Scam Help

[chenofan]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:31pm

Hey everyone. I was hoping someone could help me. I have a friend who was contacted by Model Search America about attending a modeling showcase. Does anyone know if this company is legit? I am worried as is he that it may not be as great as it sounds..PLEASE help if you can!

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:39pm

It may be a scam, or as Jersey said, it may be legit.

Search the Internet and you will find info.

Or, call the Better Business Bureau to see if there are any complants.




Updated On: 2/1/06 at 09:39 PM

[Plum]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:39pm

Contacted how? Do they have a working phone number and snail mail address?

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 9:52pm

Model Search America is actually one of the more legit scouting agencies out there. What they want is for you to pay around $1000 to go to one of their "conventions." When you go, you are seen by hundreds of modeling companies. Then they call back the people that the individual companies are interested in. If you are not chosen, you are asked to leave, but can come back for half price. If you stay, you are given the names of the companies interested in you and you make the contact. Keep in mind that most people warn that you shouldn't have to pay a thing to be seen by these companies.

If your friend doesn't have a portfolio, he will need that, too. And that can cost thousands. :/

[chenofan]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 10:30pm

Thanks for the help all of you. I am checking it all out. I knew that the wonderful people of BWW would have advice for me

[DBillyP]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 10:34pm

Let me reiterate what Jersey said: you should NEVER pay money up front. An agency should makes it money WHEN it gets you work.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 10:38pm

I am not a model, but I cannot imagine paying up front for any talent agency whether it be modeling, acting, or temping!!!

[chenofan]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 10:40pm

That is what I said! I also asked - who would send you to a modeling convention with out ever meeting you face to face? To me it seems a bad idea - like they just want your money, but I wanted to see what others had to say before I made up my mind.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 10:46pm

Most of them tell you that you could be really good, "if you take our classes." The classes are around $1800 and there is no guarantee that you will see ANY advertisers.. It's all a buncha crap.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 10:46pm

Wait, how did they know to contact him? Have they even seen him?

[Plum]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 10:52pm

Sites like Snopes help to debunk all kinds of scams, so that might help in the future.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 2/1/06 at 10:56pm

This one is really not called a scam anywhere online.