What happens when a casting is investigated

When a casting is reported to us, or our team spots something that needs checking, we investigate it before it can stay on enCAST. This page explains what we do, what to do in the meantime if you applied to the casting, and what happens once we have decided.

What we do #

We take the casting offline straight away while we check it.
We look carefully at everything we have been sent. The more evidence we have, such as emails and screenshots, the better.
We contact the production to get their side of the story. We never tell them who reported the casting.
We message everyone who applied to let them know the casting is being checked.

A casting being investigated does not mean it is a scam. Many reported castings turn out to be genuine. It means we have not confirmed it yet.

If you applied to the casting #

What to do until we confirm

Stop replying to the poster or anyone connected to the casting.
Do not send recordings, self-tapes or voice work.
Do not share personal details, ID documents or bank details.
Do not sign an agreement or contract.
Do not pay anything, for any reason.

Follow these steps even if the project looks legitimate, and even if you have been told you are selected. Scam castings are written to look real.

Do I need to block the person?

No, not yet. You only need to stop exchanging messages. Keep the conversation, including any emails, so there is a record. Do not delete anything.

I was already talking to them by email

Many applicants move to email before our message arrives. That is not a problem in itself. Stop replying for now and keep the emails.

If you have only sent a showreel, voice reel, CV or public links such as YouTube or Spotlight, the risk is low. These are materials you share with productions anyway.

What to send us

Anything you received helps us check the casting faster. Forward it to us through your Messages inbox on enCAST:

the email address the person used
the full text of their emails
any agreement, contract or script they sent
screenshots of any other conversations

Warning signs

A personal email address, such as Gmail or Outlook, instead of a company address.
An agreement that names a real, well-known company, while the contact email is on a different domain.
A very high fee for a short job, for example thousands for a few pages recorded at home within days.
Being told you are selected and sent the full script before any audition or contract.
Pressure to reply or sign quickly.

Never pay to be paid

A genuine production never asks you to send money. Refuse if you are asked to:

cash a cheque and forward part of it to a "vendor", agent or equipment supplier
open a bank account, or pay money in, to "confirm", "release" or "unfreeze" a payment
pay any fee for registration, a contract, a work permit or travel

Read The cheque scam explained to see how this works.

If you have already sent bank details or paid money

Contact your bank straight away and tell them what happened.
Report it to your local police or national fraud reporting line.
Tell us in your Messages inbox so we can add it to the investigation.

How long the check takes #

Most checks take a few days to a week. Some take longer, depending on how quickly the production answers us and how much there is to check. We contact you as soon as we have a result, so there is no need to chase us.

If you applied, you will not miss the opportunity by waiting. Your application has already been sent.

What we decide #

If the casting is genuine

We put the casting back online. Applications already made have gone through, so there is no need to apply again. If the production had already been in touch with you, you can carry on the conversation with them as normal.

If the casting is a scam

We remove the casting permanently and usually ban the person who posted it from enCAST for life. Do not reply to them again, on enCAST or by email. If they contact you afterwards, forward the message to us.

We send the outcome to your enCAST Messages inbox, and you receive an email notification when it arrives.