Screenwriting : Friendly Reminder: Stay Scam-Smart on Stage 32 by Wyman Brent

Wyman, you're doggone right...the thing to do is verify, verify, verify!

Jim Boston, my dogs agree with you. The other 100 animals on the farm feel the same way.

Thank you Wyman Brent for your advice in regard to the smart impersonating scammers. I was a victim of these scammers almost 9 months ago. Actually the way they deceived me I can explain very briefly. The impersonating publishing company name is "SCRIPTOR HOUSE" and they used the stage 32 platform (that they have stolen) to do my virtual pitching. I pitched with two impersonating for producers via skype but no reponse then one by name Daren who' claims to be a producer take the space and lead through a simingly factual film making undertakings. Finally I became a victim of these scammers to lose almost 24,000 dollar. They reduced me to be a homeless.

Hiabu Hassebu, I am truly sorry to hear that. I would love to believe that people are in love with my music and story ideas. However, I know that there is massive competition. Plus, I always confirm, reconfirm and then check again on everything and everyone.

The one that makes me very furiouse is the fact they have stolen my IP. Still the DEMONS 44 are following me where ever I go. Mr. Wyman I appreciate for your kind approach to the matter you prctically intervened to help me to avoid the smart scammers.

Wyman Brent Hi Wyman, did this happen on Stage 32? Did you report it to the team at supportstage32.com or communitystage32.com

Geoff Hall, yes I did report it by email. I also alerted one of the moderators. I have also posted this warning in several lounges and on my personal wall. I also alerted some of the people who are currently connected with the scammer.

Well done, Wyman Brent These scammers do appear on the site from time to time and it’s great that you followed the right steps and contacted a Lounge Moderator, as well as the Stage 32 staff.

Geoff Hall, thank you. This is the second scammer I have encountered here in the past few days. The other one has already been booted. However, he was on here before and came back using the same name and location. Anyway, the scammers are the exception here, fortunately.

Always good to be reminded of this, Wyman. I've gone through identity theft TWICE, so I'm generally paranoid about "stranger" contact and offers. It was bad enough having thieves impersonating me for fake licenses and credit cards. Having work that you invested your blood, sweat, and tears into snagged by miscreants would likely turn me into a "I have a special set of skills" vigilante!

Beware of this individual name "EDMON ROCH" He's one of the scammers.

I had an experience last week claiming to be the CEO of Atlas group LLC

Stephanie O'Leary, I am sorry to hear about the identity theft. I guess I am too boring. Nobody wants my identity. As for contacts, I am stranger than most. However, I do offer coffee and pastries if that is tempting. As for your special set of skills, I will ask from a distance just in case I get on your bad side.

Jude Kameron, I am glad that you did not fall for the scam. There are scammers everywhere, not just on Stage 32. We have to look out for each other.

Such a great reminder, Wyman — couldn’t agree more. Thanks for looking out for the community and helping keep Stage 32 a safe, supportive space!

Thanks Wyman. I had two happen to me in the past two months, posing as Udo Kier and Samantha Housman. I almost believe "Udo" at first, until he wanted me to pay $8,000 to travel to Hawaii for a "session."

Hi, Hiabu Hassebu. Sorry to hear you got scammed and everything that happened because of it. Can you send Edmon's name, Stage 32 profile, and screenshots of his messages to support@stage32.com? If you can't send screenshots, copy and paste his messages when you email Support. Thanks.

Hi Maurice I already sent you the screenshot of the individual.

Oh ok, Hiabu Hassebu. I get a lot of messages. I looked through some of them, and I couldn't find your message. We must've talked a while ago. Can you send the screenshot to Support? Support and other members on the Stage 32 Team are the ones who remove scam accounts.

Sydney S, you are welcome. I am just doing my job on this very creative planet.

Joshua Viers, you are welcome. We need to look out for each othere.

Wyman, you sound like you're a hoot, so I suspect we'd get along (I like funny people :D) Tempting me with carbs and caffeine? You're two for two now for becoming friends (although I need more of both like another hole in my head.) As for my "special set of skills," they are only employed under extreme duress (and the number of people on my @;@!!!!!!!! list is small.) Be at peace, fellow scribe *

So many scammers. Thieves and liars. Each day I get a couple 'offers'. On phone and email and here.

I have been scammed by people who won't pay for my work, work that was done, people trying to steal on credit cards, and so many more examples.

In a corrupt world, which starts at the very top, honesty is rewarded by disdain.

I am new to all of this ... so thank you.

R.A. Lee, you are very welcome. I am no Stage 32 expert. However, I am pretty expert at spotting scammers.

3 scammers have contacted me since I became a member last year. Including 2 who had stolen someone's identity. I have reported them. And admin has deleted them. I don't know what is the best strategy to get rid of them, but as a comedian, I have considered the possibility to waste their time.

Göran Johansson, great idea. I considered hitting them with a cream pie in the face. Just that the pie would have a rock inside it. Just an idea.

The main problem is to catch the impersonating scammers. Is very tough not to believe them when they use the name, picture and real profile of prominent Hollywood elites in the industry. Even when you try to google still the fact is there. Everything looks right because the way they impersonate is very smart. The last impersonating by name Edmon Roch is a real film maker with his company. I directly connected via the real e-mail and phone with the real person and he said that some has impersonated him. So what would say is make contact with the main company,

And publicly name the scammers when this happens.

Hiabu Hassebu and everyone:

One way to spot a fake account/scam account is if they don't have a profile picture, but that could just mean they haven't had the time to upload one yet.

Another way is to look at their profile bio. If they don't have a bio or their bio is full of typos and grammatical errors, they might be a fake account/scam account, but that's not always the case. Someone people just haven't filled out their bios yet, and English might not be their first language, so that could be why their bios are full of typos and grammatical errors.

Another way to spot a fake account/scam account is to check to see if they're active in the Lounges. If they aren't, it's a sign that they might be a fake account/scam account. That doesn't work all the time though. They might be a new member. Or they might just be busy, and they haven't made any Lounge posts yet.

Sometimes producers, directors, etc. have links to their websites, social media accounts, and IMDb page on their Stage 32 pages. That’s usually a sign that the Stage 32 account is legit, but sometimes a fake account posts the real person’s IMDb page on their Stage 32 page.

The best ways to tell if someone is fake are talking with them on their Lounge posts/through direct message (you should be able to pick up on things that'll show they're fake, like them not knowing certain things about projects they said they worked on) and having a Zoom meeting to see what they look like.

"So what would say is make contact with the main company." That's a great way too, Hiabu Hassebu.