this a scam?

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Not quite a Newb Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 46

a girl on myspace posted a topic saying she got a message offering a modeling job out of the blue. this is the message the "agency" sent her:

Hello,

You have a great look!
I am a scout for a company called One Source Talent. We have 7 offices nationwide. We are actively looking for new faces for our new LA office, open this year. We work with both models and actors as well as we have opportunities for dancers and singers.

I would like to set up a time for you to come in and meet with the office director for an evaluation and to discuss the opportunities that we may have for you.

Please contact me back if you are interested, and I will give you the info and set up the meeting. We are only seeking serious individuals.

You may also check out our website for more info. DO NOT fill out an online application since we are already in contact.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks
Amanda Dumouchelle
Talent Scout
One Source Talent

the website is http://www.onesourcetalent.com/

I'd like to know yalls thoughts.

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 18312

The part asking her not to use their online application sounds suspicious, as if they are piggybacking a legit company.

Here is the contact information for their LA office. She should call or write them directly, pasting in the email she received, to ask.

http://www.onesourcetalent.com/contact/losangeles.cfm

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 1:32 am

This is a company (previously called TCT), selling a product rather than actually looking for models. They will charge your friend $395.00 to sign up, then proceed to sell her shots needed for a portfolio. My guess is that they work on commission, hence the request not to go through the online application as they person contacting her wants the money.

Do a search for "online source talent scam" and you'll find many unhappy people.

Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 2:00 am

searched for " one source" rather than " online source "

http://www.easybackgroundcheck.com/onesourcetalent.html
http://www.scamfraudalert.com/f19/onesource-talent-www-onesourcetalent-com-2392/

In both it was wrote:

... Yes, the onesourcetalent.com website or company is by people whose background is leadership at franchises for the Wilhelmina Scouting Network scam, a web-based advertising service, the biggest modeling scam in American history, subject of constant complaints--over 2,000 at the Florida Attorney General's office alone--and about 900 at the Orlando Better Business Bureau.)
...

http://forums.models.com/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=522&Topic=70968

Quote:

... basically, you have to pay like a $275 starting fee and then $30 per month.. They will call you about jobs about ONCE A MONTH at the most, which is hardly never, and the jobs are never ever paid.
...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070927115002AAFsKsN

Quote:

... They sell web hosting services for models and actors. As to how much casting agents actually use this web service there is no way to know as the website is sketchy at best.
...

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/101/RipOff0101435.htm

Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 6:28 pm

these scams go back to the 50s.

modeling - well, do you really think people need to scour the net to find photogenic people? real agencies turn people down by the 100s who try to walk in the door or ship them snail mail professionally done shots.

But this is not my real area of expertise

TALENT however, is what i do.

real talent agencies are licensed by the entertainment unions. If you don't see the words SAG, AFTRA, AGMA, AEA, AGVA in their letter head or somewhere on their home page BEWARE.

and even if you DO see these acronyms, cross reference it by going to that unions website to check and see.

edit: just checked on One Source. Everything they list under "opportunites" are open call type auditions which would appear in local news, trade papers, and online at VH1 or ABC. A real agency sends you on calls that are NOT open to the public. That's why you pay them. And that's why the client pays THEM, to filter prospects.