I almost lost $300 to a PayPal scam. Late at night, I received a text reporting a problem asking for my login details and didn't think twice. The next morning, I found unauthorized transactions. Fortunately, my bank resolved the issue within 24 hours. Yet, the bitter aftertaste and the churning in my stomach was still there. I felt so stupid, how could I not realise what an obvious set up this was? Despite being the victim of theft, I felt ashamed. I felt as if I was the only person on the planet stupid enough to fall for such an easy trick.
If that is true, then why does everyone I share this story with recount their own scam experiences?
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics 1390 people experience a scam per day in Australia alone. The economical blow can sometimes be enough to cost someone their life's savings, Most of us are aware of emails with dodgy invoices offering to cancel our subscription, calls from the Chinese embassy asking for our details or texts claiming packages from the Post we never ordered. But there is a type of scam that does not get enough attention and that is what I hope to remedy with this article: modelling agency scams.
I've gotten tired of aspiring models booking a portfolio update with me sharing the disillusion these organisations have caused them. I knew this type of scam was common in Sydney, but I didn't realise just how common they were until I shared on my socials I was considering writing an article about this. My inbox got flooded with messages by aspiring models and well established ones who have had some sort of encounter with these despicable organisations. I promised to keep their testimonies private and shared in their outrage. Some of them have been shared through this article.
I believe the reason why not a lot of people know about these scams is because those who go through them feel ashamed. Modelling scams feed off aspiring models hopes and dreams, they think they've finally made it with an agency when in fact they're about to have their time and money stolen.
"This happened to me. They offered me a discount for signing up to be advertised on their website. I've paid to join an agency and then got no work through that agency". This model is now a successful freelancer, pageant winner and educator.
WHAT ARE MODEL SCAMS
Let's start by clarifying something: modelling agencies are amazing organisations that protect their models and help them grasp career opportunities that are usually out of a freelancer's reach. I have nothing against modelling agencies, in fact I work closely with some of the most important ones in Sydney and Melbourne.
My accusations today are directed at organisations who pretend to be an agency, but are in fact just taking money and offering nothing in return to the people they "sign". A real modelling agency makes money from taking a cut of the jobs they get their models. A fake one makes money from the models they pretend to take in. They lure these aspiring models in with praise over their portfolios, promising them amazing opportunities and work, as long as they first pay for one of their courses, model camps, or photo shoot services.
Their arguments are extremely convincing, claiming they only use a specific photographer to ensure the quality of the portfolio or that is natural for the model to need a course, after all they have no experience. A real agency would obviously never send models unprepared to a campaign. Instead, they take the time to organise test shoots for them with reputable photographers and handle all communication for the model. These test shoots are free, an investment the agency is doing knowing they will get it back once their models are out working.
"When I was looking for an acting agency there were some saying if I didn't pay $500 for headshots with their agency they wouldn't sign me. With the agent I have now she doesn't care who does my headshots as long as they are professional" The model who shared this with me works as a model and actress in Sydney.
Another thing to point out about modelling scams is these organisations have perfected the ways to look legitimate. Their five star reviews are either fake or have been given by real people under pressure. The following story might be had to believe it happened here in Sydney.
A client of mine shared with me he was once coerced into a $600 runway course in order to get signed. He didn't even aspire to be a runway model, but they claimed it was still necessary. When he arrived the set up was a small office, in which someone offered generic advice for 30mins and made them all walk up and down a hallway. Once the course was finished, he was led into another room with were the owner of the company awaited. She asked him to please open google and give them a 5 star review on the spot. He believed the course was a waste of money, but when he promised to do it later to avoid the situation she insisted, looking over his shoulder as he did it. The owner told him now it was time for him to book a make up course, but luckily he was able to just walk out and block all communication with them. After our photo shoot, I was pleased to hear he eventually signed with a real agency and even booked a photo shoot with Cotton On!
Another method these scams have to seem legitimate is to associate themselves with models they don't even represent. Their websites can be featuring models from other reputable agencies who have no idea about this.
"I keep getting these weird agencies sharing my photo on their profile when I am not signed with them! I had never seen this until I started working in Sydney". The model who shared this has a decade of experience in both South America and Australia.
Another popular scamming method seem to be modelling competitions. These competitions are designed to make money from the people signing up, promising a cash prize or to get signed with them as a reward. They might charge a big fee to sign up right at the start, or they might claim participation is free and try to squeeze in hidden fees as the competition goes along. The closest thing a real agency can have for this is days in which they take open auditions. They will announce on their socials a specific day in which anyone can come up to their offices and show their portfolio. There are no fees or guarantees, but models can walk out knowing that they've had a fair shot and their portfolio didn't get lost in some inbox.
"There are many scam kid agencies. When I was younger there was one agency that wanted people to pay $4000 just to be signed with them. Lucky for me, I won their competition, so I got to be with them for free, but my other friends who didn't had to pay and never saw a job from them." The model who shared this with me is a model and actor here in Sydney.
"It's horrible, there is this one agency which is always doing modelling competitions. Not only do they never give anyone their cash prize, they also charge all sorts of fees to participants making them believe they have a chance to win". The model who shared with this is also a content creator and stylist here in Sydney.
RED FLAGS
To summarise, here are some red flags one can look out for when applying to agencies.
Booking a course with them/attending a paid model camp is compulsory if you want to get signed
Your portfolio is only valid if you do it with one of their photographers
They require a fee or subscription so sign with them
Their website has a page explaining the importance of any of the above
They guarantee work or big campaigns
They claim to be part of huge campaigns, but their socials have no engagement
They list creators, but do not link their social media
When in doubt, it's always a good idea to ask for references or even contact other models who are part of the agency for references.
INTERNATIONAL IMAGE WORK
I intentionally avoided discussing "image work" scams because I lack first-hand experience on the topic. However, since we're addressing modelling scams, it's crucial to highlight this disturbing issue so people can be informed. Here's the link to the Channel 4 documentary The Dark Side of Modelling. The documentary reveals how fraudulent agencies in the UK lure models with promises of "image work" in exotic locations like Dubai, offering substantial sums of money. The opportunity seems irresistible, but when models place their trust in these agencies, they end up in the daunting situation of being in a foreign country, with their passports confiscated and pressured into activities they didn't agree to with powerful men from that country. As the presenter points out, being linked with these agencies can severely damage a model's reputation, which is why many choose not to disclose their experiences.
Although discussing these scams can be difficult, it's crucial for helping others steer clear of them. By normalising the knowledge of these scams, we also take power away from the organisations that are trying to get away with them. It breaks my heart hearing these stories learning about these amazing creatives having their dreams (and wallets) toyed with. I hope this article helps aspiring models not to fall into this trap. For those who are still recovering from the effects of a scam, remember: you are not alone and there is no shame in what you have been through. The people who did this to you, they are the ones who should be ashamed.
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