Joey Lawrence, Star Search Casting, Hollywood Profiles, US Casting Society ON LINE CASTING SCAM-FAKE CASTING CALLS! SCAM-SCAM-SCAM Manhattan New York

Unfortunately, while sites such as this one exist to help protect consumers from frauds and scams, anybody can use these sites to post completely false information against their competitors. Such is exactly what has happened here with all the negative reports against Star Search Casting. This complaint has been traced back to the same person who used various names (Linda in Beverly Hills, Linda in Boston, Shirley in on Los Angeles, Claude in Boston, Britni in L.A., Britni in NY, Britni in Buena Park, etc.) in an effort to make his story believable. This individual was a competitor of Star Search Casting at one time. His websites have since been taken down, and last Friday, May 15, 2009, he was indicted by the Los Angeles District Attorney on five counts of fraud. (He was also convicted in 2002 of 10 counts of false advertising). For information on his indictment last week, see this report on CBS news:

http://cbs2.com/local/Carl.Carranza.talent.2.1011153.html

This is a report from KTLA TV in Los Angeles about him: http://www.ktla.com/news/local/ktla-talent-agency-charged,0,7477158.story

Here is a video from KTLA-TV in Los Angeles about his company: http://www.ktla.com/news/extras/ktla-talent-company-charged,0,3748606.worldnowvideo

So in cases like this one -- where a person tries to do everything he can to ruin the reputation of a reputable company like Star Search Casting how do you tell who's telling the truth and who's lying? Well, it's really not very hard to do.
The best way I know of quickly and easily discovering the real truth is to go to a completely unbiased third-party source for more information. And there's no better source than the Better Business Bureau who has been in business since 1912 protecting the American public from fraudulent business practices. Did you know that when law enforcement is investigating a company, one of the first things they do is get their BBB file? That's because the BBB is the most reliable and unbiased organization in this country that tracks businesses.

One thing most people don't know is that it not easy to even becomes a member of the BBB -- the requirements are extremely stringent and many businesses fail the test. As a matter of fact, Star Search Casting is, to our knowledge, the only online casting site of its kind that has gone through the rigorous scrutiny necessary to become a member in good standing with the BBB.

The BBB in it's thoroughness of assessing businesses gives every company a rating from A+ to F. There's only one way you can get the highly enviable A+ rating from the BBB, and that is by adhering to the highest standards of customer satisfaction and having no customer complaints! So what is Star Search Casting's BBB rating?? The highest you can get: A+! (In contrast, our former competitor who wrote the false complaints against us received a rating of F!) Click on the BBB website to check for yourself:
http://www.la.bbb.org/BusinessReport.aspx?CompanyID=44000311

You can also tell this fake complaint is written by our former competitor because he always says we are associated with Hollywood Profiles, Joey Lawrence, and US Casting Society which we are not. Somehow he got this wrong information stuck in his head and now adds it to many of the fake complaints he posts all over the place. But this is also a good way to tell it is actually a fake complaint using fake names to try to bash our good reputation.

So here's the reality of the situation: in a business that has over 400 online direct competitors, you've got the most ethical company with the indisputably best customer service (not to mention the best track record for helping people get work in the entertainment industry) being viciously attacked by an unethical competitor who has been convicted of false advertising, indicted for criminal fraud and would like to see Star Search Casting out of business because of our success!

I'm not going to bother to address every specific accusation made against SSC by our now-defunct competitor, not only because our record speaks for itself, but because most of these lies -- such as our casting calls being fake -- are very easy to check out. Just go to our site, click on a few of the hundreds of casting notices, and find out for yourself: http://Auditions.StarSearchCasting.com

In an online world where it's all too easy for people to set up scams that are quick to take your money but don't offer any legitimate service or product, it's very easy to get ripped off. This is true, unfortunately, of online casting companies where dozens of copy-cat, want-a-be companies pop up each month trying to compete with established, tried and true companies like Star Search Casting that have been in business for many years and have thousands of casting directors and entertainment professional who frequently come to the site in search of new talent. We have a great deal of experience in this industry and for that reason caution people to BEWARE, ask questions, and thoroughly check out any casting site before they join. For further information on how to do this and what questions to ask, go here: http://starsearchcasting.com/html/before_you_join.php

We encourage you to check us out at: http://StarSearchCasting.com. Check our BBB standing and rating: https://www.bbb.org/online/consumer/cks.aspx?ID=1050419191358. Check our track record of success. Check our site to see how many people have been contacted by casting directors and entertainment professionals in the last week, month and year. Read some of the unsolicited success stories and testimonials from almost a thousand people on our site, and compare this to any other site in the casting business. Notice our certifications from TRUSTe, McAfee Secure, PayPal, Godaddy and BuySafe, and then check the competition's certifications. Also notice that anybody can join Star Search Casting for free. Unlike most other sites, we personally answer all our customer emails, so if you have a question, please contact us anytime.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Parker,
Founder, StarSearchCasting.com

This company is the best. You guys are upset that your ugly a*s kids didn't make it. My kid has been on several commercials and a few kids shows. It's so sad how parents get all butt hurt cause their kids aren't cute. Maybe they need to take a look at themselves.


P.s. I have cute kids and we're doing GREAT!

:P

The company is now listing with Cragslist as (at least in Phoenix) "Impersonators Wanted," with a web site of www.HollywoodExtras.info.

As a professional actor all I can say is this; never, ever, ever, ever pay someone to represent you. People who represent you are paid either by fees (as casting directors, hopefully with a CSA membership) or comission from your pay (as talent or modeling agents). If you have to pay someone up front to represent you, put you on the web site, take only their classes BEFORE they represent you, use only their photographers, and so forth, then that person's motivation to get you good paying work is zero. They're already paid. That's why these are practices that the union, SAG, will not allow in their shops.

Yes, you'll have to take classes (and there are good classes even from some of the casting directors), get experience (think community theater!), get some photos, and in a right-to-work state like Arizona take a cruddy job for little pay and a buy-out, but know what you want before you dive in to it. You're not going to be getting an Oscar from some role you picked up in Podunk, but you might get to be in a commercial or a featured extra in a movie or TV show passing through.

Now, I do know plenty of people who've gotten "work" through these "agencies" like the one Joey Lawrence is hawking here. If you're willing to pay to be on TV or in a movie, why not find a charity auction for a "walk on" role? At least then you know you're money's going somewhere worthwhile. Otherwise, you're getting maybe $75/day (no lunch no travel no overtime lifetime buyout) to sit under an overpass on Loop 202 so you can be a blur the size of a booger in Kingdom, after paying maybe as much as $1000 to get the role. Seriously.

This is another fake complaint written by convicted criminal and con-artist Carl Carranza who owns Fabulous Flashcast - http://www.fabulousflashcast.com

This guy has been posting fake complaints about Star Search all over the web pretending to be a customer. His fake complaints are easy to spot. This guy doesn't have a lot of brains but he is very good at lying and stealing money from parents.

Carl Carranza will call anyone a scam if they expose him as a scammer. But the facts speak for themselves. If you are in doubt just call Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney Mark Lambert at (213) 978-8070. He has already convicted Carl Carranza on 10 counts of fraud and is building a new case against him now. The more fake complaints Carl Carranza writes the more charges can be brought against him. The hole he is digging just keeps getting deeper.

I contacted http://www.fabulousflashcast.com after I saw their casting call posted on another site. Then I started doing some digging and found a lot of bad information about them. They used to have a website called http://www.flashcastkids.com but scammed a lot of people so they changed their site to http://www.fabulousflashcast.com. Flashcast still post fake Auditions all over the web on places like craigslist. The Better Business Bureau gives them an 'F' rating which is the lowest possible score. This is what the BBB said about Flashcast:

On December 18, 2001, we were advised by the company that they would no longer respond to the complaints presented by the Bureau.

On July 24, 2001, the Los Angeles City Attorney filed a 14 count misdemeanor action against the company and its principal, Carl Carranza. The complaint alleged in part, that the defendants made misleading statements in print ads, verbally, and on their website.

On May 17, 2002, Flashcast, and its principal, Carl Carranza, were convicted of 10 counts of using false and misleading advertising in violation of the California Business & Professions code. The company and Mr. Carranza were placed on probation for 36 months and ordered to pay a fine of $4,050.00. They were also ordered to include a statement listing any fees charged, including monthly fees, in all of their advertisements. Anyone seeing an ad that does not contain the fee information is asked to contact Mark Lambert, Deputy Los Angeles City Attorney at (213) 978-8070.

This is their address:
Fabulous Flashcast
3575 Cahuenga Blvd West, Suite 120
Universal City, CA 90068
(323) 969-9006

Has anyone else dealt with this company?

Here are some things I found in google:

1. Business Owner Carl Ken Carranza and his Universal City-based company Flashcast were convicted last week on 10 counts of false advertising and could face a total of $60,000 in fees and up to five years of jail time. Sentencing will take place on June 19. To read more go here: http://www.allbusiness.com/services/amusement-recreation-services/4380114-1.html

2. I worked for Flashcast almost ten years ago and I'm shocked by the fact that they are still in business. We were told to lie to potential clients and when they were called back because their child was 'cute' (ALL WERE CALLED BACK!), the head 'Casting Director' would tell the parents that they were auditioning for Huggies, Pampers, and other well-known companies even though they were not. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/093/RipOff0093945.htm#126469

3. Carl Carranza, Flashcast Kids and Flashcast Companies, Inc. has stooped to fraud and deception again. One would have thought Carranza learned his lesson after being convicted on May 17, 2002 of 10 counts of fraud and false and misleading advertising, and was forced to pay thousands in fines (he was also sentenced to three years probation). to read more go to: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/105/RipOff0105343.htm

4. They advertise what looks like an audition in the industry and then they sell what they call their 'computerized casting service.' So you go there, you audition, they don't tell you about a fee. Then if you're called back (everyone gets called back if Carl Carranza thinks he can get money out of them), they tell you at that point that you have to make your decision right then. There's an initial fee of around $495, and you're obligated for the next two years to send them 20 photos, plus a $50-a-month fee. That's $1,200 over two years, plus the initial $500 registration, plus the cost of 20 photos per month. to read more go here: http://www.allbusiness.com/services/amusement-recreation-services/4380693-1.html

5. The case against Flashcast Entertainment is based on a 14-count complaint against owner Carl Ken Carranza and Deborah Elton Haugen charging them of being an unlawful job-listing service as well as falsely advertising in the LA Weekly and on the company's own website, www.flashcastkids.com & www.FabulousFlashcast.com. To read more go here: http://www.easybackgroundcheck.com/news/10.html

6. I recently signed with Flashcast and parted with $1500 in order to do so. These fraudsters need to be stopped! To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/232/RipOff0232900.htm

7. They kept her mighty busy with more compliments and questions and fake interest, to keep her from reading all of their safety net legal stuff and small print. After signing away her life, she was asked for her identification and credit card for "verification purposes". These people will tell you anything to get your money. To read more go here: (((REDACTED BY ROR, THE WEBSITE LISTED HAS COPIED ALL OF RIP-OFF REPORTS AND PUT THEM ON THIER WEBSITE)))

8. On top of paying $1500 and still no modeling jobs not even one, my daughter has worked with other companies and clothing lines where they have never asked for a dime. Carl Carranza and Fabolous Flashcast are total scammers. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/260/RipOff0260231.htm

9. Company works from a very official looking office in LA in not a bad area and goes to every length to convince clients that everything is legit. Suspicion is raised by the mountain of very similar looking referral letters printed in the same font almost and the robotic but convincing sales pitch of two employees. Carl Carranza posts fake success stories all over the web trying to build credibility for himself. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/032/RipOff0032559.htm

10. Hard to believe that Carl Carranza and Fabolous Flashcast / Flashcast Kids are still in business, despite the numerous warnings on the Internet and the convictions for FRAUD. Carl Carranza has mastered the art of lying to your face to get your money. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/090/RipOff0090062.htm

11. When Brad was about 6 months old, we got suckered into a uniquely Los Angeles scam by 'Fabolous Flashcast', where we paid $500 for nothing. To read more go here: http://parentingfrontline.blogspot.com/2008/03/march-madness.html

12. We are recent victims of his fraudulent practice and are filing a case against him. Mr. Carranza's scams include illegal advance fee requests, pretense for being a legitimate practice, and use of hardball sales and emotional tactics to acquire money from intelligent and innocent parents. Carl Carranza and needs to be shut down for good. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/132/RipOff0132815.htm

13. Then, we were asked to meet with the CEO and he was very positive about the kids. He then goes through what the company does and talks quickly about a fee of $1500. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/132/RipOff0132815.htm#156769

14. Flashcast kids company is a total rip off... they will fool you to pay money and then they never respond to you ever again... it happened to me and my family. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/093/RipOff0093344.htm#58066

15. Can you believe this company still going on and on? Ripping off parents like us and using our child as a way of getting their money. Flashcast will steal your money and you get nothing for it. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/093/RipOff0093344.htm

16. Don't pay Fabulous Flashcast - http://www.fabulousflashcast.com anything! They are a complete scam company who posts fake modeling jobs for kids in order to get your money! Just do a check on craigs list and you will find they post the same fake auditions over and over. The owner of Flashcast is Carl Ken Carranza who is a convicted criminal. To read more go here: ((REDACTED))

17. One look at their terrible website and you can tell they are a scam: http://www.fabulousflashcast.com/welcome.html

18. My complaint is against flashcast which is a fraud and scam, this company when you first arrive have you sit in a playroom, where there are pictures of kids that so called modeled for carl caranza. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/260/RipOff0260231.htm

19. Because of the nature of their business, they can say anything they want, and blame their lack of performance and unfulfilled promises on the industry, your child, etc., and hide behind their small print. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/242/RipOff0242913.htm

20. The Fabulous Flashcast scam continues even after CEO Carl Carranza is convicted of fraud. To read more go here: http://www.starsearchcasting.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=137820

21. Flashcast cunningly fools eager parents into believing that their kids might be future stars and commands a large fee upfront. Company is allegedly trying to find modeling work for clients babies and commands a large fee up front. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/032/RipOff0032559.htm

22. I was also scammed. I paid $1500.00 almost a year ago and have only had one casting call that wasn't even for babies! To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/001/RipOff0001927.htm#208336

23. This company is a total rip-off. Yes, something has to be done, to keep other parents from being deceived. They pretend to be a legitimate company but they are far from being a true casting company. 24. I too have been riped off. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/093/RipOff0093945.htm

25. I have been working for Carl Carranza for many years. It is very difficult when we were ordered to give the customer misleading information just to get them to sign the contract. Of course to keep our job we had to do what we had to do. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/093/RipOff0093945.htm#58065

26. I hope you can contact me regarding the jerk Carl Carranza. I will be taking him to small claims court and was wondering if you could be of any assistance to me. Carl has ripped off one too many parents. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/093/RipOff0093945.htm#59860

27. Convicted criminal and CEO of Fabulous Flashcast ( http://www.FabulousFlashcast.com ) Carl Carranza is still scamming hopeful parents who want to get their kids into modeling. To read more go here: http://www.elitecastingnetwork.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99805

28. Carl Carranza and Debra were very nice in all of the pre-contract meetings (even though Carl reminded me of a smarmy car salesman), but once I signed the paper I was like the invisible woman and they would never return my calls. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/105/RipOff0105343.htm#69300

29. Carl Carranza is a crook. He's been convicted of fraud and false advertising, he's violated court orders by weaseling around his responsibility to advertise his prices by using third-party websites to sell his services. He's lied as to how long Flashcast has been in business. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/105/RipOff0105343.htm#69801

30. Flashcast kids company is a total rip off... they will fool you to pay money and then they never respond to you ever again... it happened to me and my family.. and many more parent that still keep going there... so somebody please HELP ME!!! LET'S TAKE ACTION against this company to prevent it from happening to many other parent. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/093/RipOff0093344.htm#58066

31. Late last month, he filed complaints against two Los Angeles County companies, claiming they were illegally doing business in the entertainment industry. One, Flashcast Companies Inc. To read more go here: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m5072/is_33_23/ai_77757924

32. Be careful, they are a serious scam. They have you pay, then stick your kid's file in a drawer doing nothing for the child until you complain. To read more go here: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Careers-Acting-Performing-1479/f_4696878.htm

33. Half of their site is dedicated to telling you that everyone from the Better Business Bureau to Rip-off Report is also a scam. Fabulous Flashcast attacks anyone who reveals their scam. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/346/RipOff0346190.htm

34. Beware of Mr. Carl Carranza's child modeling scam. We are recent victims of his fraudulent practice and are filing a case against him. Mr. Carranza's scams include illegal advance fee requests, pretense for being a legitimate practice, and use of hardball sales and emotional tactics to acquire money from intelligent and innocent parents. To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/132/RipOff0132815.htm

35. The specific things that they say they will do are:(1) help you get an agent for your child (2) help you post your child on a casting website and (3) 'guide' you as a newcomer to the world of baby/kids modeling. My problem with Flashcast is that they barely do those few things for you, if they do anything at all - and for $1500 I expected a lot more. In fact there are many casting sites I can enroll on myself, I can search for my own agent, and I can read the endless information on the web about how to get into the entertainment business all by myself and save $1500! To read more go here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/0/232/RipOff0232900.htm

This is an example of the fake auditions they post all over the web. The first thing that tips you off about this scam is when they say "Stable Parents! Financial stability is a must!". Hmm sounds like they want people who can pay them a lot of money!

Flashcast posts casting calls like this all over the web:

"All Ages, Sizes and Types! w/Fabulous Stable Parents! Financial stability is a must!
Modeling! TV Commercials! Films!
College Tuition!
Established Company, in biz OVER 20 YEARS in Los Angeles w/ impeccable references!
Pls email a regular snapshot ASAP to newfaces@fabulousflashcast.com 24 hours!
For more information on our one of a kind service, please go to www.fabulousflashcast.com
MEETING SELECTED NEW KIDS BY APPT. ONLY!
***FABULOUS FLASHCAST!***
(323) 969-9006...select option 1

Recent Projects the talent agents we work with have submitted on:
OLD NAVY, BABY GAP, OSH KOSH, BABYSTYLE, TARGET, DISNEY, ETC.
Location: Universal City Compensation: $582 (approx.) for SAG work, $125.00 per hour (approx.) for Print Modeling Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster. Please, no phone calls about this job! Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests."

If you have been scammed by Carl Carranza & Fabulous Flashcast you should contact Los Angeles Deputy City Attorney Mark Lambert at (213) 978-8070. He is currently building another case against these scam artists!