It’s human nature to feel disappointed, frustrated and angry when we’ve been scammed. Regrettably, there are far more scams around than we think, because many people aren’t aware they’ve been victims when it happens in the first place. Plenty of media platforms report clever scams and deceptions that specifically target unknowing or vulnerable individuals; we […]
Published 17th August 2026
It’s human nature to feel disappointed, frustrated and angry when we’ve been scammed. Regrettably, there are far more scams around than we think, because many people aren’t aware they’ve been victims when it happens in the first place. Plenty of media platforms report clever scams and deceptions that specifically target unknowing or vulnerable individuals; we can only hope that we don’t fall foul of these cowardly scams, and that people who do are finally compensated – and the culprits dealt with in the appropriate manner.
“Scam” is such a hideous word. It implies intentional money-making from dishonesty. And a lot of the time money is involved, so that makes it, in a general sense, theft.
We’re sad to say that a small minority of modelling agencies can be classed as scams – or at least they pretend to be something they’re not in the hope that people will give them money only to be never given the chance of being offered work. Some of these agencies are modelling agencies, so how can you be confident of avoiding the ones that promise the Earth but can never deliver?
1. Rely on your instincts. If you think something is amiss, it usually is.
2. Research thoroughly the agency’s history. If they’re relatively newcomers, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not professional. However, if an agency has been placing models with reputable clients for years, then their reputation probably speaks for itself.
3. Very important: check if the agency is a modelling employment agency, or just a “showcase agency”. There’s a key difference. The former will by law allow models to work with their brands, the latter may charge models for taking their photos with little or zero chance of the agency finding their work. Any authentic modelling employment agency will actively try to find their models work, and usually do not charge models for photos – we certainly do not.
4. Check an agency’s contact details. Do they have genuine addresses and staff on-hand to answer calls, or are they just a website? Go with your gut if you’re not sure, and keep in touch with them when you register.
5. Read reviews. Yes, some reviews are written by disgruntled models who haven’t been chosen by clients, but that’s the nature of the industry. It’s competitive. However, registered models are in the very best place to be seen by clients, so please be patient.
6. Check an agency’s clients. Are they genuine or shamelessly bogus?
We hope these points will help any prospective model not to fall foul of the few dishonest agencies out there – whether they’re modelling agencies or otherwise.