First of all, this is a *potential* scam, but if I were to place a percentage on it, I would say I am 99% certain that it's a money-making scheme.
Here's the deal. I am an amatuer model and have an online portfolio at a decent site. Someone sent me an email, introducing himself as a talent scout and said he had submitted my information to Model Scouts USA.
Here is his email:
"The Modeling Competition is held by Model Scouts USA. This Competition is like no other. A model cannot enter themselves. A Talent Scout or an Agency has to refer the model. Also, 10 Grand Prize Winners will win instead of your traditional 1. The Winners Selected is based on their Portfolios. I am not sure if there's a fee or not but you have to be selected by a Panel before being considered. I went ahead and forwarded your information. The website is modelscoutsusa.com. I believe it's still down from some server error but check just to make sure. If you are selected you should be receiving an email soon."
Immediately, I was skeptical, because my portfolio is pretty basic and I'm definitely not "agency" material. I only model part time for the fun of it and *maybe* the extra cash. Bear in mind, I do this as a hobby, not a profession.
Anyhow, I thought maybe the sender of the email was probably just looking to send in some referrals to Model Scouts USA because that's his job. I didn't expect to get anything from Model Scouts USA. But I did! I got an attachment email from the so-called "Scouting Director" whose name at the top of the application was stated as Laura Devaull. The application can be opened with Microsoft Word.
It says:
"The Model Scouting Panel has selected you among several others to participate in the 2004 Model Scouts USA Competition. To be considered please follow these directions carefully: 1. Print this form. 2. Complete the application below. 3. Send a $10 application fee.
4. Mail to address as soon as possible.
Mail To:
Model Scouts USA
P.O. Box 770881
New Orleans, LA 70177
2004 Model Scouts USA Competition
Applications must be received by 08/20/04
10 Models will win and receive National Exposure and a
$1,000 Gift Certificate.
Winners will be notified by mail and telephone on 09/04/04"
Then you fill in all the stats on yourself, height, weight, hair color etc... And send it in with $10 to their P.O. Box, right? I THINK NOT! I've never seen such a blatant red flag go up, and I'm really normally a trusting person.
So are there really winners? I can not say for sure, maybe there are and maybe there aren't. But let's say it's legit and there ARE winners... Even so, what kind of competition just asks you to send $10 to apply and has NO LISTING OF THE RULES ANYWHERE??? I have never seen any contest that doesn't have an in-depth listing of rules, regulations, disclaimers and on and on and on.
Most contests are VERY specific about where, when, how etc. The prizes will be given, who is and is not elegable for the prizes, the dates of any events pertaining to the contest and so on. What's the gift certificate to? Don't they have sponsers? What is the "National Exposure"? You shouldn't have to ASK these questions - there should be a listing of rules. But their web site is "under construction" could they SOUND any more suspicious?
No street address, no phone number... Nothing but a P.O. Box to collect checks in.
I would strongly suggest that no one send any money in to Model Scouts USA, unless you want to take a chance, because there's only a small possibility that they are legit. It just looks highly suspicious to me.
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