emodel.com, Options Talent Group

Dear Modeling Scams,

Less than a year ago, approximately in September 2001, I was scouted by emodel, and told that for just under $400, I would have an electronic comp card that would give me exposure to thousands of agencies and photographers.

I asked for some time to think about it, and I eventually backed out, and wanted to get my money back, because I was undecided upon what to do.

I emailed them and indicated that I would not accept the charge. Unfortunately, I used a debit card. I had monthly charges continue until my debit card was discontinued. The bank indicated that I had no recourse, because it was a debit card.

I received a call from emodel earlier this year indicating that my card had expired. I told them that I hadn't wanted to continue with them to begin with.

I did receive a call from some guy in NJ who claimed he got me through emodel.com, but it was only one call, and not the type of calls emodel claimed I would get after three months.

Now I have received an offer that appears to be free, and possibly a future with a model company. I just don't know what to do. I'm afraid of being scammed again, and my debit card simply expired, and that is how I "stopped payment."

So I ask you, is this email from emodel? And are they trying to make up for the money they had taken from me without my consent?

Sincerely,

C.P.

C.,

Your bad experience with emodel.com, financial loss, and being the victim of fraud is the same as complaints others have made.

It is not really surprising if a company scams you into paying money at the "entrance," they would also try to scam you at the "exit."

Here are a few excerpts about what happened to someone who got involved with emodel.com from the seven-page report for a special investigation:

As of February, Hochadel is still trying to get the charge reversed. She is also trying to cancel her eModel membership.

 

"I emailed them a formal letter and they said that if it was 30 days prior to next billing date then I would not be charged. Well, it was, but then two weeks later I got an email from them asking me to send a formal letter. Which I had already."

 

"After three months I asked for my money back, but amazingly the person I had my final interview with, who explained all the monetary details to me, doesn't work there anymore. I was told she was lying or confused, but no way was I getting my money back."

 

She then told eModel she wanted to be removed from the site, and did not want to be charged the monthly fee any longer. "They agreed, and that was that, I thought," she said.

 

"The next month, low and behold, they charged me again -- not once but twice!"

 

After being double charged three times, Green finally had her account reimbursed for the extra charges, but filed a complaint with the Consumer Affairs division of the San Francisco District Attorney's Office to try to recover all of her money.

 

The copy of the eModel contract we examined does state in several places that the $495 original scanning and placement fee is non-refundable.

 

However, it also explains that canceling the monthly fees requires only a written notice 30 days in advance of the next payment date on one page, but on another page says that notice must be given before the first of the month.

 

Hochadel's letter met both requirements, but the fees were charged anyway.

The email you forwarded was sent by Options Talent, which was called emodel. It's not perfectly clear if they sent it because they feel guilty for stealing your money. But you should not have any further dealings with either Options Talent or any group associated with Options Talent Group until they have fully reimbursed you for the money you said they stole from you.

Any company that works with or is affiliated with a scam company is going to look guilty by association. In a largely unregulated industry where there are too many scams, reputation is critical.

If a modeling company does not have a reputation or has a bad reputation, avoid it. There was no extra information that was found about the company affiliated with Options Talent from search engine research. The website itself did not say when it was started. That does not give you a lot to work with, and no reason why you should trust them.

The domain of the "company" or "agency" you mentioned is owned by OptionsTalent.com. The address given is the same as what was listed as the corporate headquarters of emodel.com.

emodel.com had another website called emodeltalent.com. Then they became optionstalent.com.

If you have had bad experiences, but you are still serious about starting a modeling career, use the most respected method and the most respected agencies: open calls at local modeling agencies. It's the safest and cheapest way to go.

Editor, Modeling Scams.com