How to Spot Music Scam Emails: A Quick Guide

Wassup my fellow independent musicians! Let’s face it: scams are getting cleverer every day. If you’re like me, you’ve probably noticed an uptick in shady emails targeting musicians. These scammers know you’re in the music industry and are trying to exploit that. So, let’s break down how to spot these fraudulent emails and keep your hard-earned money safe.

Red Flags in Scam Emails

Here are the key things to watch out for:

1. Email Address Doesn’t Match the Sender

   • If an email claims to be from a major company like "Universal Music Publishing Group" but is sent from a Gmail or Yahoo address, it’s a scam. Legitimate companies use professional email domains, not free email services.

2. No Subject Line

   • A blank subject line screams laziness. Scammers don’t bother to personalise their attempts, and this is an easy way to identify a fake.

3. Generic Greetings

   • If the email doesn’t address you by name or your artist identity, it’s probably a copy-paste job. A genuine offer will include your name or your music brand.

4. Too Good to Be True Offers

   • Record labels don’t randomly email people with vague promises like, “We love your music!” without referencing a specific song or project. If the offer feels overly generous, it’s likely a scam.

5. Requests for Upfront Payment

   • Legitimate A&R representatives or music companies don’t ask for submission fees or upfront payments. They make money from your success, not from fees. If someone’s asking for cash, it’s time to hit delete.

6. Lack of a Professional Signature

   • A real email from a professional company will include details like the sender’s full name, position, company, and contact information. If the email just ends abruptly or lacks these details, it’s another red flag.

     
     

A Real-Life Example

Here’s a breakdown of a scam email I received:

• Sender’s Email: Came from a Gmail address rather than a company domain.

• Subject Line: None – instant red flag.

• Greeting: A generic “Hello,” without my name or my music alias.

• Content: Over-the-top promises with no specific details about my work.

• Request for Money: They asked for a “small fee” for submissions – a dead giveaway.

• Ending: The email lacked a professional signature and ended like a casual message to a friend.

Quick Recap

Here are the top six things to look for in scam emails:

1. A mismatch between the sender’s name and email address.

2. Missing subject line.

3. Generic or incorrect greetings.

4. Offers that are too good to be true.

5. Requests for money upfront.

6. Lack of professional details in the signature.

Final Thoughts

It’s 2025, and scams are getting more sophisticated. While the example I shared was fairly obvious, many scam emails are well-crafted and harder to detect. Always verify the sender’s details and think twice before responding to anything that feels off.

If you’ve encountered a shady email, share it in the comments below – let’s help each other out! For more tips and resources, visit my website and grab your free registration guide for protecting yourself in the music industry.

Stay safe out there, musicians!

Until next time,

Skill