I am writing to report the fraudulent and misleading business practices of Trans Continental Talent and/or Web Style Network. Recently, I was lied to and mislead into giving my credit card information to this company for what sounded like a great opportunity, but was only just a scam. I've been working very hard for the past year on my own to make an impact in the entertainment industry in both modeling and acting. I have invested a lot of my time and money in pursuing my dream, but unethical companies like Transcontinental Talent make it very difficult for people like I to get anywhere in this industry. This company saw my enthusiasm and passion for what I do, and used it against me to take advantage of me.in doing so this company charged a large amount of money to my credit card for services that were never rendered even after I had contacted them telling them that I wanted to cancel any arrangements with them because I got the feeling that they were just a scam. I was lied to and taken advantage of through deceptive and dishonest promises of success and fortune. This company misled me and tricked me into giving my credit card information, and then later stole my money even after knowing that I had no intentions of doing business with them.
I first came in contact with the Trans Continental Talent through my daily research on the Internet for acting and modeling opportunities. I am very active in this industry and have great aspirations for a successful career. It was in early October when I was doing research on the Internet and came across a site for Wilhelmina Scouting. The site explained how they were one of top scouting companies in the industry and how they had helped so many famous talents get discovered all over the United States. The site explained how they could help me get discovered so much faster than I would be able to on my own. The site insisted that I click on a link to The 2003 Fashion Rock Event in Orlando, Florida for a chance to meet with all the top agents in the industry. They explained that all the best agencies would be there and that there was no other way to meet all the top agencies. They said that there was no other event like it.
Once I clicked on this link, it sent me to a web page all about the 2003 Fashion Rock event. This site was full of false and misleading information about the event. It explained that this was the best and quickest way for me to get discovered.By attending this exclusive event they explained that I would be able to meet and interview with all of the top agencies in the industry. To me the event sounded like a great opportunity and almost as if it were the only way for me to get in contact with any of the these top agencies. I was convinced that I was going about my quest for discovery all-wrong after reading this and that this event was my only shot. I was convinced that if I could attend this event, I would be able to make all my wildest dreams come true, otherwise I would be too difficult to make it on my own.
As a result, I filled out the application on-line and submitted my personal information in hopes to be contacted for a phone interview and a chance to attend this exclusive event. Now with this being such a large and incredible event, attracting people nationwide, I thought that I would have to be extremely lucky to be contacted for an interview, or at least had a slim chance if any. Now, a week or so went by and then I was contacted by phone on October 15 by one of Trans Continental Talent's talent scouts, Hyo Kim. The scout, Hyo Kim addressed me on the phone with a great degree of enthusiasm and told me how excited he was to conduct the interview with me and assured me of how great of an opportunity the event was to me. The scout spent several minutes explaining to me how great the opportunity was and about all the great things going on at the event. He told me about all the agents that would be there, agents that I would never otherwise have a chance to meet, in addition to all the famous people, famous models, and rock stars that would be present. He explained that it was definitely a one of a kind of event and that if I wanted to make it in this industry this was my opportunity. He also explained how exclusive it was and how there was nothing like it. He made it very clear that not everybody gets an invitation to the event, but only the best and most competitive talents. He asked me if I thought that I was amongst these talents. He also asked me many times how bad I wanted to make it in this industry. He knew that I was very passionate about my dream and continued to lead me on.
The scout then began the interview process. He asked me questions about my involvement in the industry and my degree of passion for my dream to succeed in this industry. He asked me about the opportunities that I have exposed myself to and about the different people and agents that I have met. He explained that I would never have another chance to expose myself to the degree of opportunity that I would be able to in just one weekend by attending the Fashion Rock event. The Trans Continental Talent scout built me up with a whole lot of promises and attractive information during the interview process. I was first just extremely excited to have even been considered for a phone interview that by the scout feeding me all this appealing information and positive feedback that I was in awe by the whole experience. Although I was excited, I was still very skeptical and had every reason to be. I just didn't want to make the wrong move.
The scout, Hyo Kim then proceeded by telling me about how great of an interview he had with me and how glad he was to have spoken with me. He said that he definitely felt that I was qualified and would do very well at the event. He then explained that he was going to put me on hold for a moment and speak with his supervisor to see if he could get me an invitation to the event because he liked me and thought that I could be very successful at the event.By this time I was so excited that if he played his cards right, I may have given him any information he would have requested. I thought for sure that I could trust him and that he was only helping me to get a better chance to make all my dreams come true.
I was on hold for a moment before Hyo Kim came back on the phone and he said that he was very excited to extend me an invitation to the event. He said that I interviewed very well and that he thought I was definitely qualified for the event. He said that he would be my personal contact for anything I would need. He gave me all his contact information and insisted that I contact him directly if I had any questions. Mr. Kim then requested that I send photos to him so that he could help get me ready for the event. He said that he was very excited to meet me when I get to the event. He explained how much of an honor it was to get an invitation to the event and that spots were very limited, so I had to reserve a spot immediately before they were all occupied.
Now at this time I was very skeptical and did not expect to pay any money or to make any big decisions at the time. I was still surprised that I had gotten a call and let alone be extended an invitation to such an exclusive event. The scout stayed in control of the conversation and made sure to keep everything moving along very quickly before I could second think anything. He expressed again the importance of holding my spot and the great opportunity that this event would be to me. Hyo explained that he would connect me to his billing department and all I had to do was give my credit card information to the representative in order to hold my spot. Again, I reiterate, Hold my spot. I told him that I was unsure as to whether I would be able to attend the event, but that I was excited about the opportunity. He explained to me that this would be no charge to my credit card, but that they would only take an authorization for the amount of the event. Meaning that they would just put a hold on this amount of available credit on my credit card. He explained that I would then receive the information about the event by mail or email and that when I get this information, I would just have to fill the form out, sign it, and send it in to finalize everything. I again clarified with him that nothing would be charged to my credit card until I received the written information and gave a signed authorization of sale. Hyo Kim assured me that I was only giving my credit card information to hold my spot and would not be charged.
The Transcontinental Talent scout mislead me to believe that I was giving my credit card information for other reasons than to be billed for the full amount of the event. He assured me that I would have time to confirm my attendance and to authorize the sale. I was mislead to believe that there would be no transaction made to my credit card, but that the amount would be held or frozen on my account as a deposit until I signed the form and sent it in to finalize everything or the sale. At the time, I was in no position or had no way of knowing if I could or would be able to get down to Orlando for a couple of days to participate in this event. Just a few minutes prior, I wasn't even expecting the phone call, or especially an invitation to such an exclusive event. This was the first that I had heard about the event since filling out the application on-line and had never seen anything in writing as far as costs or procedures.
After believing that I was only giving my credit card information for the company to put a hold on the specified amount to keep my spot for the event, I was then transferred to the billing department. I was under the impression that nothing was final until I was sent further information, signed it and returned it confirming my attendance. During the time that the representative asked me for my credit card, I was never told that my credit card was being charged for this amount, that these charges would be final, and that it would be non-refundable. I was still under the impression as Hyo Kim told me that my card would only have an authorization taken on it and that I would have the final word or chance to respond with my signature to finalize the sale. The whole interaction was very quick and left me a little uneasy about supplying them with my credit card information, especially since I had never intended on planning such a trip with such short notice. I was again surprised to have even been extended an invitation. I would never have given my credit card information for something that I was so unsure of if their representative hadn't assured me that I would not be charged.
A week or so then went by after the interview before I was sent any information about the event. It was then that I was sent the specified form by email. I was informed to fill out the form, sign it and then send it back by mail or email with pictures of me to finalize the transaction. It was then the first time that I saw any specifications about the event in writing. Upon reading over this information, I decided that the event was not feasible or appropriate for me, and that I would not be able to make such an investment toward my career by paying such a large amount to attend this one event. I was still under the impression that I had to sign and send back the form to finalize all transactions. Over the next week, a few of Trans Continental representatives made attempts to contact me by phone in order to get more information from me about my accommodations for the event. With the impression that nothing was ever finalized, I had made no accommodations and did not immediately return their calls. I thought that by not responding they would know that I was not attending the event. I was still waiting to receive my Discover bill to see if a transaction was present.
It was not until I received my next Discover credit card bill in the middle of November that I realized that they had actually taken a sale on my credit card and did not just take a hold or authorization. The sales were already made final without a response or confirmation from me. I couldn't believe that they charged my credit card for $345.00 and for $250.00 when I was told prior that they would only put a hold on my card until I confirmed my status. I immediately felt that I was taken advantage of and that this was not an ethical business transaction. After receiving my credit card bill I immediately called Transcontinental Talent and disputed these charges because I was unjustly taken advantage of and lied to by the Trans Continental representative.
I called Trans Continental demanding a refund and explained how I was lied to and mislead into giving my credit card information and I refused to pay this bill. I contacted the Trans Continental Talent company and explained that I was lied to and only gave my credit card on the grounds that I would not be charged until I gave a signed response to them either by mail or email because this is what their representative told me. During this conversation I made it clear that I did not authorize this charge and that I would not be attending this event. I informed them that at the time of the interview I was unsure as to whether I would be attending the event and told this to their representative, who assured me that I would have time to confirm my decision. The representative at Trans Continental Talent that I was making the dispute to said that she would cancel my account making it inactive and would research my inquiry about the charges. She said that they would investigate and get back to me in a week. I was very upset and explained that I was misled and lied to by their representative, and informed them that I did not want to attend the event and did not want to do business with them. I informed her again that the only reason that I gave my credit card information was on the grounds that I would not be charged. This representative Lisa was very uncooperative and did not sound like she wanted to help me.
After calling Transcontinental Talent and disputing these charges on the grounds that I was lied to, I then reported this phone scam and unjust business transaction to Discover card. I placed a dispute with Discover card informing them of my situation and my refusal to pay for these unauthorized charges. Discover assured that they would put in a dispute for these charges and investigate the situation. I was very upset about being lied and misled and that Trans Continental was not taking my dispute seriously by telling me that I would be contacted in a week that I contacted Trans Continental again the following day, and spoke to another representative. I informed this rep, Jennifer Floran of my story and explained that I refused to pay these charges because I was unethically led into giving my credit card information. She again said that she would give the information to a supervisor and contact me in a week about the complaint. Nobody was willing to help me or resolve my dispute. I was very upset about the way they were handling my complaint and felt as though they were trying to avoid my concerns. I was not very happy with whole situation because these charges are not minimal charges; they are extremely high and they have had a great effect on my financial status.
I am very concerned about resolving these charges because the effect they have had on my finances and credit. I feel that this is bad business for the fact that I am being charged and have never received anything from this company. I am just being charged for absolutely nothing, even after informing them that I did not want to do business with them. Now I have a very charge on my account for a service that I have never received and my financial status is in great jeopardy.
During the following week after placing the dispute with Discover, I received confirmation that they were investigating the dispute and that they would be in contact with me. I never heard from Trans Continental Talent after placing the dispute with Discover. A few weeks went by and then I received my second bill from Discover card and I noticed that Trans Continental had charged me for a third balance even after I had called in and cancelled everything. They continued to charge me even after making a dispute and having their representative make my account inactive. I could not believe their unethical business practices.in response to this, I again contacted Discover card and put in a dispute for the new charge of $250.00.
After a few weeks had gone by and Discover card's dispute department conducted their investigation, I received a letter from Discover stating that they had conducted the investigation and that the transaction was authorized because Trans Continental Talent had me recorded on dvd giving my credit card information. I explained to discover that I gave my credit card information on the grounds that I would not be charged for anything and that it was just to hold my spot until confirmation was made. I explained to them again that I refused to pay these charges because I was unjustly misled into giving my credit card information on the grounds that I would not be charged until I gave written confirmation. Enclosed with this letter, you will find this information with Trans Continental sales script of their transaction process.
After receiving this information and contacting Discover about it, I then contacted Trans Continental Talent. Upon contacting them, I asked to speak with a supervisor. After being juggled around by many representatives and explaining my story over and over for 2 hours on the phone I was connected to the final representative, Lisa Westlake who explained to me that there was nothing I could do. She said that I was responsible for the charges and she said that hopefully I learned my lesson. She said that I was recorded on dvd authorizing the charges. Lisa allowed me to listen to the dvd of which my voice was recorded. I reiterated to her that the only reason I was on dvd giving my credit card information was because I was lied to as to why and for what reason I would be giving my information, but of course they did not have my prior conversation with Hyo Kim in which he lied to me on dvd. This I feel is very unjust.
While listening to the dvd, I followed along with the sales script that they enclosed in the paperwork. Never during the conversation did the Trans Continental representative inform that he would make a sale on my credit card that would be final and that would be non-refundable, although this is outlined in the sales script.in this script enclosed, it is made clear that in the fourth paragraph on the first page of the script that the representative must make clear that charges are nonrefundable and that they must receive a response from the customer that the customer agrees and understands before continuing. None of this was done during the conversation. I feel that the business in which Trans Continental Talent conducts is very unethical and that it was unjust to me as the consumer that their representative lied to me and mislead me to giving my credit information on his word that I would not be charged. As this representative, Hyo Kim was supposed to be my personal contact and the person that I was supposed to be able trust; I feel that I was taken advantage of by this representative and company as a whole. I can't believe the way that I have been treated.
Ultimately, this company unjustly charged my credit card in three different transactions for a total of $845.00 and I never received anything from them. As far as I am concerned this is theft at its finest. I am very upset about ever attempting to do business with such an unethical company. After learning more about this industry, I have learned that according to the Department of talent industry's Law Book-employment law states that you are not allowed to charge for interviews. All New York agents that are legitimate have free interviews. Trans Continental Talent lied to me and convinced to give my credit card information. They charged my credit card for a total of $845.00 and rendered no service. I as a consumer know that I have a right to refuse service and request a refund within ample time. This is exactly what I have done and Trans Continental Talent ignored my request for a refund and charged me anyway without even rendering any service at all.in this case everything about their business practices were unethical and I refuse to pay this bill. I am requesting you tell Trans Continental Talent to take these fees off my credit card.
Tim
Boothwyn, Pennsylvania
U.S.A.
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