MODELING AGENCY SCAMS

MODELS! Earn $100 per hour or $500 per day as a fashion or commercial model. Full or part time. No Experience necessary. Real people types, such as children, grandmothers, college students, and construction workers welcome. No Fee.

If you have dreams of becoming a model, this ad may be tempting. But before you sign a contract, learn how to sort out the legitimate modeling agencies from the scams.

This fact sheet will give you tips on how to detect and avoid fraudulent modeling schemes and tell you where you can go for help if you become a victim of a scam.

HOW THE SCAM WORKS: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently brought a case against a modeling agency that placed ads in newspapers to encourage potential models, both men and women, to meet company representatives for group screenings. Many of the newspaper ads stated, "no fee." At follow-up interviews, however, the selected applicants were asked to sign a contract agreeing to participate in classes and to pay more than $1,000 in advance for photographs that were required before they could work as models. In the end, most of the would-be-models received no photographs and no job leads. The company simply packed up and left town.

HOW TO SPOT THE SCAM: It may not be easy to recognize a modeling scam because many of the advertising claims and practices may resemble those used by legitimate modeling agencies. However, listed below are some common advertising claims that should make you suspicious:

"NO FEE": If a modeling agency advertises that there is no fee for its services, you should be wary any time you are asked to pay. Most legitimate agencies make money only by taking a commission from their models' work. An exception, however, is that you may be charged for your picture to be in an agency book that they send to clients who hire models. Make sure you pay only your portion of the printing costs. Also, ask to see a copy of the agency book before you pay any money.

"EARN HIGH SALARIES": Only experienced, top models can expect to receive large salaries.

"WORK FULL OR PART TIME": The hours of a model are uneven and sporadic. You will not have the flexibility to choose your own hours.

"REAL PEOPLE TYPES SHOULD APPLY: Some ads encourage people of all shapes, sizes, and ages to apply for commercial modeling work that involves the sale of a product. Opportunities do exist for "real people" models, but they are rare.

Since it may be difficult to recognize a modeling agency scam only from their advertising claims, watch out for agencies that:

CHARGE YOU MONEY TO TAKE THEIR CLASSES, BEFORE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR MODELING WORK. A legitimate modeling agency may provide instruction on applying makeup or walking, but most do not charge you for classes. An exception to this is when a modeling agency also serves as a modeling school. A modeling school does charge for classes, but that is a separate function from finding you work as a model.

CONDUCT AN UNPROFESSIONAL PHOTO SHOOT. Once a modeling agency agrees to represent you, you will need photographs for your portfolio. In the larger modeling markets, such as New York or Los Angeles, the photographs typically are taken in separate photo sessions, each using different clothes, makeup, and hairstyles. And often the model's portfolio is put together with photographs from more than one photographer. In smaller markets, all photographs may be shot in one session by one photographer, but you should still look different in all your photographs by wearing a variety of cosmetics, clothes, and hairstyles.

REQUIRE A PARTICULAR PHOTOGRAPHER. If the modeling agency requires you to work with a particular photographer, chances are the photographer is working with the modeling agency and they are splitting the fee. A legitimate modeling agency may recommend that you work with a certain photographer, but be skeptical if they are insistent.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF.
The best protection against losing your money to a phony modeling agency is to take precautions. The following list may help you reduce your chances of losing money: