U.S. cracking down on talent scouts

WASHINGTON (AP) - Phony talent scouts are using flattery to getthem everywhere with consumers, who sometimes shell out big bucks tobecome "stars." The government has filed a string of charges.

A common scenario runs like this: A so-called agent approaches amother and her toddler in the mall and says the child has the looksto be a model in TV commercials. The scout leaves a card and urgesher to make an appointment. That's where the consumer is coercedinto paying for expensive modeling classes and photo shoots,according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Thursday the FTC announced charges against Screen Test U.S.A.,accusing the company of using a screen test for children to conparents into buying company products.Parents who saw television, radio or Internet ads and called thecompany were told to bring their children in for a $45 screen test.After the company informed parents that their children had passedthescreen test, scouts put pressure on the families to buy packages ofphotographs ranging from $495 to $795.According to the commission, the firm, based in Wayne, N.J., withbranches along the East Coast, also falsely claimed that childrenwere more likely to be signed by well-known talent agencies throughthe company."This screen test was a smokescreen," said Jodie Bernstein,director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "Consumers whobought products and services from these individuals thought theyweregetting good advice from seasoned professionals, and they weren't."In addition, the FTC charged that Screen Test failed to follow the"cooling off" rule, which allows consumers some rights to cancelservices.A federal court in New Jersey has temporarily halted the company'soperations and frozen its assets. A preliminary hearing seeking aninjunction against the company is scheduled for June.Messages left at the company's headquarters were not answered. Noone was available to take calls at branch locations.Thursday's action was the latest in a series filed by thecommission to crack down on fraudulent talent agencies. At thecommission's request, a federal court in New Jersey also has barredNational Talent Associates Inc. from misrepresenting its ability tofind high-paying modeling and acting jobs for children.The Fairfield, N.J., company had agreed to settle commissioncharges initially filed in 1974. But the FTC charged that thecompany violated this consent order.The defendants, who also have offices in Philadelphia, New York,Chicago and Minneapolis, have been ordered to pay a $160,000 civilpenalty. NTA declined to comment on the case Thursday.Earlier this week, the FTC filed suit in U.S. District Court inAlexandria, Va., against three modeling firms.In its complaint, the commission alleges that the Model 1 Inc.,Erickson Agency Inc., and Creative Talent Management Inc. falselyrepresented themselves as selectively scouting for models and actorswhen in fact the companies accept all candidates who make a deposit.