Anyone here work in tv production? Discovery channel reached out to me.

So I have a question for anyone that is in tv production or familiar with the process of on-site filming.

I recently received a FedEx envelope from a show on the ID Discovery called "on the case with Paula zahn". Don't know if you're familiar with it, I wasn't but it does exist. They said the wanted to shoot a few segments in our house due to it's gruesome past. I won't get into much detail on it because a simple Google search will reveal my address and there's a crap load of crazies out there.

Anyways, they're offering to pay us to use the house for a few hours and said there will only 3 people max. The also said that they only want to shoot one part of the house and promised that would be the extent of their visit.

So feeling pretty comfortable with their offer I decided to email them back. But before I did, I decided to do a little digging around on Google to check the legitimacy of their company. Not all but most of the names and company checked out. Fake websites can be made easily though..

Moving forward, I continued to email with the person who sent me the FedEx letter and was sent W9 form and paid location form. The W9 requires a social security number of course and this is where I got kind of sketched out. I don't know this person, they reached me out of the blue and scammers are getting pretty creative these days.

I continued to email with the person and they assured me that they are who they say they are. They gave me a link to their LinkedIn account and phone number. But I cant find much on the internet that matches them to the company they claim to be with. All I found was a empty Facebook and simple IMDb account with the crime show linked.

So, do you think this is legitimate? I'm not sure what I want to do, the money is good but not worth having my identity compromised. The forms look good and I've tried to call discovery channel corporate but I never get through. I need to let them know before the end of the week.

Please, let me know what you think!


Original fedex'd letter

 

You won’t go into detail because crazies can google search and get your address but willing to put it on tv?

 

@medicfung

@Shmellmopwho

 

Our address and our names are not included. Thanks for your concern

 

But the details are and the google search would reveal the address was the way I read it anyway.

 

I'm not trying to post my address on TW for one. The show is not blasting my exact address for two. Why does this matter?

 

Easy enough to verify, call their corporate office and ask around.
https://www.google.com/search?q=wei...4wLjGYAQCgAQHAAQE&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp

 

I tried that too, no one answered adding to the mystery. Thanks though

 

Wow, this is a tough one considering the date. Would this "Certificate of Insurance" be of any help this late in the month?

 

Seriously lol. The certificate is dated for today so I'm not sure how the coverage extends.

 

Ah, totally...

 

Are you THAT hard up for money? I’d tell them to scram.

 

Seems like a lot of trouble for it to be a scam, but if it was me I’d do a hard pass. Not worth the potential headache.

But if you want to proceed, ask for a direct line to Discovery channel to prove they are legit. If they balk at all, walk away.

 

Not really but it would definitely help the Tacoma mod fund

 

I like this idea

 

You have lawyer? Get a free consult.

 

CoI's are usually dated the day they are sent. That's common to show they're current. Everything you've posted looks like fairly standard stuff for a business wanting to use your facility. W9 so you get paid legally, CoI is something business send to their customers all the time.

Seems legit to me. Obviously do your due diligence, but I don't see any issues with it from the paperwork you've shown. If it's a scam, it's a pretty damn committed and elaborate one.

 

Right on, Thank you for the info and advice! Much appreciated

 

dude this is a scam, I get these every year i my po box cus i have a business and they send you a fedex letter and then a cashier check, this is a scam, its 2021 if someone wants to do business fhey can hit you up