At PodcastGuests.com, our goal is to connect experts with legitimate podcast opportunities. But as the podcasting world grows, unfortunately, so do the scams. Recently, we’ve had a couple reports of fake podcast invitations – scams designed to steal your social media credentials, personal info, or even your money.
These scams are not coming through our platform, but we want to keep our community informed and protected. Especially because they could see you on our platform and then try to reach out to you through your website or social media account.
🚨 The Most Common Scam: Fake Podcast Invitations
Here’s how this scam typically plays out:
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You’re contacted by someone claiming to be a producer or host of a high-profile podcast (sometimes a real, well-known show).
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They invite you to be a guest and schedule a “tech check” or “pre-interview.”
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During the meeting (often on Zoom, WhatsApp, or Messenger), they ask you to:
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Share your screen or grant remote access (NEVER DO THIS)
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Log into Facebook
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Add them as an admin to your Facebook or Instagram page
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Click on links that mimic login pages
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If you follow through, they can hijack your account—locking you out, running scam ads, or worse.
💸 Another Version: The Payment Scam
In addition to social media scams, there are other scams targeting podcast guests:
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Pay-to-Play Scams: You’re invited to be a guest, but told you must pay a “production fee” or “editing fee” before the interview. The show either doesn’t exist, or your episode never gets published.
- Get “Paid” Scams: These scams offer sometimes large payments to be a guest on a podcast. They then ask to do a tech check, or share screens or get remote access. Just don’t do it.
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Affiliate “Interview” Scams: The podcast is just a front for selling you high-ticket coaching or services under the guise of an interview. You’re pressured post-interview to buy in.
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Fake Booking Agencies: Someone posing as a podcast booking agent offers to get you interviews—for a large upfront fee. They often disappear after payment.
At PodcastGuests.com, we never charge hosts to use our system to book guests.
🚩 Red Flags to Watch For
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The “host” uses a Gmail or personal email rather than a professional domain.
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They reference a famous podcast but can’t verify their connection.
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You’re pressured to act quickly or to pay up front.
- They claim they will pay you a big sum to be a guest.
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They ask you to log into social media during a call,share screen, or change page settings.
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The podcast has no public episodes or online presence.
✅ How to Protect Yourself
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Verify the podcast on platforms like Apple Podcasts.
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Google the show + “scam” to check for prior complaints.
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Ask for a website and recent guest list.
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Don’t share your screen or grant admin rights
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Never pay for a guest spot unless you understand exactly what you’re getting – and verify the podcast and booking person is real. (Remember we do not allow podcasts to charge guests on PodcastGuests.com)
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Enable two-factor authentication on Facebook and other key accounts.
🧠 Stay Smart, Stay Visible
Being a podcast guest is a powerful way to grow your visibility and share your expertise – but like any opportunity online, it’s worth doing your due diligence. By staying informed and cautious, you can keep your accounts safe and your reputation intact.
If you ever encounter something suspicious – on or off our platform – feel free to reach out and let us know.