A talent or modeling agency on Facebook wants a fee. Is it a scam?
Usually, yes. A real agency earns when you work, not when you register; a "portfolio", "registration" or "workshop" fee by GCash to a Facebook page is the product being sold. Be extra careful if the message came to you out of nowhere praising your photos.
The approach flatters: "we saw your photos, you have the look". The offer is a shoot, a commercial, a brand deal. The fee is small and "refundable". Some of these pages also collect photos and IDs for other scams.
How to check
- Search the agency name with "scam" and look for real talents who credit it.
- Ask for the agency's business registration and a physical office you can visit.
- Do not pay a fee to be represented. Do not send ID photos.
- Be careful with "shoots" at private addresses; bring someone and meet in public first.
- Check the page's number and messages: the praise lines are copied to many people.
Frequently asked questions
- They offered a free shoot but want a "photographer fee" of a few hundred pesos. Okay?
- No. A free shoot that costs money is not free. The small amount is the point.
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