Forums > Model Colloquy > okay now i'm worried. help!

Model

Priscilla Ramos

Posts: 15

Tampa, Florida, US

Earlier in the week I received a message from a MMer offering me a paid editorial shoot. SOUNDS SO LEGIT TO ME but some areas seem REALLY shady!!!! But I don't know......

"Company" name is Lifetime Photography Inc. Which I've searched on the internet and can't find.
Shoot is a couple hundred dollars to show off a line of handbags, wallets, and purses.

The person emailing me, looked up his name as a photographer and did not find it anywhere.

I just don't know, it seems legit and shady at the same time

Has anyone been offered the same thing and now what I'm talking about?

Feb 18 15 04:01 pm Link

Photographer

Leonard Gee Photography

Posts: 18096

Sacramento, California, US

Priscilla Ramos wrote:
I just don't know, it seems legit and shady at the same time

yes

if they offer to pay money in advance
if they send check by fedex
if they send too much and ask you to pay from the check to another
if they tell you not to use this site and only reply by e-mail
if they tell you they will allow for your "escort" to come with you
if the mm account is suddenly gone

please read this:
https://www.modelmayhem.com/forums/post/575330

Priscilla Ramos wrote:
And the MM account that initially sent the message has been disabled.

because the scammer profile was removed

do not post in multiple forms
https://www.modelmayhem.com/forums/post/941082/1#last

Feb 18 15 04:20 pm Link

Photographer

J O H N A L L A N

Posts: 12221

Los Angeles, California, US

Well, $200 doesn't sound out of order for that use. You could ask the photographer for references and where (outside of MM) you can see some of his work.

A lot of photographers use made up names on MM - doesn't mean they're a scam - you could contact a mod also.

Feb 18 15 04:24 pm Link

Photographer

DougBPhoto

Posts: 39248

Portland, Oregon, US

Priscilla Ramos wrote:
Earlier in the week I received a message from a MMer offering me a paid editorial shoot. SOUNDS SO LEGIT TO ME but some areas seem REALLY shady!!!! But I don't know......

"Company" name is Lifetime Photography Inc. Which I've searched on the internet and can't find.
Shoot is a couple hundred dollars to show off a line of handbags, wallets, and purses.

The person emailing me, looked up his name as a photographer and did not find it anywhere.

I just don't know, it seems legit and shady at the same time

Has anyone been offered the same thing and now what I'm talking about?

Okay, now I'm worried, help!!

What are you worried about?

No, I don't know what you are talking about.    What you are describing could be a scam, or it could be real.

Are you assuming other people on this site are going to know the precise person you're asking about to advise you?

Ideally, folks on this site can read about scams and figure this sort of thing out for themselves.

It sounds like you think it is too good to be true, which probably means it is.

Without more info from you, people can only guess.

From what you posted, aside from the account being closed now, what appeared shady to you earlier?

Now, I've seen that you've said the account is closed, so that suggests that it is a scam.

PS:  If you're so unsure about an offer that you need to start a thread asking if it is real, it probably isn't.   Did they ask you to do anything with money orders?

Feb 18 15 04:31 pm Link

Photographer

Light and Lens Studio

Posts: 3450

Sisters, Oregon, US

If the individual contacted you by Message on MM, you would have his name or the name of his business that he or she uses on MM.  It may or may not be listed in the local phone book. 

The pay offered doesn't seem excessive.  If it's a local photographer to you, and you get good references from other models that have worked with him/her, you are probably ok.  You could ask for a pre-shoot meeting in a public place to make sure your "creep detectors" don't fire off before you appear at his/her place.   

If the photographer is evasive about answering questions or divulging basic, non-threatening questions, then you might have reason to be skeptical of motives/intentions.

Feb 18 15 04:38 pm Link

Model

Priscilla Ramos

Posts: 15

Tampa, Florida, US

He did say the $450 check was going to be sent out tomorrow via FedEx

And I'm sorry for posting on two different forums

Feb 18 15 04:49 pm Link

Model

Priscilla Ramos

Posts: 15

Tampa, Florida, US

He did say the $450 check was going to be sent out tomorrow via FedEx

And I'm sorry for posting on two different forums

Feb 18 15 04:51 pm Link

Photographer

g2-new photographics

Posts: 2048

Boston, Massachusetts, US

Let us know if he (or she) asks you to cash the check, keep part of the money, and send the rest to him or her.

smile

Feb 18 15 04:57 pm Link

Photographer

Loki Studio

Posts: 3523

Royal Oak, Michigan, US

You have nothing to worry about if you don't cash the check.  There is a 99.9% chance that any advance check from a MM contact is fake and a scam.   You can hold on to it until the guy contacts you again and you can get get 3 references from models he worked with and not cash the check until the shoot is done and verified legit.  At anytime you can simply destroy the check and be safe and done with it.   If the check is by chance from a local bank, you can also take it to them and ask the branch manager to verify that it is real in an effort to reduce fraud. 

Under no circumstance fall to the pressure or scare tactics of depositing the check to send money to anybody else. No real company will every pay you extra to pay somebody else for any reason.

Feb 18 15 05:00 pm Link

Photographer

DougBPhoto

Posts: 39248

Portland, Oregon, US

Priscilla Ramos wrote:
He did say the $450 check was going to be sent out tomorrow via FedEx

And I'm sorry for posting on two different forums

The check will be counterfeit.   

You may not be able to tell, but if you deposit it, the check will be returned.

If that check is real, I'll eat a raw oyster.... in other words... it is a FAKE

Whatever you do, do not cash it or deposit it, and absolutely don't send any money to another person.

Feb 18 15 06:40 pm Link

Photographer

Patrick Walberg

Posts: 45206

San Juan Bautista, California, US

Priscilla Ramos wrote:
He did say the $450 check was going to be sent out tomorrow via FedEx

And I'm sorry for posting on two different forums

Scam.


I have no doubt that it is a scam, and that the next thing you will be asked is to cash the check. 
The check will be fraudulent.  Don't cash it, or else you may be held liable for it.

Feb 18 15 11:43 pm Link

Photographer

HalfMoonColorado

Posts: 797

Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, US

It used to be the bank would be responsible for fake checks but not anymore. They'll take a check written on a cocktail napkin and then two weeks later tell you it was bad and you are resonsible for the shortage. Personally I would take a personal check if the bank is local over a Cashier's Check. At least then I can go directly to their bank and cash it even if their bank charges me a small fee.

Feb 19 15 08:29 am Link

Photographer

Mr HOGs Poetry

Posts: 176

Weaverville, North Carolina, US

New model, on Model Mayhem, no agency, being personally sent a check in advance, by someone she's never met, for work to be performed at a later date.


That's enough information to confidently bet scam.


OP, you're right to be suspicious. Just ask yourself: why would anyone mail advance payment to an unknown for a casual gig instead of paying them at the gig, if payment were involved?

Feb 19 15 10:22 am Link

Photographer

Michael Bots

Posts: 8020

Kingston, Ontario, Canada

A couple hundred bucks is the right pay range for commercial use like this

BUT

Sending a check in advance is unusual and raises red flags - any request to send money elsewhere (fix overpayment error for example) guarantees it's a scam.  On the other hand - if the check is the right amount it could be legit and you could do the gig, and   tell you bank to hold funds on it for 2 weeks or so until they know it's not fake.


see      Fake Checks
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0159-fake-checks

"The bottom line is that until the bank confirms that the funds from the check have been deposited into your account, you are responsible for any funds you withdraw against that check."

Feb 21 15 09:50 pm Link

Photographer

Kev Lawson

Posts: 11294

Las Vegas, Nevada, US

Moderator Note!
Lifetime Photography solicitations of new models is a scam.

Please see this video and read the article.
Avoiding scams: The basics
https://www.modelmayhem.com/education/m … the-basics

Please contact us with a link to the profile if you have not already done so.

Feb 22 15 12:02 am Link

Photographer

Mark Salo

Posts: 11732

Olney, Maryland, US

Priscilla Ramos wrote:
And the MM account that initially sent the message has been disabled.

Priscilla Ramos wrote:
He did say the $450 check was going to be sent out tomorrow via FedEx

Yup, scam!

Feb 22 15 01:24 pm Link