Baby Modeling Agency Scams

Have you ever been tempted by model agency ads promising lots of, big money, and no agency fees to pay?

If you did, you came close to being sucked into a scam. And you wouldn’t have been alone. Everyday, thousands of intelligent, well-meaning parents get taken by con artists who setup phony model agencies with only one intention: to rob you of your hard earned $$$.

How do these Pick Pocketers keep getting away with it? 

Because they prey on parents’ dreams. That’s powerful bait. Unsuspecting parents get hooked in and suddenly find themselves forking out a fortune for the chance to get into the lucrative modeling industry.

Does this mean the parents are naive? Not at all. Some of these cons are elaborate and well orchestrated.

Anyone can get taken advantage of if they don’t understand the real way the industry works. That’s why it’s so critical to become a thoroughly informed parent before you take a single step into the baby modeling world. And that, of course, is what this report is all about.

We’re going to tell you exactly how the Pick Pocketers work, and give you the critical information you need to make sure you and your baby never fall into their schemes.

The Pick Pocketers

These are the people who take advantage of parents’ hopes and dreams for their children to rob them of big $$$. Watch out for 5 typical types of scams:

1. Upfront fees
2. Photo shoot fees 
3. Modeling class fees
4. Screen test fees
5. Travel and attendance fees for open calls or modeling conventions

1. Upfront fees

Let’s face it, modeling agencies are businesses. The bottom line is they have to make a profit – and they do. But they don’t do it this way.

Legitimate baby modeling agencies earn their fee – which is called a ‘commission’ – when they get a job for a baby who’s on their books.

If a baby doesn’t work, the parent doesn’t pay any money. And parents are never asked for money up-front. Period.

This means you should avoid any agency that asks for an upfront fee. You should also avoid any agency that advertises ‘no fees’ at all. Why?

First of all, because the good agencies never have to advertise. Secondly, good agencies always charge commission fees when a baby gets a job. It’s how they make their money. They’d go out of business if they didn’t charge it.

2. Photo charges

Lots of scam agencies guarantee ‘no fees’ in their ads and then quote you outrageous charges for mandatory photos.

Don’t fall for it. You don’t have to pay a cent! Money for professional photographs is money down the drain (or perhaps we should say ‘money going straight into the scam artists’ pockets.)

Any decent modeling agency will tell you they don’t want professional photos of babies.

There’s no point because a baby’s look changes too quickly.

3. Charges for modeling classes

No baby or young child needs modeling classes. And no legitimate agency would ever ask them to take one. They’re a waste of time and a complete scam.

The message is simple – if anyone asks you to pay out for modeling classes, run for the nearest exit!

4. Charges for test shoots

This scam is often carried out by so-called talent or modeling scouts, who hang around in shopping malls and approach parents with babies or young children.

The phony scouts make the first move, introducing themselves to the parent as a representative of a modeling agency or film company who’s scouting for exceptionally cute babies for a huge upcoming job.

Heaping compliments on the baby is part of the con. By the time they’ve finished, any parent would be forgiven for believing their baby is the most good looking, charismatic baby that ever appeared on this earth.

Not surprisingly, when the phony scouts give the parents an appointment for a full assessment at the model agency, most parents turn up at the address given. Sometimes they’ll find themselves among hundreds of other parents with babies.

And, guess what? Their baby is one of only a rare few chosen to be represented by the agency. (Typically, every parent is told the same thing – and always told in private.)

Once the parents have filled out a bunch of complicated forms and official looking contracts, the final part of the scam takes place. The parent is given an appointment for a screen test or test photo shoot – which they’re told is the final step before their baby starts work.

Oh – and by the way – they’re also given a bill for hundreds of dollars, to cover the cost of this essential test. It’s a dirty tactic – but it works far too often.

5. Fees for open calls or conventions

These scams start off in a similar way to the one we just talked about, but the financial damage for parents can be a whole lot worse.

They’re usually initiated by phony modeling or TV scouts, often in shopping malls. When your baby’s chosen, you’re asked to fork out literally thousands of dollars to attend an open call or modeling convention in another city. The whole thing’s a complete and absolute rip-off, of course. But it works only too often.

So there you have it. These are the Pick Pocketers – and with the help of this article, you’re never going to set foot near them.