One Source Talent: Scam? I need answers asap!?

Question

okay, so One Source is NOT an agency. it invests in you 0%.
YOU do all the work. they give u "homework" which is applying to 15 jobs a week. They called me out of the blue asking me to come in. I thought they said they were from ford modeling but i was half asleep so that was my fault. once i got there something didnt feel. they were selling themselves to a gourp of people. they took a few pictures, measured me, then i went into a room for an interview. she made me do a walk (which i know doesnt even matter) and asked me a bunch of question. she said to come in the next day cause she liked me. that would be today. they asked us to pay upfront. they were very convincing, saying they werent an agency but they were more the hookup and stuff. they made 300-400 bucks a year sound cheap. people say its a scam. is it really? if it is.. im screwed. do you think i can get my money back?

-fool

Answer 1

I think you already know you were scammed. You can try to get your money back, file a claim with your local Better Business Bureau and call anyone else you want and tell them that this company is taking money from people in your town, but sadly they do it every day and it's too bad you didn't ask here first. Maybe if you tell them you think you're being scammed and you want your money back or you'll file a claim against them they'll give you your money rather than deal with the hassle. It's worth a shot, but make sure you read all the fine print first... you probably don't know what you signed.

Legit agencies do not cold call anyone nor do they approach you in the mall. They don't need to. Go directly to the big agencies websites. They tell you exactly what they want. Start there. There are other agencies of course, but this is a starting point.

http://www.fordmodels.com/main.cfm - click on ‘global scouting’
http://www.elitemodel.com/flash.html - click on ‘be discovered’

Don't pay anyone ever again. An agent gets 10% AFTER they get you work, nothing up front.

Good luck

Answer 2

Well, I'm sorry you got taken. Fortunately it wasn't for that much money. I've seen people get taken for thousands. Consider it tuition in the school of life. Everyone gets robbed at some point. What they did is probably legal so it's very unlikely you can get your money back. You CAN file complaints though. The BBB and the attorney general would be a good place to start. You can also file a suit in small claims court. You can pay extra and have a Sheriff deliver the summons. How do you think it would look to a prospective client when the fuzz shows up waving one of those around? When someone does me wrong I can be a real pain! They don't soon forget me and they regret what they did. Make 'em earn that money! Don't merely get even, pay them back tenfold! Make yourself feel better, don't let 'em win! Good luck, and it's only human to make mistakes
from time to time. Now go beat them up a little instead of yourself.

Answer 3

Sorry to say, but it sounds like some kind of set up. If you've paid them money up front (And judging by what you typed earlier you have) all may not be lost!

People in tough situations sometimes have a way of looking out for each other. I know quite a few friends of mine who got roped into acting agency scams, similar to this one. They couldn't get out of a contract they signed, so instead they used the opportunity to network with other people that were in the same situation. When one person booked a job, usually on their own, they would try their best to spread the word around so that others could get a shot as well. It's weird how it happens, but I have seen it work.

Sure it sounds like wishfull thinking, but if you've already put down the money you might as well try to get something out of it. Keep your eyes and ears open, you never know who may cross your path that you never expected.

Answer 4

You were scamed! We say this everyday/night. If it sounds too good to be true, IT IS!

Only go to Legitimate Talent Agencies. If you cannot find a Legitimate Talent Agency in the city where you live.
Don't worry about it. Acting and agencies will always be around.

You are doing the work for One Source. I doubt if they will refund your money, because you didn't ask sufficient questions during your interview with them.
The burden was on you question them.

Answer 5

i was just wondering the SAME thing because they viewed my acting/modeling profile on the internet and asked me to come in for an interview tommorow, ive heard some sucess stories and some scam stories as well, i think it depends on which office you go to, and the people you deal with. But most likley im not going to go tommorow because of all of the crap ive heard. If you want your money back and they wont give it to you, report then to the BBB. Good luck!!

Answer 6

Yes, it's absolutely a scam. Anyone who claims to do a service like that and ask for money up front is a scam. There's very little chance of you getting your money back but go to the better business bureau in your town and see if they can help you.

Answer 7

That was the same thing that happened to me =[
They are just taking your money..
They'll say " I want money for pictures, and for this, and that"
And they will never give you a job
Kinda Sucks.. but that's how it is...
I am still looking for a better agency...

Answer 8

Which one did you go to? I went to the one in SD. They are a total scam!

Answer 9

real modeling agencies don't ask you for money. you're probably screwed but do your best to get your money back