High riskJob

Photography Gig Scam

In this scam, a fake client books you for a photography or videography gig, sends a cheque for more than agreed to cover a venue, equipment, or a second vendor, and asks you to forward the difference before it bounces.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Fake cheque / overpayment (creative gigs)
Main red flag
A photo gig that sends an overpayment cheque and asks you to pay a venue or vendor.
What to do first
Do not forward funds; a cheque can be reversed after it appears to clear.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, a fake client books you for a photography or videography gig, sends a cheque for more than agreed to cover a venue, equipment, or a second vendor, and asks you to forward the difference before it bounces.

Job and employment scams exploit hope and momentum with an easy "hire", work-from-home promises, and tasks that supposedly pay commission. The tell is the direction money flows: real employers pay you, while scams get you to pay in for training, equipment, or to "unlock" earnings, or to hand over bank and ID details.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A photo gig that sends an overpayment cheque and asks you to pay a venue or vendor. Do not forward funds; a cheque can be reversed after it appears to clear.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Social Media Manager Job Scam or the Overpayment Scam, browse the Job Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

Fast-growing
business and job-opportunity scams are among the fastest-growing fraud types reported to the FTC
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
$10.3B
total reported US fraud losses in 2023 across all categories
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Booking you for our event! I've sent a cheque covering your fee plus the venue. Please forward the venue's share to this account.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: A photo gig that sends an overpayment cheque and asks you to pay a venue or vendor.

Red flags to watch for

  • A booking with little detail or no contract
  • An overpayment cheque with money to forward
  • A request to pay a venue, planner, or vendor
  • Payment of the balance by transfer or gift card
  • Pressure to act before the cheque 'expires'

What to do

  • Do not forward money until a cheque has fully cleared
  • Use clear contracts and your own payment terms
  • Confirm with your bank that funds are truly settled
  • Report the scheme to your bank and authorities

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you forwarded money, contact your bank immediately
  • Expect the cheque to be reversed, leaving you liable
  • Keep the cheque and messages as evidence
  • Report the client

What not to do

  • Do not forward funds from an uncleared cheque
  • Do not pay a venue or vendor on a client's behalf this way
  • Do not work without clear terms

Similar scams

High risk Job

Social Media Manager Job Scam

In this scam, you are hired to manage a company's social media without a real interview, sent a check to cover 'ad spend' or tools, and asked to forward most of it to a vendor before the check bounces.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Bank & Payment

Overpayment Scam

A buyer, employer, or 'client' sends you a payment or cheque for more than they owe, then asks you to send the extra back. The original payment is fake or is later reversed, leaving you out of pocket for the refund you sent.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Job

Fake Job Offer Scam

This scam offers a job with little or no interview, then asks for upfront fees, personal documents, or bank details to 'set you up.'

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

Why would a client overpay and ask me to forward funds?
It is a fake-cheque scam. The cheque bounces after you forward the money, leaving you liable for the difference.
How do I avoid this as a photographer?
Use clear contracts and your own payment terms, never forward funds from a cheque, and confirm with your bank that funds have fully cleared.
I forwarded the venue's 'share'. What now?
Contact your bank immediately, keep your evidence, and report it; the cheque will likely be reversed.
How should client payments work?
Through your own invoicing and payment terms, with clients paying venues and vendors directly, not via you cashing a cheque.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.