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To Whom It May Concern:
I had avoided being scammed by the "Wilhelmina Scouting
Network", but was taken in by "Kids.com." Please
let me know if there is anything I can do to get my money
back.
I was contacted via a letter (which I am sure you are
familiar with) in October of 2003 regarding my then X-month-old
daughter. I was asked to contact Kids.com in their Fairfield,
New Jersey, office.
The letter peaked my curiosity citing facts such as "we
provide children for print advertising... this inquiry
does not place 'Kids.com' under any obligation," etc.
Being that I am familiar with modeling scams, I decided
to do some research.
I found nothing negative regarding this company on the
Better Business Bureau website (New Jersey office), and
I also was taken in by the fact that the letter stated
that my daughter was "brought to their attention."
I assumed that my inlaws or my parents had submitted a
picture of their beautiful granddaughter to some contest,
and that "Kids.com" was a modeling agency that
took note of her. I called and set up an appointment.
I was required to bring my husband to the appointment,
as well as my daughter. We arrived on XXX XX, 2003, at
12 pm (I kept the confirmation letter). Included with the
letter was a long list of children who got work through
the agency, and what sort of work they received. This still
seemed legit.
We arrived to an office full of "American Baby" cover
shots, magazines with "This child works for our company" stickers,
and so many "Gerber" advertisements I thought
I was in a supermarket.
After about ten minutes, an elderly gentleman came to
the waiting room and called us in to his "office."
He asked us what sort of temperament our child has, if
she smiles frequently, etc.
We answered all of his questions, and we asked a few of
our own. My first question was how did he hear of my daughter?
His response: "We acquire lists from local hospitals
on the births of children and send letters to the homes
of the parents."
I didn't like that idea. I am not sure how that is legal.
I don't want my information sold from my hospital to a
fraudulent agency like this.
My second question was: "How much is this going to
cost?"
His response: "Nothing."
I was happy with that answer! It was a legit business
afterall - at least, that is what I thought.
The man doted on my daughter for a very long time. He
told us how beautiful she was, how he had work lined up
for her. He complemented our ability to be on time for
appointments, which is a big deal when you are dealing
with advertising. He really swelled our heads. Made us
feel like amazing first-time parents.
What a mistake it was to listen!!
He then proposed something. If we paid him $595.00, he
would put her picture all over the internet, send it daily
to advertising firms, and even cover the cost of her photos
for the next five years.
He said that he would represent her for free, but then
we would have to pay for the internet, pay for the pictures,
and he wouldn't submit anything to anyone on our behalf.
It seemed to make sense that we would then pay the fee,
and pay $20.00 each time she had her head shot taken, and
not do any of the work. But before I committed, I asked
to speak with a few parents whose children are involved
with their agency.
He looked at me and screamed, "No! We believe in
confidentiality here," he said. "We would never
give your number to anyone without credentials, same goes
for our other clients."
This seemed really legit.
Then I asked if he could dial someone.
He stated: "Why would I do that? I am only going
to call the happiest client and they will go on and on
about how good we are. That won't put your mind at ease.
What should put your mind at ease is paying us the money
to represent this pot-of-gold you have sitting on your
lap."
Wow. I was swayed.
I wanted to talk to a firm that they work with, and the
gentleman ran his mouth about how they are too busy to
be bothered by parents who are too suspicious of a "legitimate
modeling agency."
So we paid the money. On my credit card. Signed the contract.
Did it all —and feel awfully stupid now.
We had her photos done. We were never contacted to be
told that they were received by "Kids.com," as
the photographer had stated. The picture my husband and
I picked to be on the site isn't even up there! It's a
terrible picture taken while she was crying!
When I called to find out if she was on the site, no one
got back to me —they were "too busy."
We haven't as much as heard one word from these dirty
[...]. I want justice. My daughter's face is plastered
to their disgusting website, and I haven't even been told
how to find the picture.
I eventually went to the site, plugged in her information,
and my child, the child that the gentleman at "Kids.com" swore
was going to make them "tons of money" is the
last child on the page. What the heck is that?! If she
is a money-maker, why isn't she highlighted?
Maybe because this is an incredible [...], run on young
parents with hardly a dime to their name to begin with
who only want to provide their child with a future.
When we were in the office, this guy promised that we
would be helping put our daughter through college with
the money he was going to help her earn.
Like I said, I was [...]. I want justice. I want to help
others who are being snowed by this disgusting company.
I want to help young families, such as my own, who don't
have much money and throw nearly $600 out the window on
nothing. Absolutely nothing. It is a sad, sad world.
Thank you for your time. I hope you know what steps I
need to take in order to obtain justice in this matter.
Sincerely,
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