Models Advised To Avoid Scams by Going Direct to Agencies
There has been extensive media coverage of models being deceived by ‘scam’ modelling agencies. These agencies present themselves as the direct stepping-stone to a successful modelling career, but in reality their only goal is to take people’s money.
‘Scam’ modelling agencies have a range of strategies at their disposal. One common technique is to insist that aspiring models pay for an expensive photo shoot, or direct them to enrol on a course before they will be offered any work. In fact, this is simply unnecessary. Clients select models based on their look, which can be captured perfectly well by friends or family using any good home camera.
The modelling industry is largely unregulated, and this means that there are risks for models looking for agencies to represent them. However, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is working directly with models and modelling agencies to help eliminate ‘scam’ agencies in the industry.
The Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 is a directive created by BIS to protect models and help them find a genuine agency. Regular checks are carried out directly on modelling agencies by officials on behalf of BIS, including site visits, to ensure that the legal requirements are being met.
Aspiring models can avoid ‘scam’ modelling agencies by carrying out some basic background research before accepting any contract offers. Firstly, it is important to check that the potential modelling agency is regulated by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2003/20033319.htm). Another important step is to check for examples of previous modelling assignments, for instance on the agency’s website, making sure they are recent. Models should also check the location of the agency’s main office to ensure it is a bona fide commercial premises – not a residential address, for example. It may be worth visiting the office directly to meet staff in person.
Modelling can be a difficult industry to break into directly, but legitimate modelling agencies are still the best way to build the foundations of a modelling career. The steps suggested above should help to direct models away from scam agencies.
