how can I find out if a modeling agent is legitimate?

Answer 1

From ehow.com (reposting here citing fair use for educational purpose):

Contact a local advertising association to get the names of advertising agencies in your area. Then ask the art and creative directors which agents they use when hiring models.

Call local photographers and find out which agents they use when hiring models.

Schedule your appointment during working hours and meet the agent at his or her office. Avoid meeting with an unfamiliar agent anywhere else.

Look around the office. Do you see pictures of ads the agent has booked for his or her models? Are the phones ringing? You want to see a busy office.

Ask to see the composite sheets and head shots of the models the agent represents. Do they look good? Keep in mind that unscrupulous agents have been known to display ads showing models that they don't represent. An agent representing a model should have the model's composite sheet on hand, so ask to see it.

Call models who work with the agent before your interview, if possible. Do they like the agent? Do they get work through the agent? Does the agent treat them well? Are they paid on time? (Generally payments are made within 90 days.)

Call the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been made against the agency.

Legitimate agents do not ask for expense money.

Answer 2

First call the Better Business Bureau.
Second ask for credentials.
Third do your own investigation, trying to reach agents other clients.

Answer 3

You can call around to modeling agencies and schools. Ask around about them such as their credentials. You should be able to find out if their legit by going through other resources.

Answer 4

ask her for credentials and see if u can talk to other models she has helped out....