Modeling Agency News
Model Scam
"The U.B. dancing major got stars in her eyes again, when a so-called talent scout stopped her at a shopping mall. Rath said, "...and she goes, I think you have a really great look. Are you interested in modeling? I have this new agency that just opened here in Buffalo, and I think you should come to the open call." Whitney attended the session at Transcontinental Talent, and was told her profile would be on the agency's website within 72 hours - all that for a registration fee of $800. But when Whitney couldn't even log onto Transcontinental's website with the username and password they gave her, Whitney asked for her money back, and was refused. We went to Transcontinental's office in Amherst and the office manager told us, they only recruit. Membership issues are handled at their headquarters in Orlando.... Whitney is going to get her money back and everything is settled." A spokesperson for Transcontinental Talent told us, Whitney was initially refused a refund because someone misinterpreted the 72-hour cooling off period for cancelling her registration. It is all straightened out now."1
1. "Model Scam," WIVB TV4 Buffalo, Nov. 22, 2002.
http://www.wivb.com/Global/story.asp?S=1034748&nav=0RaiCi17
(Transcontinental Talent)
Attorney General Unmasks Modeling Scam
"These scammers promised consumers a high-fashion, high-paying career as a model," said Cooper. "Instead, aspiring models wound up with over-priced photos and a few jobs handing out product samples."1
1. "Attorney General Unmasks Modeling Scam," WRAL, Mar. 27, 2003.
http://www.wral.com/news/2069056/detail.html
(Face National Models and Talent)
Judge Extends Temporary Restraining Order Against Charlotte-Based Face National Models
"Attorney General Roy Cooper on Thursday applauded a judge's ruling that will block Face National Models from using misleading and deceptive sales practices to scam consumers who hoped to become models."1
1. "Judge Extends Temporary Restraining Order Against Charlotte-Based Face National Models," WSOCTV, Mar. 27, 2003.
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/2068640/detail.html
(Face National Models and Talent LLC)
Face National Accused of Fraud
"Face National, a modeling agency based in North Carolina, recruited more than 50 prospective Memphis models two weeks ago at a Holiday Inn open-call. Two of the women are now saying the agency is a fraud. Summer Hamilton and Racquel Williams say that they gave Face National a non-refundable $175 deposit for photography fees. Agency representative Chad Johnston assured the new recruits that Terry Morton would photograph them for three more $175 installments. Morton, he said, had shot for Vogue and Elle magazines and works for Fashion Files, a modeling-related business in Charlotte, North Carolina."1
1. Ashley Fantz, "Face National Accused of Fraud," Memphis Flyer, Mar. 9, 2000.
http://www.memphisflyer.com/backissues/issue577/cr577.htm
(Face National Models and Talent)
Consumers Cautioned About Syracuse Modeling Offer
"An upcoming "audition" by a North Carolina modeling agency may lead young people or their parents to unnecessarily spend as much as $600 for photographs, the Consumer Protection Board ("CPB") warned today. Face National Models and Talent will be interviewing aspiring models on Nov. 23-25 at the Holiday Inn on Electronics Parkway in Syracuse. At similar "auditions," Face representatives have told young people that they must provide 72 different photographs of themselves or purchase a $600 photography package from Face as part of a modeling contract with Face. Face takes a $170 deposit toward its photo package during these three-day auditions."1
1. "Consumers Cautioned About Syracuse Modeling Offer," New York State Consumer Protection Board, Nov. 21, 2001.
http://www.consumer.state.ny.us/pressreleases/2001/nov212001.htm
(Face National Models and Talent)
Modeling Agency Wants More Than A Pretty Face
"The ad says: "Models wanted. Make a hundred dollars a day." It caught the attention of one woman who was trying to get back into the modeling business. However, she soon found out that the fast money-making deal may not be picture perfect. Representatives from Face National Modeling Agency travel around the country recruiting models. They have been to Rochester several times. Heather Mincer went to the company's interviews and at first she liked what she heard. The company has been in Rochester for three days. She said, "They talk to you like you have the look. [They say] 'You're beautiful and pretty. We can really use you.'" While the pitch was enough to convince Heather, she soon found out that there was one catch--she had to pay $650 to have her pictures taken. "They pay the photographer for you, because they know most people don't have $650 on hand. Then you would pay [the agency back in] monthly installments, but you had to give them $180 on the day you signed the contract," she said. It still sounded good to Heather, but said she saw red flags go up after asking about guaranteed work in Rochester. She then went home and researched the company."1
"I went home and went on the Internet and found a lot of information about them," she said. News Source 13 found several complaints files against the agency on the Web site of the Better Business Bureau in North Carolina. Heather returned to the agency to get out of her contract and get her money back. "business days to get your money back, so contractually they have to give it back," she said. It says in the contract that they give you that you have three. The agency refunded her money. "You have to be very cautious who you use. If they tell you that you have to sign a contract 'today, because we're going to be gone tomorrow,' that should give you a red flag," she said. The experience has not turned Heather off from the industry. She still plans to try to make it on her own with a local agency. Experts say potential models should never have to pay money up front for anything when trying to break into the modeling business. Anyone with questions or complaints about the agency should contact the Better Business Bureau."2
1. "Modeling Agency Wants More Than A Pretty Face," Your
Stories, WOKR 13-TV Rochester, NY, n.d.
2. Ibid.
(Face National Models and Talent)
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