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Scam guideFTC sourcesFree, always

Legit agencies never charge you to apply

Paying to get a job is always a sign of a scam. Here is how the scams work, how to check an agency before you reply, and where to report one.

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Scam check

Legit agencies never charge you to apply.

We are not an agency, we never submit for you, and we take no money from agencies, photographers or schools. Walk away if you see any of these.

  1. They ask you to pay first

    Real agencies earn a commission after the client pays you. The FTC: “Real modeling agencies won't ask you to pay for a test shoot, for your photographs, or to ‘secure your spot’.” Paying to get a job is always a sign of a scam.

    Source: consumer.ftc.gov, consumer.ftc.gov

  2. You must use their photographer or buy a photo package

    A required in-house photographer is an FTC warning sign. In California, talent services can't make you pay for photos, videos, reels or websites as a condition of working with them. Phone digitals in daylight are what agencies ask for.

    Source: consumer.ftc.gov, leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

  3. Classes, “modeling schools” or screen tests sold as the way in

    FTC cases describe street approaches that led to classes and photos costing hundreds to over a thousand dollars, with graduates who “seldom receive any paid employment”, and $45 screen tests followed by $495–$795 photo packages.

    Source: ftc.gov, ftc.gov

  4. Pay-to-attend conventions and showcases

    We found no FTC or state page aimed at conventions specifically, so treat this as general advice: don't pay to “secure your spot”, and be wary of any event that sells you access to agents.

    Source: consumer.ftc.gov

  5. Unsolicited DMs, impersonators, or requests for lingerie or nude photos

    Scammers text invitations to virtual “auditions” that turn into sales pitches. Many agencies publish their official email domains and say they never ask for nude or lingerie photos or payment. Verify any contact by calling the number on the agency's own site.

    Source: consumer.ftc.gov, consumer.ftc.gov

  6. Promised work, pressure to sign on the spot, or odd payment methods

    Promised jobs or earnings, pressure to sign or pay today, payment by gift card, wire transfer, crypto or cash, and no client list you can check are all on the FTC's list.

    Source: consumer.ftc.gov

Report fraud to the FTCForward scam texts to 7726 (FTC alert)FTC guide to modeling scams

In the UK, fees may be legal under specific conditions; check before paying. UK regulations

01Before you reply

How to verify an agency

  1. 01Find the agency's official site yourself; don't use a link from the message.
  2. 02Compare the sender's email domain with the one on the official site.
  3. 03Call the number listed on the official site and ask whether the person works there.
  4. 04Apply only through the official application page. Every agency in our directory links to it directly.
  5. 05Never send money, ID documents, or swimwear, lingerie or nude photos to anyone who contacts you first.

The verified agency directory

02Rules that protect models

What the law says

  • New York's Fashion Workers Act: no fee to sign, commission capped at 20%, contracts of 3 years at most, and a deal memo before each job.[24]
  • California bars advance-fee talent representation, and bars talent services from requiring you to pay for photos, reels or websites.[40][41]
  • In 1999 the FTC acted against firms that sold classes and photos for several hundred to over a thousand dollars; graduates seldom got paid work.[37]
  • The FTC also stopped "Screen Test U.S.A.", which charged for screen tests and then $495–$795 photo packages.[38]
  • In December 2025 the FTC warned about virtual casting calls sent by text that turn into sales pitches.[35]

In the UK, fees may be legal under specific conditions; check before paying. UK regulations

Why we're telling you this

We sell optional paid plans, so we want the difference to be obvious. We are not an agency, we never submit for you, we take no money from agencies, photographers or schools, and nothing you would send to an agency costs anything here. Paying us does not change what any agency decides.

03Report it

Where to report a scam

Questions

Asked, answered.

Do real modeling agencies charge money?
Not to apply, and not to sign you. The FTC says real agencies won't ask you to pay for a test shoot, for your photographs or to secure your spot; they are paid a commission after the client pays you.
Do I need professional photos to apply?
No. Agencies ask for plain digitals: phone photos in daylight, no makeup, no filters. Being told you must buy a photo package from their photographer is an FTC warning sign.
An agency messaged me on Instagram. Is it real?
Check before you reply. Find the agency's official site yourself, compare the email domain, and call the number listed there. Many agencies publish impersonation warnings and say they never ask for payment or for nude or lingerie photos.

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