference between a real opportunity and a scam dressed up to look like one.
Stay sharp, stay safe, and keep sharing your talent with the world.