You might get a message (through e-mail, voicemail, or text message), advertising a company that is willing to pay if you give them positive testimonials. They will offer a phone number where you can call and find out more information. Once you call that number, somebody will ask you a few questions and then say you qualify for the payment.

They pay a few hundred dollars for a couple of testimonials, but - because they are afraid that you might get the money and not leave any testimonials – they will ask you for a deposit, somewhere around $50 - “just to make sure people are serious”. Several victims fall for this scam, as they pay the deposit but never receive any follow-up information.

How to avoid: never paid first in order to get paid for a gig.