AdKids ripoff child model management scam deceptive misleading ripoff sales tactics New York New York

I once fell victim to a modeling scam with Active Male Models / Models Today, owned by a convicted felon (which I recently found out) named Russell Claxon.  Someone who owns and operates a male modeling agency and who has been convicted of promotion of [male] prostitution, theft by deceit, and criminal possession of forged instruments ...... is allowed to operate a modeling agency where he deals with the representation of people's bodies!  Unbelievable.  Even after a judge says she thinks he's running a scam.  What does he do?  Closes up shop and re-emerges under a new name, and tries as hard as he can to keep his name from being connected to it.  Always check with the secretary of state to see who owns the business, and remember:  "Good Standing" with the secretary of state means ONLY that the fees have been paid. It isn't a statement of credibility.

Rule #1: Never sign a contract unless it's on your terms and only your terms -- if they want you, they can wait.

Rule #2: A modeling agency earns money from commissions ONLY.

Rule #3: Check with the Better Business Bureau before doing business.

Rule #4: Check with your state's secretary of state to see who actually owns the agency, and follow up on their background.

I wish I had done all of these things. :(

But yes, it can get much worse. And I'm so sorry to hear that this happened to you, but please share my story with anyone who might be approached by a "modeling agency" in the future:

http://activemalemodelsexperience.blogspot.com

You know what is so funny about this? The Dallas location of AdKids is in the same building as Access World Talent, which is a widely known scam company. I didn't even know anyhting about AWT, and they hired me to be a "talent scout". Seriously? I had no experience except law enforcement and they kept saying how great I was and how much money I would make.

They are a huge scam. They told me to just go up to anyone and get their info. If they sign up I get a bonus. Out of 30 people my first day, all but 1 signed up. That night, they wanted me to go back out and "scout". I had a three month old baby. Jane Patrick, who claims to be a model (only if it were for a PETA Save the Whales campaign), told me to take my son with me at 1am!!! Then I looked into them and say they are a HUGE scam. They never paid me one penny, but I kept all the contacts numbers and called them that nuight to cancel all their checks and everything.

I went to the Adkids location in Dallas and met with Don Joseph. He was very nice to us and got us signed up w/his agency.  We paid him the 495 fee required.  That evening I was talking to my father in law and he suggested that any agency that requires money from me to represent my son is probably a scam.  I got nervous about the decision I made earlier and decided to exercise my right to cancel the contract. (I had 3 day to cancel and get a refund.)  I went to the office and Don was not there yet.  I waited a few minutes and still not there.  I was concerned that because these were executive offices meaning each of those offices are individually lease by different companies, that I was being scammed which made me even more nervous.  I drafted a letter that basically said that I am exercising my right to cancel the contract within the 3 day period and sent it OVERNIGHT (due to the short time frame) to their Dallas office and the NY office.  The next day I got a call from someone @ their corp office in Chicago saying they received my letter and that they will honor my request to refund my money.   (This was on a Tuesday)  I had to wait til the following Monday when the accountant came in.  I check my bank account every day and still no money.   I made some call back into the office (that called me) and 17 days later my refund was back in  my bank account.   Just wanted to let you all know about this particular incident so that you know that my dealings with them were not bad.  They even told me that I shouldn't believe what I read on the internet and that if I change my mind and want them to represent my son that I could always resubmit my request  and pay my fee again.  

I just wanted you guys to hear a positive experience I had with this company so that you can make an informed decision when dealing with them.

I went to the Adkids location in Dallas and met with Don Joseph. He was very nice to us and got us signed up w/his agency.  We paid him the 495 fee required.  That evening I was talking to my father in law and he suggested that any agency that requires money from me to represent my son is probably a scam.  I got nervous about the decision I made earlier and decided to exercise my right to cancel the contract. (I had 3 day to cancel and get a refund.)  I went to the office and Don was not there yet.  I waited a few minutes and still not there.  I was concerned that because these were executive offices meaning each of those offices are individually lease by different companies, that I was being scammed which made me even more nervous.  I drafted a letter that basically said that I am exercising my right to cancel the contract within the 3 day period and sent it to their Dallas office and the NY office.  The next day I got a call from someone @ their corp office in Chicago saying they recieved my letter and that they will honor my request to refund my money.   (This was on a Tuesday)  I had to wait til the following Monday when the accountant came in.  I check my bank account every day and still no money.   I made some call back into the office (that called me) and 17 days later my refund was back in  my bank account.   Just wanted to let you all know about this particular incident so that you know that my dealings with them were not bad.  They even told me that I shouldn't believe what I read on the internet and that if I change my mind and want them to represent my son that I could always resubmit my request  and pay my fee again.  

I just wanted you guys to hear a positive experience I had with this company so that you can make an informed decision when dealing with them.