Modelling Agency Scam

Diana62

Hi,

I have been scammed by a modelling agency. I was charged £750 after a supposed free test shoot and asked to sign for the photographs they took of me. However, I did not receive a professional portfolio, and I was not signed for work. After they took my money, the agency never contacted me back. I tried to ask the bank for a chargeback but my claim was unsuccessful. Because the agency forwarded the papers I signed for the photographs, even though I have not received any services as promised in their emails (professional portfolio, guidance in the industry and paid modelling jobs). I would like to take my case to a small court, however, I am uncertain about this situation.
I hope someone can advise me.

Aylesbury_Duck

If you know the name and address of the business, send them a letter before action setting out how much you want back and saying you'll take them to court if you don't hear from them in 14 days.

Make sure you have all the facts.  Did they guarantee to get you paid modelling jobs, for example?  Did they promise to provide a physical portfolio?  Gather all the emails, paperwork, contracts and messages you have from them and go through them carefully.  You don't want to waste time and more money pursuing a case you can't win because you didn't actually understand what you were signing up to.

couriervanman

So you paid £750 for a free photo shoot

Elmer_BeFuddled

This has been going on for the last 30 or 40 years just to my knowledge usually involving kids.

Sorry, but you've been scammed and the chances of you getting anything back are less than zero.

But please prove me wrong!

[Deleted User]

 Remember this scam 30 years ago. My sister begged my mum to let her get a so called free photo shoot. She wouldn't let her knowing it was a scam way back then. 

mikb

Aylesbury_Duck said:

... because you didn't actually understand what you were signing up to.

... and not wishing to criticise the OP, but it's quite likely the offer and any contract paperwork signed was phrased to make sure you didn't entirely understand what you were signing up to.

You need to re-read it with a more cynical, distrusting eye, and read exactly what it says, not what it appeared to say.

A lot of these scams persist because they can get away with it -- e.g. they didn't promise anything that wasn't delivered, meanwhile you expected a lot more and feel ripped off.

Diana62

Aylesbury_Duck said:

If you know the name and address of the business, send them a letter before action setting out how much you want back and saying you'll take them to court if you don't hear from them in 14 days.

Thank you for your message.

 I have attached here a screenshot of the email the agency sent. 
In this email, they did mention that I will be signed to an agency, if successful and get a professional portfolio. So it was not everything promised verbally but I actually have some kind of proof.
However, I do not know if the evidence I have will be enough to win the case. 

As you have advised me, I will send the company a letter. Even if I have small chances to win I won't give up, as they keep getting away with these scams and take advantage of young and vulnerable people.

elsien

They do not promise anything. 

They say that they will “help you to seek opportunities.” That is absolutely not a guarantee of finding you paid work.
And “ideally”...”you could be signed to an agency.” Not that you will be.

 Very carefully worded to give no guarantees at all. 

You may have a case for not getting the photos you paid for, and so you could follow up the chargeback with the bank for at least a partial refund. 

Similar case here.
https://conversation.which.co.uk/money/modelling-photos-scam-legal-case/

pinkshoes

Could you put the events into a chronological order and when the £750 was paid and exactly what the £750 was for?

So you were offered a FREE photoshoot? No mention of any costs at this point?

So you then turn up and DO the free photo shoot? Then they asked for some money for something else?

As far as I can see from your second post and their email, this company are just a supposed "scout". They don't actually promise anything in their email, and imply that they just happen to know some modelling agencies that you can send your portfolio to.


For future reference... if you GENUINELY have "the right look" that a model agency wants, then they will pay for everything because you will make them money. Any modelling agency that asks you to pay for anything is not a modelling agency!!

davidmcn

Diana62 said:

Aylesbury_Duck said:

If you know the name and address of the business, send them a letter before action setting out how much you want back and saying you'll take them to court if you don't hear from them in 14 days.

In this email, they did mention that I will be signed to an agency, if successful

"If you are successful and our team feels that you have modelling potential".
Not that being on the books of an agency means you'll actually get offered work anyway. 

All the stars that never were are parking cars and pumping gas...

mikb

@Diana62 great that you posted that screen grab. Here's the level of cynical you need ... or more ... when reading that sort of thing

The shortlist -- ah, you feel special now, don't you? Hint: Every sucker they rope in ends up on the shortlist. It's not short. Why exclude money walking in through the door? See also: "GUARANTEED and CERTIFIED to be selected to receive a chance to win a share of £1 million". Which words catch your eye, GUARANTEED, CERTIFIED, or the other words in italics ... ?

"We work in collaboration with agencies and ..." -- so, for example, "we send your details unsolicited to agencies we know have little intention of hiring you for anything. In fact, some have told us stop sending this stuff, as they don't take leads from random companies." -- See also: publishing and music deal scams. They did their bit, and sent off your info. No complaint possible.

They know you are unlikely to have a professional portfolio. Chances are if you did, you wouldn't be contacting them. Helpfully they'll make you one.

... and the portfolio you were promised, could be a bunch of pictures on a website. They didn't say it would be a physical printed thing you could take away to other people. In fact, they'd probably hate you doing that in case someone said "this is not up to standard, where did you get this done?"

"On the day, you will be assessed " ... how likely you are to part with lots of money. For all the extras.

These "opportunities" come and go, but the thinking behind it is the same. -- Appear to promise a lot, let the customer fill in the blanks, actually promise as little as possible, and deliver it. That way, no complaint can succeed, and most people will be too embarrassed (or worse: self-blaming) to complain in the first place.