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Is a test fee normal?
I got offered an audition and then offered the gig, but they're requesting a test fee that will be refunded after the shoot. I don't have a ton of modeling experience, but I just want to know if this seems normal or suspicious to anyone else. I got the offer via my model mayhem inbox from someone who's account is still awaiting approval. What are you thoughts? Nov 15 21 09:35 am Link With the amount of no-shows from models lately, I understand why the fee was requested. Check out the photographer photos and ask some of those models if the photog is legit. Nov 15 21 10:21 am Link markgridley wrote: If the gig has already been offered to you, why are they requiring a test shoot? Nov 15 21 10:55 am Link Mark Salo wrote: ^^^^^^ this!!! Nov 15 21 12:05 pm Link Thanks to everyone for the replies. The more I think about it, I think I'm being scammed (there's an attempt, anyway). I realized the person I'm contacting is using an @gmail account and the production company uses their studio name as the @. I'm also getting a lot of urgent follow ups every hour from them, which seems like strange behavior even if someone is trying to collect information ASAP. Like, I hadn't responded for an hour and I got another email in the thread that just said "Understand?" and another one an hour later saying "Still waiting to hear from you". That reads a little fishy to me, which is a shame because I was excited about getting a gig. But better safe than scammed. Nov 15 21 12:30 pm Link Yes, they are much too pushy. Did you express any interest at first? Do not reply any more, Just ignore them. "I realized the person I'm contacting is using an @gmail account" Yes, that's it; they contacted you via MM and then got kicked off. "I was excited about getting a gig." There was a model on here who received a very attractive offer. After we convinced her that it was a scam, she said, "What a shame that it was not for real because it was such a great opportunity!" No, it never was a great opportunity. Nov 15 21 12:54 pm Link markgridley wrote: Is this the message that you received? Nov 15 21 01:48 pm Link I think your case is a violation of MM rules. I am sure it violates the rules regarding casting calls. Please contact a Mod (under help on the top left side of the screen). Also flag the the message to make the mods aware of it. I doubt this has anything to do with flakes. It screams scam to me. From the opinions I have seen expressed in the forums, most models and photographers would balk at paying cancelation fees. Flakes suck, but dealing with cancellation fees and deposits is worse. If they don't trust you enough to show up, can you trust them to show up and return your money? Nov 15 21 01:56 pm Link Mark Salo wrote: Yeah, that's the exact message I get. I've already blocked the scammer's email and contacted the company they were pretending to be part of. They said this has happened before and that they've had to deal with the FBI. So screw that scammer, I'm glad I trusted my gut and didn't go through with anymore than I already had (I did NOT pay them, btw) Nov 15 21 04:41 pm Link Hunter GWPB wrote: Thanks for the tips, once I got suspicious I stopped messaging them and I definitely didn't send them the "deposit" lol. Here's hoping I find some real gigs soon! Nov 15 21 04:42 pm Link They didn't get far enough (luckily) to present the complete Scam, Good for you! This is a variation of one of the oldest and commonest scams. The Nigerian Scam. Read about it here so you can see it coming: http://www.newmodels.com/Nigeria.html Typically here they try to rush you to switch to email, because they know they will quickly get their fake MM account ended. Nobody legit needs it that urgently. Too good to be true? Its not! Any offer of advance pay = Scam! Nov 17 21 06:42 pm Link |
