Elle Model Management
To Whom It May Concern:
About a year a half to two years ago, I had a contract
with Elle Model Management in Beverly
Hills, CA.
I first started at John Robert Powers, but they asked
for too much money, so I rejected their offer.
Then I got a call about less than a month later from
Elle Models, and they said I was referred to them from
John Robert Powers.
When I went into Elle Models' office, everything seemed
to be going well.
I signed a six-month contract with them, and took pictures
for modeling cards. They asked us to pay about $900 to
$1,000 total.
Then in about less than three months we received a call
from another agency saying that Elle Models closed down
and sold them all their clients' phone numbers.
We didn't get an email, letter, or phone call from Elle
Models —they just closed and took our money.
I also had a friend who went through the exact same
routine as I did.
After that I didn't sign with anyone else.
At that time I didn't know what to do, and I thought
that my chances were over.
Then I came online, and now I find out about your online
site, and now I'm asking:
Is there anything that I can do or is it too late?
C.A.
C.,
John Robert Powers selling your name would make sense.
If they can't make any money from you, they can make
money from selling your name? Was that done without your
permission?
Your problems started with John Roberts Powers. If John
Robert Powers had not sold your name to Elle Models,
you would not have been ripped off by Elle Models. John
Robert Powers is partly to blame for your loss of $1,000.
Write to John Robert Powers and ask them to compensate
you for the money you lost when they sold your name to
a bogus modeling agency.
The BBB record for Elle Model Management includes the
name of the principal of the company which ripped off
you and your friend and who knows who else.
Call the police and see if they can run his/her name
through the computer so you can sue the scam artist in
a Small Claims Court.
Unless there is a statute of limitations which has expired.
You will have to check with the police or the right people
in California to find out all your options.
The BBB in California has a possible contact address,
or they should know what you can do or whom to contact
to find out for sure.
Business Bureau of the Southland
315 N. La Cadena
Colton, CA, 92324
(909) 825-7280
The BBB record for Elle Model Management:
- Mail sent to this company was returned by the post
office as "moved; left no forward address," "forward
order has expired," or "unable to locate." The
Bureau cannot trace addresses of companies or principals.
-
- [What about the police?]
-
- General information is available upon request which
may assist you.
-
- [Ask what information they have available.]
-
- We rate this company as having an unsatisfactory
business performance record based on a pattern of unanswered
complaints alleging the company fails to provide promised
services, and poor quality photos.
- [This sounds typical of a scam modeling agency.]
-
- The company has advised the Bureau they require no
advance fees for services. However, customers have
reported the company does require an advance fee ranging
from $500-$750.
-
- [Scam artists trying to trick the BBB!? It does happen.]
-
- A 15% commission is then deducted from model earnings
as payment for services provided.
-
- The company responded to one complaint by advising
a job had been procured for the client. All other complaints
are unanswered.
-
- We believe this company acts as an agency and would
be required to obtain a talent agency license.
-
- According to the Department of Industrial Relations,
as of 2/2/2001, this company has not complied with
state licensing requirements.
-
- [Who is surprised?]
-
- For more information, visit their website at www.dir.ca.gov
or call (415) 703-4846.
A quick review of your experience and the BBB record
makes it look as if Elle Model Management was a typical
modeling photography scam. They take your pictures and
take your money but they don't make you money.
It is difficult to believe the laws of California would
allow an individual to get off the hook simply by shutting
down a modeling agency after taking people's money. Find
out how the police track down criminals.
To add insult to injury, Elle Model Management sold
your name to another agency on the way out!?
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