Signs of a Talent Agency Scam

If you want to start in the industry of fashion modeling, you must watch for deceptive people. Some con artists are looking to defraud you, guaranteeing a wonderful career in exchange for up front payment. When the dust settles the only thing you'll have is an empty wallet.

Here are some issues that you have to look out for.

1. Classified ads. If you see an advertisement posted somewhere - in a newspaper, on Facebook, etc - then hesitate before attending. Successful talent agencies have plenty of walk-in talent, and they don't need to scour the mall. You may want to respond to open casting calls, but otherwise general adverts like these are a bad omen.

2. Asking for money up front. If the modeling agency charges you money up front before you can work for them, then turn right around and get the hell out of dodge. This is an obvious hint that they can't be making earnings on commissions, so they instead make profit elsewhere. If they aren't working, then don't expect for you to be.

3. Making you use their in house photog. A real modeling agency will ask you to get a set of images together with some comp cards, but they aren't going to force you to spend tons of cash on their own headshot photographer. You need to look around and choose a photographer or composite card printer that you feel comfortable with. If they really demand a specific photographer, they'll pay for it.

4. The agency wants you to pay to take their modeling classes or whatnot. It's just a way for them to dig in your pockets. It might seem more honest than a \"representation fee\" or some such thing. But at the end of the day it's just the same.

5. They promise you modeling gigs. If only it were so easy. No one can be positive that you'll get a job as a runway model, and anyone that promises that is just trying to butter you up. Chances are, they are just trying nudge you into giving them some cash.

After you've witnessed a few of these scams, they become a piece of cake to spot. The simple idea is that the company wants to \"sign\" as many models as possible, take their money in the beginning, and then keep them busy with a few casting calls. If new models keep walking in the door, they do not worry you're on the couch not working. They stole their cash. Don't let that moola be yours.