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Watch out For Scams

There will undoubtedly be many times when someone will offer to help advance your career…for a fee. While this is to be expected in a capitalist society, there are some things that you don’t have to and should not pay for. There are others that you don’t have to pay a ridiculous price for and then there are those things that aren’t worth it no matter what the cost.

One of the biggest scams is when someone tells you that you have that certain something and ask if you’ve ever thought about being a model or an actor. Even though there are a number of very successful models and entertainers who were discovered just this way, most of the time it will be to good to be true. Usually, someone will call you to set an appointment, or you may be instructed to call them. You go in and they tell you how much promise you have and that you simply need to take some photographs or take some acting classes, which they offer, for a fee. Well, before you know it you have spent hundreds or even thousands of dollars and your career is really no further along. Here are a few of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to unsolicited help.

First of all be careful! You don’t know who this person is and if they are legitimate at all. Don’t give them personal information like your address. Get a business card from them and call the better business bureau to see if there are any complaints against the company or the Attorney Generals office to see if there are any claims pending against them and if they have a license to operate in the state.

Never give them any money. The way that an agency makes money is by getting work for you. Essentially, they work for you. When you get a job from an audition that they send you on, they get a percentage (usually 10%). With that said, if they truly believe that you have promise, you should not have to pay them to market your talents. If your research shows that the agency is legitimate and does get lots of good work, you may decide that a nominal fee is worth it to get in the door. In most instances, this just isn’t a good practice and you will probably just lose your money.

Finally, don’t sign anything until you have had a chance to take it home and look it over thoroughly. If everything is above board, an agency should not have a problem with you taking some time to look things over and think the situation through. You should only sign if you are sure, are not being pressured and can fully understand a simple, to the point agreement. You don’t want to be legally bound to a situation that is not good for you.

The Federal Trade Commission has a great online brochure on "How to Spot Talent/Modeling Agency Scams". It is a must read for anyone who is not sure of an agency's legitimacy. Go to the FTC web site at: http://www.ftc.gov/b...vices/model.htm

Where to Complain If you are Scammed
If you've think you've been scammed by a bogus model or talent scout, contact your local consumer protection agency, state Attorney General, or Better Business Bureau. They're in your local directory assistance.

You can file a complaint with the FTC by contacting the Consumer Response Center via one of the methods listed on their site at: http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/talk_to_us.htm