www.m0del.co.uk

[na5ima]

Hello All,
I applied for my son to join the modelling agency m0del (the O isn't a letter it's number zero) and he got selected. He his 5 month and 3 weeks.

I know I should of done the research beforehand however I can't find much info on the agency now and to find info is from the website only. Has anyone come across this website. I applied through Facebook.

Let me know
Thanks
Nas

Thanks everyone for your help. Do you think hey can add charges and take me to court etc for the outstanding amount?
Don't think I will see my £100 back but I really don't want to make any more payments
Thanks

Jojo, have you received the photos from the agency and how long has it been since you have signed the contract?

Clive has mentioned there is a cooling off period where you can cancel no question and if you haven't received the photos the contract is void because the agency have not adhered to the terms. If either is correct you stand a good change of getting your money returned and you can legitimately cancel your contract, although the agency will still probably object.

Hi
They gave me the cd the same day. It was the 5th of Jan I went. They were so pushy with me, I stupidly went in my own with my daughter. Hey kept saying she will get loads of work etc.
They had my card details for the first payment of £100 I made that day. I also signed for £250 to be taken on 28th Jan and Feb. After easing this and knowing something was wrong when I left I cancelled my card. Then I received the above letter. Really scared I don't want legal action taken against me but I know they have done wrong. Really don't know what to do. I would ignore all letters but scared of debt collectors and court proceedings
Thanks for your help

Jojo, as the 14 day cooling period has expired I suggest you contact CAB as soon as you possibly can and take the letter and contract with you. Explain to them that you felt coerced and pressured into signing the agreement, this is evidenced by your actions of cancelling your card almost immediately after leaving the photo shoot.

Some CAB advisers will contact agencies/companies on your behalf and some CABs have duty or trainee solicitors available.

Log everything letters/telephone calls/emails/ if it does go to court you will require this evidence. You need to try and return the CD to the agency if you can, stating the reasons why you are returning it and make sure you have a copy and it is recorded delivery.

In all the agency scams I have investigated - nearly 20 years... Not one victim has been visited by any debt collectors. It is a scare tactic, designed just to frighten you!

I helped one victim by actually going to court with him. Of course we won. Others have taken their own court action, with a little help from me, on how to do it. Most of the tricksters I investigate never turn up in court. They know they stand no chance of winning. The Small Claims Court, is very simple and the costs are very reasonable... I am willing to help with paperwork :)

I helped other victims of this particular scam, by taking about 12 cases up with the debt collection/purchase company. I even met with their Managing Director. He agreed partial refunds - for all the cases I brought to him. A result!

To read the Daily Mirror article on the court case, click on this link: <a class="break-all" href="http://web.archive.org/web/20120831110140/blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2012/07/la-mode-model-scam-rumbled.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">web.archive.org/web/20120831110140/blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2012/07/la-mode-model-scam-rumbled.html

And another victim of this scam - I helped to get them on the BBC 1 Show.

Click:

There is nothing to fear... Except... Fear itself!

Can I repost what you put to our Facebook page and the group? There are so many people that have joined that have been scammed by not only M0del but all the other ones too.
The government has failed to put in place a law about modelling agencies referring these people to photographer studios, thus making the law made in Oct pointless.
These scammers use a separate company (on paper at least!) to charge the extorniate portfolio prices by acting as photography studio.
James Wilson owns both the names for Blackberry Models and M0del and unfortunately for him, before he made his details private someone had already taken a screenshot of it all, including address.

Could you join our Facebook group and repost there?
It's Parents of Child Models UK
We have a group as well as page but it's the one with over 900 members X

Hi! Went yesterday with my daughter and stupidly paid 599 for pictures taken. I have used credit card. What should I do as clearly just discovered it was a scam. They told me that I should received a contract within 24 hours.

Has anyone else received a letter from them stating there will be action is they don't pay the outstanding balance? If so what happens? I am tempted to ignore all letters from them.

Leszo - call the credit card company and see what they can do. There's been people on the Facebook get their money back this way x

Milkybutton, you are right on the money with 'referral' process they are now using. It seems they have found a loophole to exhort money.
When I declined to pay the costs I was told that I would still have the contract from the agency, which would be emailed to me within 48 hours- I haven't had it yet. I will let you know.

Thanks milkybuttons. I Will ring them and let you know about the outcome.

Just asked to join the Facebook page that's been set up. Hopefully someone could answer a few more questions for me. Horrible knowing what these people are doing!!

I've received the following response from [email protected]:

Morning
Sorry for the late reply we have been matching your queries to the

same queries written on line.
I shall email latest 10 am Monday morning.
Regards
Chrissy

Hmmmm

Was that cut and pasted from the actual email? It does not seem a professional response from a Manager

H0dgy, yes it was cut and pasted. That is the email in it's entirety.

Absolutely shocking!

Got another email from them, damn they keep some weird business hours!

Now they are claiming they can't find our surname on their system.

Good morning Chrissy....

Chrissy isn't a happy bunny...

From:[email protected]
Today at 7:11 AM

To: xxxxxxx

Message body
HI

Excuse me I was looking for a baby due to the fact you are writing on
mums net. I assumed only parents of babies used that horrid website.

Due to the fact you feel it necessary to write on such forums we are
going to decline your child,s application.
This decision will not be reversed so please refrain from requesting
other wise.

Regards

Chrissy

Thanks Chrissy, you've confirmed without a doubt in my mind that it is all a scam.

Hi ladies & Chrissy.

I haven't used this company but I just wanted to say when I had an issue with a company a year ago (paid for goods upfront that I didn't receive) the trading standards were amazing for me. I'd highly recommend seeking their advice as they will get involved on a one off case or many. Good luck!

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/

Oooh Oooh I received my 'arrears' letter today......Hmmm, they didn't even sign it with who it was from!
Nice threatening letter saying if I didn't pay up then legal action was going to be taken against me.....best I get in line then! Funny coz I cancelled the 'contract' which I didn't sign and send back within the legal 14 days cooling off period!!
Another one for the pile to give to Trading Standards.

You also may want to consider reporting to rogue traders so that more parents are aware of this scam

ssl.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03bhwv8/contact

Thanks Inwaiting, very helpful links.

Morning "Chrissy". Yes, she's (if it is a she, and not James Wilson) watching us. She's now claiming that my daughter lied about her age, and she also seems shocked that anyone other than a mother of a baby posts on Mumsnet. My dear "Chrissy", I only joined Mumsnet because of your agency! She also seems to think that I should be upset that the agency has now reversed it's decision and rejected my daughter's application!

And apparently I'm the unprofessional one. Here's an emoji just for you Chrissy!

Interesting that the owner/founder of Gingersnap models is also called Wilson....Clare Wilson. You put in M0del Agency into Google and Gingersnap pops up.