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Modeling Tip: Scam Alert!
Model Scams
I’ve written about modeling scams before, but the questions about dubious modeling services, agencies, and scouts keep coming. As long as there are modeling scams (which there will be for as long as there are aspiring models), I’ll keep issuing warnings!
How to Spot a Modeling Scam
Often you can tell a legit website with photos of successful models from one with sub-par models featured on the home page.
IMG London: A Legit Model Agency Site
That’s one tip that could help this reader, as well as a reminder that alarm bells should go off if a company asks for money up front (in this case, even before meeting the aspiring model).
Her Question:
“I recently put up a pic and applied to a website in London (I am from Ireland); I received a text message saying they saw my application and would like me to ring them on a number he had sent me in the text. I did and he said they would like to see me in three weeks as my pic shows modeling potential. They sent me an email and would like to see me to assess me. They need 50 pounds deposit and I will get it back if I show up.”
My Answer:
| I would steer clear of any “modeling” related service that asks for money up front. You can submit your photos to legit agencies, like Next, Elite, and IMG in London, and they’ll tell you if they think you have modeling potential. It won’t cost you a penny (submit via email). Here is a link to the top London agencies: http://models.com/agencies/top/London/WomenGo to their sites and you’ll find info on how to submit.  Good luck! |
Stay tuned for a blog post on model agency open call times, coming next week.
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So glad you’re trying to raise awareness of model scams, it happens so often yet the media turns a blind eye to it. I did find a website that provided loads of advice, modelscams.org, which also led me to find two books, The Great Modelling Robbery and Shattered Dreams, Broken Promises (both by Jay Mitchell), which gave great advice on how I could still pursue my career as a model and to avoid any fake agencies/studios. Just something worth checking out for any potential models out there! I was scammed so feel it’s my duty to make sure everyone else is protected too!
can anyone tell me whether this lot is for real or just another scammer
Are you asking about ellemodels?
My daughter (living in Australia) just received this. WE’re presuming it’s a scam, and wondering how to go about dealing with it? She did contact the agency previously, but a few things about this don’t ring true.
Dear Madam,
I am the director of a model agency. Currently I am travelling around and looking for new faces to represent http://www.IMGmodels .com
Your appearance might fit to us to work as a model as well as a next swimsuit catalogue shooting in Milan. There is also another shooting for a fashion magazine (cover girl – implied pose) that you might be interested in. I would like to offer you a contract to work for us as well as these shootings. Please let me know if you are interested in my offer because for now I am very interested in working with you. The payment you get for a swimsuit shooting is 7,000$ – The payment you get for a fashion magazine is 20,000$. If you agree about the proposal, we will have a chance to talk in person about the proposal. However, we require our applicant to have a skype account.
This is our website for you to get more information about us. Please, as soon as possible let us know whether you are interested in working with us as a model.
http://www.IMGmodels.com
Legendary sports agent Mark McCormack founded IMG Models as a new division of the hugely successful IMG Worldwide. He believed models could be managed as talent in the same vein as professional athletes, actors, and other entertainers, and that their popularity could be leveraged into strong personal brands beyond the magazine page or runway. As you can see, the agency is located in Milan. We work on a modelling, advertisement and commercial film area. If you want, I might bring a model to a meeting to give you some confidence.This is a serious proposal and I would prefer to talk to people face to face in real life. Some people can use a programme (photoshop) for the photos and videos. That’s why, I need to make sure from you through skype before our meeting in person.
Note: You don’t need to pay money for a visa, flight and accommodation. You will be flown all expenses paid for the flight and hotel accommodation for a professional photo shoot session.
If you are interested in this proposal, you could get in touch with me about the proposal.
Best Regards,
Director
Andrea Cairo Ferrari
http://www.IMGmodels.com
Corso di Porta Romana 20
20122 Milano,
Main+39 02 7274 71
Fax+39 02 3656 2413
Hi Rosie,
Yes, this is very strange! While IMG is a top agency and the address they list is correct, an agency would not send you a message like this. First of all, magazines pay more like $200 even for a cover! Everyone wants tear sheets, so those are not money jobs. Second, you would sign with the agency and then go to castings and get cast. You wouldn’t be promised these jobs and this money before the agency has even met you. What were they asking for? To Skype with your daughter? You could potentially contact the authorities and see if they want to pursue this and see what happens/what they ask for during that Skype session. Keep me in the loop!
Thanks for alerting us to this.
Jill
Is next modeling a scam? They are saying it’s $200.00 a class and you have to take 3 classes
Next Model Management is a very successful international agency. I’m guessing the “next modeling” you are referring to is a different company. Please send me the link to their site. This ties into one of my warnings in this blog post: https://www.modelingmentor.com/blog/modeling-agency-appointment-what-to-expect-and-when-to-beware/