How to tell if a speaking request is valid and not a scam.

Have you ever received a speaking request and was unsure whether or not it was valid?

Over the years, some of our speakers have reported receiving what we refer to as phishing emails. This is where the alleged organizer, usually from a foreign country, directly contacts a speaker requesting them to speak but asks for bank account information or the speaker to put up funds in order to seal the booking.

To test the validity of an engagement, you can always agree to an invitation contingent on receiving half (or all) of the speaking fee up front, sent by money order, check, or through PayPal.

If you are ever unsure of a direct request you receive, please contact SpeakerMatch support at 866-372-8768 and forward the email to support@speakermatch.com. Our staff is happy to look into the validity of the engagement for you.

Remember: If they ask for any bank account information or for you (the speaker) to put up funds, it is likely a scam and you should avoid any future correspondence. Once they reply with a request for YOU to send money, we'll have some nice documentation to make the case that it is indeed a scam and report it to our community.

Posted on February 09, 2012