Aspiring model duped by “platforms” promising easy route to fashion world

sourcrates

This kind of scam was covered by Watchdog the other week.

Basically anyone charging you to create a portfolio is a potential scammer.

A portfolio is created by the work that you get hired to do, the more jobs you get, the larger your portfolio becomes, it is not something usually created in an afternoon, but over a number of months and years, and normally they pay you, not the other way around.

I’m surprised you did not realise this.

Also a lot of the reviews on social media for these studios are fake, made up, to entice people into the scam, a quick google brings up dozens of complaints exactly the same as yours, taken into a side room, offered a “once in a lifetime price”, only valid for today etc, it’s a common scam unfortunately.

Socajam

JLORNA wrote: »

Candyapple wrote: »

If you are trying to get into fashion / modelling it is a very tough game and a lot of the times you would be scouted rather than applying for jobs. A reputable agency will point you in the right direction for getting head shots done. You would be far better concentrating on your education and getting some formal qualifications behind you rather than focusing all your eggs in one basket.


I know it’s tough I’ve been doing this since I was young but been scammed in this occasion, I know what I need to do to get into the fashion world but they promised me this and it’s not what I thought at all. I work full time I have good money and I have had education as well as having good qualifications behind me thank you. When I say I’m young I am 23, I just need some advise on what to do next really. Wether I can get out of this with help, if they’re so fidgety can I take this to court? This is really the information I’m looking for, not so much to change what I want to do, this is what I want to do

If you have all of the above, how the hell did they scam you.
Your naivety shows in your replies.
Did you do any research on this company or just show up and thought that you will be the next top model.
I would out it down to experience and move on. You have been conned, next time do your research and even then it is seems too good to be true, walk away.

Jono111

I would remove the company name if I were you. At the moment you have no proof they have scammed you and if they see this post they may sue you.

T-G-C

sourcrates wrote: »

This kind of scam was covered by Watchdog the other week.

Basically anyone charging you to create a portfolio is a potential scammer.

A portfolio is created by the work that you get hired to do, the more jobs you get, the larger your portfolio becomes, it is not something usually created in an afternoon, but over a number of months and years, and normally they pay you, not the other way around.

I’m surprised you did not realise this.

I think the OP's wording is a bit confusing. I am unsure as to whether this was a portfolio as in a library of photographs, to which the OP can use with agencies etc. or one as in a collection of past work. It is quite a loose word and can be interpreted in different ways.

seashore22

Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you haven't been "spotted" by the age of 23 then I very much doubt that you will make it now. The vast majority start in their teens and have been working in the industry for years by the time they are your age.

You say that you've been doing this for a while - as an actual paid model or just trying to become a model?

My daughter was talent spotted in the street once while she was on her lunch break, starving and short of time. She said she wasn't interested. :rotfl:

sourcrates

T-G-C wrote: »

I think the OP's wording is a bit confusing. I am unsure as to whether this was a portfolio as in a library of photographs, to which the OP can use with agencies etc. or one as in a collection of past work. It is quite a loose word and can be interpreted in different ways.

Well I am certainly no expert when it comes to fashion photography, I just happened to see the watchdog report the other week, so my response is based on that, it’s a common scam, also repeated in the double glazing industry, massive discount if you sign up today, wait till tomorrow, the deal may have ended, utter rubbish.

The fact they have told you you cannot cancel again sets alarm bells ringing, your local trading standards should be advised of this.

Although how your going to get your money back I don’t know, personally I’d walk in there and demand it back, but that’s me.

JLORNA

Candyapple wrote: »

They must have given you a copy of your contract you signed - can you upload it here?

I could but honestly all it says isn’t what it isn’t I’m paying for and that fact it cannot be cancelled and it must be paid in full within 12 months

cattie

seashore22 wrote: »

Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you haven't been "spotted" by the age of 23 then I very much doubt that you will make it now. The vast majority start in their teens and have been working in the industry for years by the time they are your age.

You say that you've been doing this for a while - as an actual paid model or just trying to become a model?

My daughter was talent spotted in the street once while she was on her lunch break, starving and short of time. She said she wasn't interested. :rotfl:

Have to agree with seashore as my son was also talent spotted whilst in the centre of London. It tickled him pink, but being a model wasn't something he aspired to.

Brock_and_Roll

Its clearly a lucrative operation - a casual search of the internet reveals dozens of people who feel scammed.

It would appear that at least some of these people have been successful in getting their money back via their credit card providers.

If you have not paid yet (or not much) and have a Direct Debit in place for future payments I WOULD CANCEL THIS NOW. Not something I would normally recommend but there seems to be enough evidence out there that these companies are unlikely sue you and if they did, unlikely to be successful.

Candyapple

T-G-C wrote: »

I think the OP's wording is a bit confusing. I am unsure as to whether this was a portfolio as in a library of photographs, to which the OP can use with agencies etc. or one as in a collection of past work. It is quite a loose word and can be interpreted in different ways.

This scam has been doing the rounds since at least the late 90s as that’s when I remember being targeted by a company in central London. They usually have a team of on-street sales people who will target any young woman and bombard them with compliments and the offer of a “free” modelling/photo shoot with professional make-up done etc. and no obligation to buy anything but then once you go there and take photos they take you into a side room and there begins the hard sell of your photos in terms of packages. They’ll usually start with an overinflated price of £4-5k and then make out they are doing you a massive favour by discounting it by half or something silly and that the deal is only for today etc. I imagine it’s pretty similar to being sold holiday timeshares, the hard sell is insane and for a lot of naïve people who don’t know any better end up signing up and/or paying cash deposit just like the OP has.

I don’t think OP has any chance of getting her cash deposit back and the only way to get out of anything is to post up the T&Cs of what she signed to see if any of us lot can spot anything. Failing that, it’s go to your local newspaper like I posted above and hope that they publish your sob story.