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FRAUD ALERT
November - 2008
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Child Modeling

Sure, there are legitimate ones out there, but they are few and far between. Stay away from any
"agency" that recruits by placing an ad in the newspaper or by sending a "scouter" out to the mall.

They will try to get you to go to their agency so you can sign up as one of their clients so they can
supposedly get you jobs with magazines and maybe TV commercials.

If you show up to sign up with the agency, you will be required (or pressured) to purchase a $600 -
$1000 photo package.  They turn out to be nothing more than a set of mediocre photos that a real
agency would turn down.

Do your research before handing over ANY money to these so-called agencies.

There are very good books at your library that are written by real talent agents that will give you all
the advice and information you need should you be interested in getting you or your kids a job in
the industry.

Door-to-Door Magazine Sales

I'm sure you know the drill by now- a young, well-dressed teen knocks at your door and asks you
to "Sponser" or "vote" for him so that he can earn a trip to Europe. All you have to do to vote for
him is to purchase a magazine subscription.

He charms you by mentioning that your friendly neighbor purchased two subscriptions. He also
notices that you have toys in your front yard so he asks you if you would like a parenting
magazine or a children's magazine.

Before you know it, he has walked away with a chunk of your last paycheck and you're still
standing there wondering why you purchased a three-year subscription to a magazine that you
have no interest in. Here are a few things you should know about these magazine pushers:

1.  They are almost always from another state.
2.  They are well-trained and aggressive in their approach.
3.  They often lie to get customers into purchasing overpriced magazines.
4.  The "sales kids" are often exploited and mistreated by the companies.
5.  Many are used to gain entrance to  your house for robbery.

To learn more, click on the link below which is also listed in my links page.

parentwatch.org - An insider look at those "traveling teenager sales groups" that go door-to-door.
Warning: These can be scams at your door involving burglary or worse!

Envelope Stuffing:

Pay $20 - $50 for them to send you a letter telling you to place the same ad in a newspaper. Now
you are the scam artist. This has hooked people for many years and continues today.
Assemble Products at Home:


My Sister-in-Law assembled electronic parts onto motherboards to be ready for soldering. The
company was a local business that she could drive to back and forth. She quit after realizing the
time required was not worth the money she was getting paid as an Independent Contractor.


Paid Online Surveys:

This is very time consuming and usually not worth all the effort you have to put into it.  There are
many "conditions" you have to meet and if you fail to follow exact instructions you won't get paid
a penny. Also, never pay anybody to supply you a list of companies that will pay you to do
surveys. Just Google the words PAID ONLINE SURVEYS and you should find many to check out.

Invention Submission Companies:

They make you feel like your product is the best invention since the light bulb. They take your
money ( $3000 and up ) and then send you pretty pictures and a glowing write up of how your idea
could hit the big time, and for some more money, they will present your idea to the giants of the
industry.  
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