Hi all!
My question is: How much sensitive information is it the norm to request at an open audition in your area?
In recent months I have noticed a trend in Greece where, when auditioning at an open call (publicly advertised, with no middle-people/managers/agents etc.), casting directors and production offices request key sensitive information - including but not limited to ID numbers, Tax & Insurance info, and bank account IBAN numbers - prior to any callback or job offer.
This was not the case until very recently, and it has struck me as it feels extreme (and exposing) to provide this sensitive legal information when no assurance has been made that a collaboration is to go forward.
The first time this happened to me I had applied to be an extra for a [huge multinational] production which is being filmed in Athens. They followed up with me asking for this information, so I happily obliged. When I in turn followed up a few weeks later asking if there were any news (figuring there would be, given they were interested enough to reach out to me after my application to ask for this sensitive info) I was informed I wasn't cast - which is absolutely fine (OK I was rather sad and my ego was bruised, but we'll live)! However, it left me uncomfortable knowing that this team now had all this Personal Identifiable Information of mine, without actually hiring me.
In the last couple of months I have noticed this at every open call I have attended, and when asking the contact people "why", their responses have unimaginatively been "so as to speed up the process" (a bit odd, if you don't hire me), and "so that we don't lose time tracking you down if we need it" (super odd, as you have also requested both landline and mobile numbers, email address, and social media handles). Part of my job as an actress literally is to be "a person ready to be found", - we all watched La La Land. My only reasoning is that they need it to cross-reference any legal records - but this still does not explain why they'd need Tax or Bank Info.
Ultimately, the answers I got do not clarify the need for this, legally, and the reactions I have gotten for asking make me feel pressured to provide this information without pushback, or risk being seen as difficult and losing jobs. FUN.
Thank you for taking the time to read this; any feedback you have is welcome!
Thanks,
Athina
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Wow, what a story Athina Kefalopoulos! I think you have every right to be concerned about sharing your personal info - particularly related to your taxes, insurance, and bank info. Now, I live in the US - so things may be run differently here - but I would air on the side of not ever giving out bank/tax info unless you have been hired for a job and have to include it in your paperwork to get paid and taxed appropriately.
Your social media handles and email - sure, that makes sense if they want to look more into your online presence - but I would definitely caution you about giving out financial information at auditions!
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Taylor C. Baker Thank you for sharing your feedback! Riiight? How ironic that this has started happening post-GDPR. I haven't provided the information (and won't) but it's interesting to see the reactions given when I asked about it. Even more so when the general atmosphere created is such that if you don't provide the information to begin with, they won't give your tape a second look. Super fishy.
Hi
Hi Kinney Scott! What's your experience with this been?
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Yeah, I concur with Taylor. As someone who used to do casting, the only reason they would need that information is if they are checking your credit, which should not be a condition of employment, or if they've already hired you, in which case it would be part of your start paperwork/contract. So... yeah, it's either a scam or an extension of a mob, and either way, run and keep your sensitive information with you LOL!
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Yeah, asking for that info shouldn't happen anywhere in the world until you're under a contract. In the US, since Covid, the only change is that you now do your start paperwork (SAG-AFTRA contract, tax forms, etc) digitally, instead of it waiting for you in your trailer on your first day.
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Eesh that's horrible, sounds super dodgy. Is there a Greek actors guild you could approach for support?
Providing someone your bank account number is how you usually get paid Been doing this quite some time just a bit "North" of you and my money's still in place :)
Over the Fall's COVID season, my Agency gathered copies of all the legal info that you generally take to set: Tax info, ID's, etc. in order to give this info ahead of time when you book a rile. Perhaps others are trying to do this - however, I would prefer somone I knew doing it.
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Joanna Karselis Yes, we have sent the information to the Actors' Union and they are now looking into this as they have received multiple reports. This tactic has not been officially implemented by the Union, so the casting offices should not be asking for this information unless they are actually hiring you (and not before). We'll have news soon!
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Kiril Maksimoski Agreed; however this information is to be provided after they have announced they are actually hiring you. There is no legal need for them to have Tax and Bank information unless a job offer has been made, and you have actually been cast - because if they do not hire you, then your sensitive info is just sitting there in their database without cause.
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Steve James This absolutely makes sense, if the agency representing you is doing it. On this end, it has been a case of open audition casting directors asking for this information right off the bat, without a job offer or representation agreement being made, which seems very unnecessary.
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Karen "Kay" Ross Exactly! Thankfully more people have complained about this to the Greek Actor's Union and they are looking into it, so progress is being made!
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Matthew Cornwell Thanks for weighing in on this - that makes sense!
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Yes, Athina, your instincts are correct, and thank you for bringing up this situation. No one should ever ask for your financial or tax info before you are hired for the job.