Crackdown on the High Price of Fame
By REVA HICKS
Updated 4:15 PM PDT, Wed, Oct 21, 2009
It happens every day. Unscruplous talent scouts try to lure children and teenagers to phony auditions.
Especially in malls in and around Hollywood. And these talent scouts have everything to gain with their persistence -- they charge hefty advanced fees for their services.
It's all part of a growing fraud in the entertainment industry, said California lawmaker Paul Krekorian. He authored a tough new law called the "Advance Fee Talent Scam Prevention Act."
The law makes it illegal for talent service businesses to charge advance fees. And, if they advertise a famous client list, they must have proof to back those claims. The new law also prohibits automatic renewal of service contracts without notifying clients.
"Too often those with dreams of becoming actors are victimzed by promises of stardom and fame, all for a price," said Actor and Screen Actors Guild National President, Ken Howard today.
Consumer complaints about acting and modeling scams have doubled since 2006, said Krekorian. He hopes this new law will
stop fraudulent talent businesses from stealing Hollywood dreams from children and their families.
First Published: Oct 21, 2009 3:57 PM PDT
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