Scammer Tips Part 2

By Rachael Lovette

Could you really be a model or actor? Or maybe it’s your kids that have the right look? If a talent scout, photographer, or other strangers says you’ve got a future in the business -- be flattered, then be skeptical. You never know when or if you could be the target of a scam.

Modeling

Red Flags

• You have to use a specific photographer

• You have to pay a fee to them to serve as your agent before they’ll do any work on your behalf

• Only accept payment in cash or money order

• Talk about big salaries and opportunities

• Unsolicited contact via direct message asking for photos, videos, or personal information on you to send you more details about a casting

• Come from Model Mayhem (it has been reported that models have gone missing and have been sexually assaulted at photoshoots or events site up through this site)

• Ask you to come alone

• Ask you to meet in an unfamiliar area

• The modeling school has a special referral relationship with a specific model agency

• Offer to “overpay” you and you reimburse the rest of the team

What to Do

• Check out the business or individual online with the word “scam,” “rip-off,” or “complaint” to get real personal insight

• Get references to confirm the credibility of the agent, photographer, or team

• Get everything in writing including spoken promises, assurances and expectations and confirm that all parties have a copy and thoroughly read it before signing

• Ask questions such as: the overall vision of the photoshoot or event, how long they’ve been doing it for, if there will be a safe place to change and store your personal belongings

• Whether they are dropping you off or hanging out behind the scenes it's good to bring a buddy for an added layer of protection in case something goes wrong

• Ask to meet up ahead of time in a public place with lots of people to discuss the finer details, review the contract, etc.

• Ask your local Better Business Bureau, consumer protection agency and state Attorney General if there are any unresolved consumer complaints on file about the company.

Photography

Red Flags

• Company using a personal Gmail account

• Gives out way too much information or too little information on the project

• Ask for personal information such as full name, address, etc.

• Not having an actual date in mind or changing the date based on your schedule

• Insisting on paying by credit card

• Not using your first name or studio name

• Asking to pay you through an uncommon portal because their PayPal or Venmo accounts have been “froze”

• Having some sort of strange situation that prevents them from meeting locally or talking on the phone

• Ask you to do a photoshoot that isn’t really your specialty

What to Do

• Ask for details about the job they’re offering

• Never give out ANY personal information beyond your first name

• Never agree to pay another vendor with money from your account

• Verify that person is really offering you a job by looking up the company online, finding the contact information for the person and calling them directly to see if it matches

• Research and investigate the company online using: https://whois.icann.org/en. This site will provide you with details on when the domain was registered, created and last updated

• Make them sign your own model release form

Rachael Lovette is the Digital Director at Flower Bomb Media with a passion for everything K-Pop, fashion, model advocacy, and pop culture. Make sure you follow her on Instagram as she journeys through the fashion industry from behind the lens.