I've been a model for the past 4 yrs and I've seen and heard of every scam imaginable. Whether you're an amateur or veteran model it's always possible for someone to scam you. This guide will detail not only current scams that are being run, but also how to detect if someone's trying to pull a scam on you.

"Agencies"

If an agency asks you to pay for acting or modeling lessons. They're not an agency, they're a school, and they aren't worth your time. You'll spend more money on "learning to be a model", and will have little to no gigs to show for it in return. And the majority of what they teach you can be learned "on the job". Some examples of agencies that are schools are John Casablanca, John Robert Powers, and Wilhelmina (with the exception of the NYC branches).

Likewise, if an agency asks you to pay a fee to join with them, run. No agency will charge you a fee to join with them. They might charge you for making copies of your resume, faxing, etc, but those fees will be deducted from what you make, and not charged up front. It's in your own best interest to ask about any fee you're charged. If the agency is unwilling to produce a break down of what you're being charged on paper, leave them.

Any agency that wants you to get new photos, but won't let you work with any other photographer other than "their agency photographer" is trying to scam you. Anything where you have to take photos with a specific photographer for the agency is more often than not, a scam. It's especially a scam if the agency is being run from a photo studio, by a photographer, who's offering to take your pictures. No agency is just "a studio". In most of these scams you'll be charged a ridiculous amount of money for photos, that aren't worth half of what you paid for them. An agency does have the right to ask you to get new photos, but it can't specify who you work worth, but they can recommend people. They'll usually give you a list of people, or work with you to find a photographer that's good for you and the agency. Likewise, no agency is going to pay for you photos. (Sorry.)

Conventions/Searches

99% of the modeling conventions and searches available are scams. If it has Manhattan, NYC, etc. in it's name, it's got scam written all over it. They bill themselves as being able to get you connected with "high profile agents, casting directors, and photographers", and might include classes on how to model, act, or dance. (Sounds like the school scam,

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