How to detect and avoid a model scamWhen it comes to detecting and avoiding model scams - knowledge is your best protection so learn everything you can about how the industry actually works - most of which can be found right here on models advocate.
Depend on reliable sources of information.
Bulletin boards, chat rooms, web sites, etc., are not always reliable sources of information as quite often the writer has a hidden agenda - and even the bigger agencies will use the bulletin boards (or any other ways and means at their disposal) to attempt to discredit others and make make themselves look good.
These agencies (yes, even some of the biggest ones) will never tell you that they are splitting fees with the photographers they refer models to which is specifically illegal in New York, California and Florida covered by fraud statutes in all other states.
But it still goes on, and it goes on much more frequently than any of them will ever admit.
When considering what someone is offering or suggesting, ask yourself the following questions:
1. Is what they are doing legal?
2. Does what they are suggesting make sense?
3. What exactly what I am paying for?
4. Will it provide a benefit?
Asking for references. Asking for references is one good way to check something out.
The Better Business Bureau. Mabe not so good, as professional scammers know they have will have at least six months to a year before complaints start coming in to consumer protection organizations such as the Better Business Bureau so, by the time complaints start piling up, they have already made plans to change the name of their business and/or move to a different city or a different state and start over again.
What sort of references are meaningful then? Look at things like solid references, reputation, length of time in business, tear sheets, newspaper and magazine articles and other items you can readily see.
