Don't Get Played: A Songwriter's Guide to Spotting Scams and Protecting Your Royalties

Don't Get Played: A Songwriter's Guide to Spotting Scams and Protecting Your Royalties

By Russell Nomer, CISSP | July 30, 2025

There's a fire that drives every musician and songwriter. It's the passion to create, to connect, and to turn a melody in your head into something the world can feel. It's a noble pursuit, but unfortunately, that same passion can make you a prime target for predators who see your dreams as their next meal ticket.

The music industry is full of opportunities, but it's also littered with scams designed to separate you from your money, your intellectual property (IP), and your future royalties. Being a professional means more than just writing great songs; it means learning to spot the sharks. Here’s what to watch out for.

1. The "Pay-for-Playlist" Scam

This is one of the most common scams in the streaming era. You get an email or a social media DM from a "playlist curator" who claims to manage a massive Spotify playlist with tens of thousands of followers. They love your new single and promise to add it for a "small submission fee."

• The Lure: The promise of thousands of new streams and discovery by new fans.

• The Reality: You're paying to be placed on a "bot farm." These playlists are populated by fake accounts, not real listeners. Your stream count will temporarily spike with meaningless, fraudulent plays, but no actual person will hear your song.

• The Red Flags:

  • Any request for money in exchange for playlisting.

  • Guarantees of a specific number of streams.

  • Generic praise like "Your track is fire! Perfect for my playlist!" without any specific comments.

• The Danger: Not only do you lose your money, but Spotify actively purges bot-driven streams and can even remove your music from the platform for "artificial stream manipulation."

2. The Fake A&R / "Record Deal" Scam

This one preys directly on every artist's biggest dream. Someone contacts you claiming to be an A&R scout or executive from a major label like Universal, Warner, or Sony. They use official-looking logos and language, tell you that you have "the sound they've been looking for," and that they want to present you to the label.

• The Lure: A legitimate shot at a record deal.

• The Catch: Before they can present your music, they need you to pay for something. They'll call it a "submission fee," a "legal review fee," a "roster fee," or they'll insist you need to record a "professional demo" with their in-house producer... for a hefty price.

• The Golden Rule: Real A&R representatives and record labels will NEVER ask you for money. Their job is to find and invest in talent. Money should flow from the label to the artist, not the other way around.

3. The "Music Promotion" & PR Scam

You're looking for press, and you find a company that promises the world: features on major music blogs, radio airplay, and interviews with magazines. All you have to do is pay their monthly retainer or a large upfront fee.

• The Lure: Widespread exposure and the credibility that comes with press coverage.

• The Reality: After you pay, one of two things happens: they disappear completely, or they "deliver" by posting your song on a handful of fake blogs they created themselves—websites with zero traffic and no real readership.

• The Red Flags:

  • Vague promises without a clear, specific list of publications they work with.

  • High-pressure sales tactics and demands for large upfront payments.

  • A portfolio of "past clients" that seems suspicious or whose success is unverifiable.

• Your Due Diligence: Ask for a list of three artists they have recently worked with. Then, actually contact those artists and ask about their experience. A legitimate PR company will have happy clients who are willing to vouch for them.

4. The Sync Licensing "Opportunity"

Getting your song in a TV show, movie, or commercial (a "sync placement") can be a massive career boost and a source of significant income. Scammers know this. They'll pose as a "music supervisor" or "licensing agent" and offer to add your music to their exclusive catalog that they pitch to networks like Netflix, HBO, and major film studios.

• The Lure: Passive income and the prestige of a sync placement.

• The Scam: They charge a large, non-refundable "administrative fee" or "submission fee" to get your music into their catalog. Once they have your money, your songs sit on a hard drive, never to be pitched.

• The Legitimate Model: Reputable sync agents work almost exclusively on commission. They take a percentage (typically 20-50%) of the licensing fee after they successfully land you a placement. If you don't get paid, they don't get paid.

Your Anti-Scam Checklist: How to Protect Yourself

Navigating the industry can be tough, but you can protect yourself by thinking like a business owner.

1. Follow the Money: If an "opportunity" requires you to pay upfront for exposure, consideration, or a chance at a deal, it is almost certainly a scam. Walk away.

2. Google Everything: Research every single person and company that contacts you. Look for a professional website, verifiable credits on sites like Discogs or AllMusic, and interviews or articles in reputable publications. No online presence is a massive red flag.

3. Trust Your Gut: If a deal feels rushed, unprofessional, or too good to be true, it is. Period.

4. Ask for Verifiable Proof: Don't just trust a list of logos on a website. Ask for specific examples of their work and contact their past clients.

5. Understand the Business Model: Legitimate partners (managers, agents, publishers) make money with you through commissions and percentages of your earnings. Scammers make money from you with upfront fees.

Being cautious isn't being cynical—it's being a professional. Your music is valuable. Your dream is valuable. Don't let anyone take either away from you.