How to Spot a Modeling / Acting Scam
There are too many marketing companies that prey on a persons quest for fame. These companies and their affiliates post daily casting notices, auditions and ads on Craigslist, and other free classified sites that refer to fake auditions and non existent castings for jobs that sound real.
Here is why they do this. The companies / individuals involved are paid to get “leads”. Leads are people of a certain demographic such as child, teen, man, etc. that have a interest, such as acting, that they can later exploit by way of email spam, telemarketing, etc. After you answer a “fake” casting (80% of craigslist was fake when I tested it), you will begin getting offers through email and sales pitches from telemarketers, all aimed at getting you to sign up for some service.
When they are done with you, your info gets sold to the next company and the routine starts again. Some internet marketers go as far as responding to your inquiry with a message that “you are perfect” or “will send the audition details”, but first… please go here and do this.
Those affiliates get paid to funnel people to other sites, usually sites that deal with background checks or security of some kind. Age and citizenship verification are a common ploy. I answered one Extra casting (sounded very real) that sent me to a site that does ssl certificates. Most people would not even understand that ssl certification is for online shopping carts and has zero to to do acting or auditions. The marketer just used that because it went along the lines of “verify your identity” for the fake casting call and he gets paid 30 bucks for every FREE lead he sends to the company. He is scamming them too! I was looking for an audition, NOT a shopping cart! I am useless as a lead to them, but he still gets paid ’till caught. Then he moves on to the next company looking for leads.
It’s a web of lies created by internet marketers hurting for cash.
Here’s how to spot the real castings from the fakes.
Remember, real casting calls will always want a headshot, resume, etc. If all they ask for is photo and contact info than beware.
Beware of anyone looking for “new faces”. Everyone has a new face! You can walk out your door and find dozens in a minute! The word “new faces” is a red flag for scam.
Beware of general needs such as “any ethnicity, ages 15 to 75″ thats almost EVERYONE! Real castings have specific needs.
Beware of “no experience necessary” acting, dance and modeling takes experience and training. Really, who is hiring actors who can’t act or models that can’t walk? The only exception may be neighborhood fashion shows and student films.
Beware of ads with large pay. Ads that read like “models and actors needed for ‘put in any large brand here’ pay is $1200 daily and job is 4 to 5 days….” Yeah right, budgets that large get pros from agents, Not Mary and Jane off the street. Keep in mind that the SAG daily rate is around $750 and that is to experienced pro actors in a union that pay dues.
Speaking of union rates… Beware of ads that quote union rates such as $752 a day without mention of union. They are just pulling union jobs knowing you have ZERO way of getting the gig or worse, making them up and quoting union rates.
Beware of anything that asks for lingerie, topless, etc. and request pics from you to be considered. Use your imagination on what someone will do with those. Real casting directors will want head shots and measurements and ask you to try on their clothing at the audition, once one is scheduled.
Beware of Extras casting calls. Generally, large productions go through a casting company. Anyone posting things like “Extras needed to make scene look ‘real’, ’Insert big movie name here’ pays $300 daily” is a scam. Large productions in small cities will post notices, but in large cities, they already have all the extras needed. Small productions will post calls but an extra does not make close to $300. Think more along the line of min wage or less. $50 to $100 may be more realistic. Do not sign up for any background or age verification site. Those are 100% scam, even though it seems free for you to do it, the scammer is selling your info to an unsuspecting company and you will never hear back about the audition.
Beware of anything that says call some number, casting agents are waiting. Casting directors look at headshots and resumes than call back who they like. They do not sit by a phone waiting for everyone and their mom to call without even knowing if they fit. Basically, they call you if they like you.
And lastly, beware of anyone selling anything. Remember, you applied for a JOB! Means, they pay YOU!
How to protect yourself:
Get an email, an anonymous one for casting calls that you respond to. That way if it gets spammed, you can change it easily.
NEVER, follow a link to another site asking you for any info that you got in a response.
Remember, if it sounds like a dream, it most likely is just some low life trying to pay his bills off yours. Real jobs take commitment, training and diligence. You begin at the bottom with low paying jobs and castings in small productions, then work your way up as it is in any industry. Once you get some training, a resume and experience, then you get an agent to go after the larger jobs.
With all the above said, there are great opportunities available. You just need to learn how to traverse the giant sea of internet spam to find them. With practice, you will learn to spot the real from the fake. Even I still get fooled by some. Luckily, the readers normally catch those and leave me a comment to remove the spam.
Also, comments are taken and will be posted on this page. Add your own tips to avoid modeling and acting scams. I will moderate and post.
Check out the following related pages and articles
Comments
Comment from anonymous
Time 06/02/2010 at 6:07 PM
These people asked to to call castings usa com
When I responded to this post:
http://houston.craigslist.org/tfr/1760421270.html
They sounds a lot like what your post describes. Thanks for the assistance. I will keep my “80cents per day” in my wallet now.
Comment from tenesha
Time 01/25/2011 at 2:55 PM
what are your opinions about one-source talent? They contacted me and asked me to trael to nyc…once there i ws informed that i was selected for the company and that when i came back, i would need to bring 500…and not only that but i would also be required to pay 40 a month for a digital fee…what is up with that?
Comment from free audition listings
Time 01/26/2011 at 9:06 AM
Don’t do it. You should never have to pay to get a job and actually new laws have made such practices not legal, such as the “paying for a chance at an audition” and other such vague, now illegal, practices. If you want a FREE profile, create a Facebook, MySpace, etc. Telemarketers are notorious for playing on dreams (and words) in this industry. If you listen to the sales pitch carefully, you will see they are selling you on very expensive web space, pictures and conventions. None of which include getting you work because they ARE NOT agents or casting directors and have zero to do with casting anything.
Comment from anonymous
Time 02/26/2011 at 12:53 PM
this man named frank emailed me talking bout a tommy hilfiger modeling contract that i wouldnt have to pay anything and we would be able to work with you in your area close by so no traveling would be necc.he told me to chose my rate for 2 hours nd my information is needed to get the cashupfront i wont pay for the photographer hairstylest nothing everything finacially would be takin care of by the company so what do i do is dis a scam?
Comment from free audition listings
Time 02/26/2011 at 9:34 PM
If you recently sent in a portfolio for a gig then maybe, but if someone emails you out of the blue then it is some sort of scam for sure. They ALWAYS tell you it’s free at first, then they get you in there or on the phone and talk you into stuff. Watch out for that. Fashion houses do not email people offering work. They use agents.
Comment from Tricia
Time 03/14/2011 at 4:44 AM
Is PRO SCOUT a scam?
Comment from free audition listings
Time 03/15/2011 at 1:02 AM
easy enough to find out http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=pro+scout+scam
Comment from Christina
Time 04/05/2011 at 1:59 AM
Hi. So yeah I signed up for webiste so they can help me get auditions so a few days later they called me talking about all the thing that they can do fro me and etc. And after all the sweet talking the man on the phone said yeah you will just have to pay like 90 dollar for three free months or something like that. and then he’s like how would you like to pay using a check or credit card. and it seemed like he was rushing me into like I couldn’t get a chance to think. But something told me no this is a scam. And when I said no I have to think about it, he’s like don’t miss out on this opportunity, everyone’s gotta give up something and etc. he was just very anxious to make me pay. Scam isnt it?
Comment from Ellen
Time 04/25/2011 at 7:49 PM
Have you heard anything about HNE? A $300 profile set up fee? I did fill out an application a few months ago for the amazing race. Could that application information be sold?
Comment from free audition listings
Time 04/27/2011 at 12:18 AM
It is free to apply for Amazing Race . It is free to apply for all reality shows. If you want to apply for any show, you gotta do it directly, i.e. use the shows contact info. That is the only way to know if the application was sent.
Comment from Amber
Time 05/20/2011 at 9:00 PM
I found an ad on craigslist about an upcoming reality show that I responded to, I sent him a few pictures of my face and stated why I wanted to be in the reality show because that’s what it asked for, I then got a reply saying
“I feel that you would be perfect
for the new tv series! After
viewing over 500 photos,
I am leaning towards choosing you.
I need you to convince me a little more.
Write me again and tell me from
your heart, why I should choose you!!” I then sent back a response and informed him of some drama that may be useful for a reality tv show and he responded “Amber:
The new television series details are confidential. If I decide to choose you, your smmer adventure & relationship, will be a welcomed change in reality tv.
I will be in Wilmington soon, we can grab dinner together and discuss your desire to appear on the new reality series.” obviously I don’t want to meet with someone if it’s a scam and end up being kidnapped or killed, so what is your opinion on this.
Comment from free audition listings
Time 05/20/2011 at 9:46 PM
Casting directors do not normally take someone they never met to dinner, they schedule a casting call in an office.
If you go, do not go alone! Take a boyfriend…or 2.
Comment from Diana
Time 07/20/2011 at 1:31 AM
I recently went on http://www.seek.com.au looking for work. I came across an add looking for people for modelling and TV by a agency called Spy Model Agency, which said to go on their website and fill out an application form that only asked for details like name, age, hair/eye colour, height and address and phone number. They didn’t ask for a photo. I did that and a few days later received an email telling me that my application is being processed and they will let me know. I received another email after that saying that my application has been approved and that they would like me to meet with 2 talent manager in an inner city cafe so that hey can decide whether to sign me. They also said if they do decide i will have to pay $95 deposit to book photographer and later on for the portfolio or if i have one i might have to doit again if it doesn’t fit their image. I checked their website and it looks kind of legit. I am just a little worried so if u could help me i would greatly appreciate it. 
Comment from free audition listings
Time 07/20/2011 at 6:05 PM
A model agent / agency does NOT advertise. Legit agencies have models knocking on their doors daily, they do not run ads.
Their application does not ask for a photo or weight… 2 very important things. If you read their terms and conditions they tell you they are a photo company and sell portfolios.
Agents make money AFTER they get you work, not before.
Comment from Cynthia
Time 07/23/2011 at 12:59 AM
Thanks so much for this article beacuse i was going to a audtion for acting and it turned out he was a scam!
Comment from Aaron
Time 07/23/2011 at 10:44 PM
I got a CALL from OneSourceTalent, I scheduled an appointment. After waiting for just a few minutes, a group of us were called. I went into an office, they took a picture and said that was it. Scam ?
Comment from cristian
Time 07/24/2011 at 10:57 PM
Is it possible to find a legit movie or t.v show audition online and what web site would you recommand, and is explore talent fake.
Comment from free audition listings
Time 07/25/2011 at 3:08 AM
yeah, there’s plenty open castings for movie extras – look at home page of this site. As for Explore, I know they list auditions but not much more.
Comment from xia
Time 07/26/2011 at 6:37 PM
I wanted to know if exploretalent is real or fake??????
Comment from free audition listings
Time 07/26/2011 at 10:48 PM
Not sure what you mean by fake. Exploretalent is a website that lists notices but charges a fee to see the contact info. They are not an agency.
Comment from Myron
Time 07/27/2011 at 8:15 PM
Can you guys get mii a disney audition or a website to get one or even a talent agent source im in michigan
Comment from free audition listings
Time 07/27/2011 at 8:31 PM
Disney does hold open calls a few times a year. They are announced a few weeks prior. Other than those, the only way to get an audition with a Disney Channel show is through an agent. There is a list of acting agents on the site as well as the union sites.
Comment from Anon Usly
Time 08/18/2011 at 4:16 AM
I went to this casting call for talent and they said not professionals and stuff like that and then they said it costs. So like 6 months later there was another one but a different company name? But the funny part was i talk to the same guy!! I couldn’t believe it and that cost to! I was wondering if you have ever heard of the company name TAI? I tried looking it up after about 6 more months and I can’t find it!
Comment from free audition listings
Time 08/18/2011 at 8:30 AM
Scams change names often, as soon as any bad press comes along, they switch company names. NEVER pay to audition. An audition is just a job interview for actors, if you were a cook, you would never pay to interview at some restaurant! Also, it is not legal and any company asking for money at a chance at a job is breaking the law. They know that, that is why most of them have a paragraph in their TOS that states “They are not an agent, an employer or casting director and have zero to do with getting anyone a job”. Sales people can tell you anything on the phone to get their commission, once the money is paid, you never hear from them again and they are protected because their scripts are written in a way that skirts it all. i.e They say so and so casting director is very interested in someone “just like you”. You hear “you” but that is not what they said, it’s what you wanted to hear.
Comment from Kayla
Time 08/23/2011 at 11:27 PM
There is a modeling company in my city called agency 89, but I am skeptical as to whether or not they are recruiting for talent or money….I’m not sure what to look for.
Comment from free audition listings
Time 08/24/2011 at 3:12 AM
well, their website says:
“Agency 89 is a full-service preparation, training and placement agency. ”
that looks like they offer somekind of training service, i.e modeling school. Are you are looking for modeling classes? and yes, I would imagine you must pay for those.
Comment from Haley
Time 10/21/2011 at 8:22 PM
Okay, this ‘Hickory Pictures’ is coming to my school for a casting call, they have specific in what they want, it asks for a non’returnable photo, and left a number to call for questions. But doesn’t ask for info, thought it does say in this contract thing, that i will have to evetualy of course give it to them. Do they all have these little contracts on the back?? Or what idk, jw if it was real and worth goin to.
Comment from Amro
Time 11/07/2011 at 6:22 AM
Hi my name is Amro i want to act am not going to say am the best actor in the world but i can show you that am good and am Egyptian i live in AZ TEMPE am 17 and am brown hire 5.5 ft brown eyes and i have an nice accents and i talked to Steven Spielberg,Adam Sandler,Shia Labeouf managers and a lot more and they all side to me your good to goo i just need to start and it would be an honor to work with you.
Comment from wendy
Time 12/02/2011 at 2:13 PM
Hi, my daughter applied to fear factor on the official website and got a call back and an email. He said that hes looking at her to be on an episode. She doesnt live in LA so she would eventually skype with a producer. She needs to send pics in to set up a profile. If she gets picked and she goes on the show….she gets paid even if she doesnt win the big money. She needs to send in $300 to have a profile set up so she would have it if she wants to apply to other reality shows. She would get the $300 back when she goes on the show. Shes excited but i wanted to see if this is a scam.
Comment from free audition listings
Time 12/02/2011 at 11:21 PM
The official site would be part of the NBC network – official site http://www.nbc.com/fear-factor/
There is no charge to audition and they should not ask anyone to pay to create a profile. You did not apply to the official fear factor, seems like you applied to something that may have tricked you into thinking it was.
You will NEVER get the 300 back and the REAL Fear Factor casting directors will most likely never get her info to even cast her on the show because you have to submit all your info on their site. Casting Directors in California are NOT allowed to charge talent for auditions period.
here is the fear factor casting link http://www.fearfactorcasting.com/apply
Comment from neha devi singh
Time 12/23/2011 at 8:26 AM
hi,
ive been reading this forum and would seriously appreciate a quick response!
I am an actor based out of India. I think i may have been roped into some scam. A few days ago, some man named steve hodgson messaged me on whatsapp saying hes seen my profiles online and would i be interested in international projects? the profiles he mentioned do exist online and any determined individual can track down a number so i gave him the benefit of the doubt. after a brief chat and exchange of profile he put me onto a well known hollywood director, again on whatsapp. Out of sheer curiosity, i decided to communicate with this director, now, after various legitimate conversations, he has scheduled a screen test on skype.
the funny thing is, i dnt know if any well established director would communicate directly with an unknown artist (building rapport or not)
also, everytime i would try and dig deep they would stonewall or beat around the bush but when i try to politely apologise for wasting their time and walk away they came back with legitimate responses and made noises about how i simply fit the role and thats why they are taking all this trouble.
points to ponder:
- no trace of this steve hodgson online in any capacity as a casting agent
- the film in question is in the news but barely so
-why would a scam artist go to such lengths and then offer to come on skype?
- when i tried to ask for proof of identity and creds, the director threw a fit and claimed to be insulted. so i said ok sorry and bye bye
-he came back two hrs later saying something about not letting ego get in the way of work and set up the test again
- when i offered to fly in for a live audition , he said come at your own expense
- is it true that production teams would look at screen test scores based on various stages and then validate and call back and issue tickets for those needed to be flown in for live auditions?
- are most agents and directors borderline rude and almost using bullying tactics like going off in a huff iif you dnt respond in 5 mins
-i believe if its really a big budget film nd they r so so keen on me then they should wait or show some creds.
even as i write this i am beginning to feel silly. I dont know and am quite confused. please help
Comment from free audition listings
Time 12/24/2011 at 3:48 AM
None of what you said is common practice nor will casting directors use bully / hard sale tactics. Sounds like a sales pitch for either some kind of service or worse, a check cashing scam. Both are very common and scammers use online profiles to find victims. Sometimes these scams are so long lasting that they wait a long time before asking for money or asking someone to cash a bad check.
Comment from neha devi singh
Time 01/11/2012 at 12:42 AM
Hi!
Thanks so much for your response.
It means a lot to me. Also, for those who have been following. I thought i’d give fate a chance or for the sake of calling their bluff, and therefore got prepared for the audition and waited on skype, and waited some more. No one turned up. Now I could argue that something came up or my phone had decided to act at up at the same time so there was no final confirmation. But i had left messages on skype and text messages on the numbers so they i was there.
Im just relieved nothing wierd happened. Perhaps it was an opportunity missed though im more inclined to believe a disaster averted.
I just wanted anyone reading this and hopefull to please refer to the cardinal rule above all else…when your gut tells you somethings off…first run a mile in the opposite direction! then take 5 mins to rethink and re evaluate everything; and dont be afraid to ask for advice from anyone you think may help.
Its what i did. Guess it was a game of chicken and they blinked first.
Todays interconnected world offers many opportunities and equal measures of perils. please be careful
I am very thankful i found this site. thank you so much for your input and help.
still hopefull but ever cautious.
Comment from Chels
Time 01/24/2012 at 2:15 AM
PLEASE HELP! How do you get experience for modeling or acting? I have done runway and photo shoots before and love it! I’m just wondering how do I find jobs with little to even no pay of course lot’s of money would be great! Although experience is well worth it. As you said you need experience to get an agency for the bigger jobs. Right? I say this because I am willing to help a new magazine or someone starting out a clothing line because I know they don’t have the funds yet to pay for a know model. Also I love helping others with there dreams to! I’m getting to do what I love to do! I love the camera its the time I get to play a different person! If there’s anyone that could PLEASE take some time to help me with any advice or answers, It would truly mean the world to me! I know there are models/ actresses that have the same true passion for this field as I do! Thanks! “May all your dreams come true!”
Comment from Chels
Time 01/24/2012 at 3:07 AM
neha devi singh
Thank you for the inspiring words! I am very grateful to have found this site to!!! The fact that this site is taking the time to help others without a $fee$ is so rare these days!! This world is all about money!! People only care about themselves and fame. It’s really sad! It’s feels really good to be reminded that there are still good people out there!! Thank you again!!
Comment from amy
Time 01/29/2012 at 7:59 PM
hi there. i recently heard an add on the radio for a company called seattle talent owned by a man named hank ritter (we met him yesterday). they were looking for models, singers and actors, ages 2-24, first 100 callers only… that sort of thing. we made an appointment for my 10 year old son and attended the first audition/presentation. they claim to have discovered karan brar (diary of a whimpy kid), vlad ivanov(international model), josh duhmal(transformers), alexis sanches(grown ups) and many more. they came to carson city nv claiming that they generally do these things in reno, but they wanted to get some of the smaller surrounding areas. my son got a call back (from the owner himself) and they would like us to come back tonight. there didnt seem to be a lot of pressure. he said if things didnt work out we could try again in 6 months or a year. i believe what they are doing is selling classes. hank suggested a 5 week class for my son at the cost of $2900. i dont know if we’ll be asked to sign a contract or not. i have googled both the name of the company and the name of the owner. there doesnt seem to be anything bad about them on the internet, but there isnt much about them at all outside of there facebook page, blog spot and website. it appears that maybe the owner is/was affilliated with jrp. any information you have would be most helpful. thank you for your time.
Comment from free audition listings
Time 01/29/2012 at 10:27 PM
Its a bait and switch sales tactic. Yes, they are selling classes but they did not tell you that originally to get you in the door. The ad never said ‘acting classes being sold now’. The ads usually say ‘Looking for new talent for Disney, Nickelodeon and other brands’. These companies find people at malls, through ads, etc. they always claim to be talent scouts looking for people to cast for Disney etc. Once in their offices they try to sell you on classes, photo shoots, portfolios etc. These types of rackets go city to city renting conference rooms and temporary offices.
They can not find anyone work because they are NOT agents, they are sales people selling very expensive acting classes. The classes are normally taught by unqualified people and most people who have been taken by these claim that they wasted their money. If you want your son in a class, contact a real acting school. These classes are also worthless on a resume.
You can’t find anything out online, good or bad because they change locations and names often to fly under the radar.
Comment from Emily
Time 04/28/2010 at 4:12 PM
I can’t beleive it! im only ten and ive just been scammed -crys-