I am a film and TV student in need of some summer work, so I look on craigslist thinking I can get some legitimate work on movie sets doing extra work. Some of my friends have done it and gotten some decent cash and food for a days work.
I find an ad that says something like "casting for national print ad, need extras, all looks needed, no experience... Etc." So I respond. I hear nothing from them, then I start getting phone calls from a 212 area code. I don't pick up numbers I don't know so I let it go to voicemail, and when I check its the ad I responded to saying that they got my number and if I am interested in extra work to schedule an appointment to come in. Needless to say I am totally excited by this!
I call them back and tell them that I got their message, and had no idea who I was and kept putting me on hold (this should have been red flag #1). Finally, she told me that they were having an open casting call for Law and Order, and it was tomorrow, and they only happen once a month!
Wow, Law and Order. Now I was really excited. I told her yes, that I would be there at 11am. I even looked up information on what to do at open calls on google so I would be prepared. I traveled in from Long Island (another 14$ in addition to what I was about to be scammed out of). I found the address and room number and was shocked when I saw it was a dirty little office... This should have been red flag number 2... But, being an idealist, I charged on thinking that it's New York, office space is at a premium, so they just took what they could. Yeah right.
Then, sleazy "Brad" calls me in and tells me he likes my look. He says that I have a Sarah Palin/Tina Fey quality. I have red rimmed glasses, and people tell me I look like those two all the time, so I ate that sh*t right up! Then he launched into his spiel so quickly that by the time I realized what was happening, my debit card was sliding into a machine. He said for 99$ I was going to get my headshot/bodyshot done... And knowing this usually costs upwards of $300 I thought I was getting a deal.
He then lead me across the hall to an equally dirty "studio" where a photographer proceeded to take my picture without any direction whatsoever. My photos were processed, and I checked them out and they were the most hideous photos of myself I had ever seen. My eyes were closed, or I was blinking in half of them. Since I had to choose 2, I chose the best of the worst and waited for smooth talking Brad to call me back in.
Once he did, the bells in my head were going off like crazy. It was here that he tried to talk me into purchasing more prints and upgrading to color for 2$ a print and most of his clients take at least 100 prints. I said flat out NO. This is all I want. He said he would be in contact within 7-9 days with a job.
As soon as I left I had a gut feeling that something was not right. I should never have purchased anything from this sleezeball. When I got home I hopped on the internet to research the "company" and it turns out it is a complete and total scam. I have never felt so stupid.
Instead of wallowing, I immediately called my bank and reported it. I blocked my account and changed my account number and sent away for a new card. When the actual charge posts to my account they said I can file a claim to reverse the charge which I fully intend to do.
But, and here is the moral of the story kids... They. Cannot. Keep. Getting. Away. With. This. There was a roomful of bright eyed, bushy tailed, hopefuls just like me waiting for their opportunity and this cant keep happening. So, instead of just posting this report, I filed a claim with the Federal Trade Commission and also called the New York State Attorney General. If everyone who reads this and found themselves in a similar situation with this joke of a company could call too, instead of just posting to the internet, maybe they can get shut down or at least federally investigated.
Federal Trade Commission:
Phone number: 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357)
Secure Online Complaint Form: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant. Gov/
New York State Attorney General:
Phone Number: 1-800-771-7755
Secure Online Complaint Form: http://www.oag. State. Ny.Us/resource_center/complaints/pdfs/cns001web_consumer. Pdf
These agencies look for patterns in reports and if enough reports show up, they launch an investigation and possibly litigation, and all it takes is a 5 minute phonecall.
I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else, but if it does, please be proactive and report it.
Thanks!
*Side note: I just checked the website to add a link here, and they are using my first name on the homepage, with a totally different picture than what was taken. My name is a little unusual so its not hard to spot. Further reason for filing a complaint.
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