I feel really stupid for not checking if Explore Talent was a scam before I got myself in this mess!
A little over a year ago, I made myself a free account on the site because I love acting and I was curious to see what kind of chances I had. I had my suspicions on just how legitimate the site really was and I wasn't expecting anything from it until about 3 months ago...
I kept getting calls from a Las Vegas, NV number. The first few times I saw it, I ignored it - I don't know anyone from there. However, I then received a voice mail from a guy named Percy Pratt telling me that I was wanted in a Mark Wahlberg and Russel Crowe film. I didn't call back right away because I was still suspicious and I ignored the voice mail. About 4 days later, I decided to call back just to see what would happen. I took notes.
When I called, he began telling me about the close to 200 auditions that my profile was "matched" with and that I had not submitted my profile to any of them. He also mentioned that I was wanted to audition for the Mark Wahlberg film. When I wanted more information about it, he let me know that I wasn't yet a pro member and I was told that he could only give me more information if I was. He began telling me about all the benefits of having the pro membership. He said that with this membership, Explore Talent would submit my profile for me to all the audition matches each week. He told me that Explore Talent had a "94% success submission by numbers." The man sounded very sincere in telling me that he really thinks that I had a good chance of getting a role. He told me that for $250.00 extra, I could become a SAG member and that I would be getting paid $860.00 per day. He listed the price options available and convinced me that with just one role, I could pay off Explore Talent's membership price. He said that casting directors would be able to contact me directly and that he will be sending me my own personal business card which include my picture. I agreed and right away I was asked for my credit card number and all my personal information.
I fell for it mainly because of all the "trusted business" approvals on the bottom of the website's page. Overall, I think I paid something close to $500.00 It has been 3 months since then, I haven't heard from Percy again, I have not received any of the business cards that I paid for, nor have I even received 1 view on my profile. I have cancelled my membership and I sure hope they get sued with a huge lawsuit!
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