I put together a quick guide on modeling and acting scams. I’ve been getting lots of requests for photos, sponsorship advice etc. regarding competitions, magazines and modeling agencies.

I once was a model and my mother fell for the same scams that are still going strong today, they are however a bit more clever.

I pulled this information from modelingscams.org, feel free to check them out.

Upfront Fees are illegal:

Virtually all successful models and actors work through managers, and generally use a talent agency that does not charge a fee payable in advance for screen tests, photographs, acting or modeling lessons or other services. If you are signed as a client by a licensed talent agency, you will pay such agency nothing until you work and then a percentage of your earnings as a performer - - BUT NOTHING IN ADVANCE. Current California Labor law mandates that ONLY a licensed Talent Agent can book work for clients and charge a fee for that service. So, be cautious of companies that place "Help Wanted" ads for models or actors, which usually state "No Experience Necessary", and then ask for advance fees of any kind.

Agency Registration Fees: None, but check your state. Maryland is not authorized to collect registration fees for modeling/talent/employment agencies

Advertising: Paying for advertising is ILLEGAL. Advertising and promotion is the job and financial responsibility of the agents and the agencies. If they truly have experience, skill, and contacts, and they sincerely believe a new model has real potential, they have to take the financial risks. The onus is on them to advertise and promote

Advance-fee talent service: means a person who charges, attempts to charge, or receives an advance fee from an artist for one or more of the following:

• oProcuring, offering, promising, or attempting to procure employment or engagements for the artist.

• oManaging or directing the development or advancement of the artist's career as an artist.

• oCareer counseling, career consulting, vocational guidance, aptitude testing, evaluation, or planning, in each case relating to the preparation of the artist for employment as an artist.

An advance-fee talent service, or its agent or employee, may not do any of the following:

• oMake, or cause to be made, any false, misleading, or deceptive advertisement or representation concerning the services the artist will receive or the costs the artist will incur.

• oPublish or cause to be published any false, fraudulent, or misleading information, representation, notice, or advertisement.

• oGive an artist any false information or make any false promise or misrepresentation concerning any engagement or employment, or make any false or misleading verbal or written promise or guarantee of any job or employment to an artist.

• oMake any false promise or representation, by choice of name or otherwise, that the advance-fee talent service is a talent agency or will procure or attempt to procure employment or engagements for the artist as an artist.

The following sections forbid specific types of services which have been common modeling and talent scams, including registration fees, modeling photography scams, advertising fees, modeling seminars and modeling schools:

• oCharge or attempt to charge, directly or indirectly, an artist for registering or listing the artist for employment in the entertainment industry or as a customer of the advance-fee talent service.

• oCharge or attempt to charge, directly or indirectly, an artist for creating or providing photographs, filmstrips, videotapes, audition tapes, demonstration reels, or other reproductions of the artist, casting or talent brochures, or other promotional materials for the artist.

• oCharge or attempt to charge, directly or indirectly, an artist for creating or providing costumes for the artist.

• oCharge or attempt to charge, directly or indirectly, an artist for providing lessons, coaching, or similar training for the artist.

• oCharge or attempt to charge, directly or indirectly, an artist for providing auditions for the artist.

The last two sections address the conspiracy modeling scams such as split-fee photography scams where scam agencies in the past referred aspiring models to one photographer with whom they had a secret business relationship. It could include commissions for scouts and schools which are secretly paid to talk aspiring models into attending expensive modeling conventions.

• Refer an artist to any person who charges the artist a fee for the services described in subdivisions (e) to (i), inclusive, in which the advance-fee talent service has a direct or indirect financial interest.

• Accept any compensation for referring an artist to any person charging the artist a fee for the services described in subdivisions (e) to (i), inclusive.