Model/Extras Work on Craigslist are Scammers
So because of the stories that I’ve heard of legit production companies and shows posting ads on Craigslist, I finally caved in and warily, decided to give it a try. When I went on and searched I saw there really was nothing for me. However, I saw that there were posts looking for extras or models for a small shoot here and there. I responded to about seven of them. I figured they may be scams but eh, why not? What if they weren’t? And then I could at least do something that would give me money…..right? WRONG! WRONG!!
So I get a call from “Shannon” working for “Wcasting” asking if I’d like to schedule an appointment. She asked me when was a good time for the following day. I responded by asking her what they did or what kinds of things they worked for….something like that. She said “oh Law and Order. Tv shows like that.” So I was all like “ok.” So I set it up for noon the following day and she gave me the address. “224 West 35th Street between 7th and 8th.” She told me and I was like ” ok see you then” .
I always check the stuff online so I got on my computer and checked it out on Google. Wcasting had no website. Nothing showed up, just a bunch of random sites. So I typed in the address. I go to the first link which is the Google Maps link and underneath the address and map are the reviews. The first thing that I read is SCAM! There were about 5 reviews about how they were scammed into giving like 100 dollars for some crappy pictures. Then they get escorted out a back door.
I go on some other links and I found even more reviews.
So here are the links that I found.
Wcasting or World Model Talent or whatever other name they call themselves, it’s all fake.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/world-model-talent-new-york
http://local.yahoo.com/info-40762789-model-talent-network-new-york
I obviously didn’t go. That was last week. I was just thinking how it sucks because I know I’m going to be pestered by yet another “Casting agency” on my phone. Ugh.
Said and done, today I get another call from some lady. She sounded like a white older lady.
She’s all like “Hi is this eh…..IsaBella.”
I’m like “Yes it is”.
“I see you responded to our catalog shoot. Are you union or are you working with an agent?”
“No”
” Well would you like to schedule an appointment to see us sometime today like at 3?” (It was already almost 2pm)
“oh I can’t do it today.”
“Well how about tomorrow?”
” Well I’d like to know a few things like Who am I speaking with? What do you guys do you know…”
“Listen would you like our number so you can reach us when you decide to see us?”
” yeah”
“ok, It’s 212 -576-8811. Bye”
“who are you? “ (click)
She hung up quick as hell.
So I googled the number. Another scam. Thankfully this woman decided to blog about her experience with a “model casting agency” and all of the blog responders shared theirs as well.
Here’s the Link to that.
http://somesmallsense.blogspot.com/2006/09/model-casting-scam.html
If you want to do something regarding entertainment, Craigslist is not it. Sure there may have been shows that really use it but I’d rather not be inconvenienced with a bunch of stupid phone calls and voicemails from these idiots.
I just feel bad for all those who get suckered into giving money to these people.
If you want to model, go to an agency you’ve heard of like Ford Models or something. In some ways, not doing so is taking the easy route( which doesn’t exist)….and this is what happens.
Acting…again go to an agent you may have heard of before.
If you are a woman, be wary of Craigslist. A lot of the scamming is about money but hey …you never know if those posts are luring you into something much worse.
If you are looking for work be careful!
One thing people “in transition” (recent graduates) need to be on the lookout for are scam jobs,false companies whatever you want to call them.
Here’s a little story.
Two things I have to say.
- I have amazing Intuition (Thank you God)
- Thank God for the Internet
I have been looking for work in my field but just recently I decided to look for any entry level job. I took a look at one opening for a marketing company called Heat Inc.
It seemed like something I could do in the meantime especially since they said recent graduates should apply, and that they were willing to train. They had a link to the website and I thought to myself “ok,well if they have a website it might be legit”. Then I saw the address. I felt it was sketchy. I know that building. I used to work there before and I hated working there. They paid me crap money and most of what they sold at my old job were lies so I just associate that building with scumbag salespeople.
I wasn’t going to apply. But then I said “eh why not? It’s not the same company or people or even suite number. Let’s see what happens. But I bet they are going to email/call me for an interview as soon as I send it. If they do that, then it’s another red flag that they at least pay really crappy.”
So I sent it. What happens? They email me right back 20 minutes later. I felt my suspicions were confirmed a bit but I went and scheduled an interview anyway.
I was supposed to go for it today. I still had this nagging feeling. I had trouble sleeping all night thinking all sorts of things but regardless the theme of the thoughts was that it wasn’t legit.
I couldn’t fight the feeling off so I was going to check the website again to analyze whether it was authentic. I couldn’t remember the url so I googled it and on the suggestions dropbox is ” Heat group inc scam” so I clicked on it.
It is a scam. Take a look. This is the order I found the links.
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/ripoffreport
http://www.ripoffreport.com/employers/ksw-marketing-ken-we/ksw-marketing-ken-weinraub-t-f3w34.htm
http://cbs3.com/investigations/undercover.investigations.jim.2.885154.html
No “Marketing” jobs for me. Maybe God is trying to tell me something. I’ll stick solely to TV/Film.
