Freelance Models Guide to Common Scams
I've been a model for the past four years and I've seen and heard of every scam imaginable. Whether you're an amateur or veteran model it's always possible for someone to scam you. This guide will detail not only current scams that are being run, but also how to detect if someones trying to pull a scam on you.
Agencies
If an agency asks you to pay for acting or modeling lessons. They're not an agency, they're a school, and they aren't worth your time. You'll spend more money on "learning to be a model", and will have little to no gigs to show for it in return. And the majority of what they teach you can be learned "on the job". Some examples of agencies that are schools are John Casablanca, John Robert Powers, and Wilhelmina (with the exception of the NYC branches).
Likewise, if an agency asks you to pay a fee to join with them, run. No agency will charge you a fee to join with them. They might charge you for making copies of your resume, faxing, etc, but those fees will be deducted from what you make, and not charged up front. It's in your own best interest to ask about any fee you're charged. If the agency is unwilling to produce a break down of what you're being charged on paper, leave them.
Any agency that wants you to get new photos, but won't let you work with any other photographer other than "their agency photographer" is trying to scam you. Anything where you have to take photos with a specific photographer for the agency is more often than not, a scam. It's especially a scam if the agency is being run from a photo studio, by a photographer, who's offering to take your pictures. No agency is just "a studio". In most of these scams you'll be charged a ridiculous amount of money for photos, that aren't worth half of what you paid for them. An agency does have the right to ask you to get new photos, but it can't specify who you work with, but they can recommend people. They'll usually give you a list of people, or work with you to find a photographer that's good for you and the agency. Likewise, no agency is going to pay for your photos.
Conventions/Searches
99% of the modeling conventions and searches available are scams. If it has Manhattan, NYC, etc. in its name, it's got scam written all over it. They bill themselves as being able to get you connected with "high profile agents, casting directors, and photographers", and might include classes on how to model, act, or dance. And what they cost to attend is usually no less than $500. More often than not, you won't get any casting calls, gigs, or anything worth nearly what you paid for. Most legitimate conventions will bill themselves simply as networking opportunities and won't make any promises of you meeting anyone. The price is also another way you can tell. Attendance normally costs anywhere from $25-$50 and you'll hear about them from other models and photographers who already plan on attending.
There's as many scam searches as there are legitimate ones. Occasionally the searches will even charge a "fee" to be entered. The best way to tell if it's a scam or not is to find out what the search is for. If it's for a no-name agency, then it's a scam. Only real top agencies will do a search and it'll often be sponsored by a big name magazine or beauty product company, like a lot of Ford's model searches. Often scam searches are done to find girls who are willing to attend the scam conventions or the modeling schools.
Photographers
It's very easy for anyone to call themselves a "photographer". All you have to do is buy some equipment, set up a studio, get a few business cards, and put up a portfolio or two on the Internet. Often labeled in the industry as "GWCs" (Guys with Cameras). They're the kooks that come out of the closet to prey on models. Especially amateur models who don't know any better. Some of their common scams involve paying for new models to come to their studio, often several states away, just to get them alone with them.
There's also GWCs who purely want to just steal your money, so they hire you for a paid gig, shoot it, and then send you a check over the agreed amount. You'll just cash it and send the remainder back to them. Then it will bounce leaving you to pay the bank for the whole thing.
Some GWCs are just out to make porn. The problem is that they aren't interested in getting real adult models or actresses, they'll take anyone. So they'll have you sign up for a shoot, etc and when you show up (at their studio several states away) they'll try to convince you to do something that you didn't agree to in the first place.
Others will simply fish for pictures or video on the Internet by posting a very high-paying gig for nude or adult models, but asking for nude or adult pictures as well. They'll often even forget to ask for the standard information like contact info, resume, and references. Sometimes they'll even as to do a "web cam interview", so that they can make certain that they've got the right person "for the job".
This is why you should always check a photographer's references. A real photographer has models he's previously worked with who will vouch that he's not a weirdo. Real photographers will also seldom pay to work with amateur models unless it's for nudes or pornography. Real photographers will also let a model bring an escort, preferably a friend, not a boyfriend, on a first time shoot. They'll also be open to any question that a model asks. If someone becomes defensive about a legitimate question, they're probably trying to pull something, and you shouldn't bother working with them.
Never be afraid to walk away from a gig. You'll be surprised how many people's instincts were right when the felt something was a bad situation. You can always get another modeling job, but you will never have another life.
Overseas
Just like those Nigerian letters you see floating around on the Internet asking you to wire them money, there's an equal amount of modeling scams. They range from agencies and model searches to individuals and photographers all looking for models. Common sense will tell you that any major country will have models, so why are they looking to the US to fill their need? If they're trying to book you for a gig here, and they're a legit agency, why aren't they talking to another agency?
Often if an individual or photographer is trying to get you to shoot or do a gig overseas, it's because they want to do what the GWC's do. (See there's perverts in every part of the world.) Another danger is that they're looking to add you into the slave trade. I'm not joking either, Google it, this stuff happens.
Almost every gig that comes from overseas is probably a scam. Agencies abroad will talk to other agencies in the US if they want a certain model. Likewise, photographers will deal with seasoned experience models if they're actually looking to fly someone over. Often that person will have an extensive reputation, thus explaining the reason why the photographer even knew of them.
Craigslist
Most of the scams I've already review you'll find on Craigslist because anyone can post a listing on Craigslist. This doesn't mean all the jobs are scams, but this does mean you should take everything listed with a grain of salt. Real jobs will be detailed and ask for things like a head-shot and resume with contact information. Keep in mind that while agencies in smaller markets might post looking for models, that they'll do so with an email address that's attached to a modeling site, not a yahoo account.
If someone tells you that you can model print for their agency, without ever seeing your face, then they're a scam. The most common name that comes up in this type of scam is Impact World Wide, they used to run by a different name, but their the same scam.
You might also be "scouted" on Myspace or Craigslist, again, this is just like the model searches and someone just wants to part you from your money.
Another type of scam that occurs is where people posting legitimate listings will either charge you a commission claiming to be an agency (when they aren't) or they'll offer you less than industry standard for the job (or "low balling"). It's in your own best interest not to take these jobs as the people handling them aren't legitimate even if the job is.
As many scams as I've listed, there's a lot more out there. You're best way to combat scams is to use common sense every time. Think about the situation objectively and you'll ensure that you have a long and lucrative modeling career.
