How to recognize a voiceover email scam

The voiceover world gets bombarded with them, so I’ll break down my process for weeding them out using one email I recently received. I’ll replace the company name they stole with “Scam Company Global” instead.

• The tone of the email immediately threw up multiple red flags with words and phrasing that make no sense in the context of project based voiceover: “I write to present the Scam Company Global Ltd. Job offer. We are looking for qualified new colleagues to shape the future of Scam Company Global Ltd alongside interesting work in diverse areas.…… for a Voice Over Artist job position.”
  • Melissa’s note: No one looking for a VO would write like that. It was clearly copied and pasted from a corporate careers page
• Check out the email address it’s coming from. Is the company called Scam Company Global but the email address is scamcompanyglobals? (see the extra s at the end?) Check out the domain. IS it an actual company or could it BE an actual company if you remove an extra letter that doesn’t seem to belong?
• Is the “CEO” of what sounds like a large company using a gmail address? Or copying it to someone in the company with a gmail address?
  • Melissa’s note: Yes, creatives often use gmail addresses but a creative wouldn’t use the above language. And an “HR coordinator” at a corporation wouldn’t use FakeName.hrcoordinator@gmail.com
• Does a google search of someone’s name in the email match up with anything legitimate? And does it sound like this? ”You’ve been ascribed to MR Fake Name (MBA) (HR Coordinator) of Scam Company Global Ltd.”
  • Melissa’s note: If you look up Mr. Fake Name and see he’s on the board of directors of any company, why would he be in charge of “HR coordinating” a voiceover job? How much sense does that make?
• “Please indicate your interest in an interview by reaching Mr Fake Name (MBA) on Telegram using this link ……. ”
  • Melissa’s note: All I have to say to that is There are multiple ways to quickly suss out whether an email is legit or not. All it takes is just a couple minutes to do. Don’t let your hopes get the better of your judgement.

Generously provided by Melissa Exelberth, Voice Talent