Legal Question in Entertainment Law in California
payment for modeling
I was hired to model for a photo shoot through a talent website. I was sent me an email saying they have Fedex-ed (with tracking number) me a check from which I would deduct my payment and then send a wire transfer of the remaining funds as payment to the makeup artist in London. I have never had to do this before for a photo shoot, and it just seems suspicious. The only information they have about me is my full name, phone, and address. What are the legal issues related to this situation?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: payment for modeling
http://letmegooglethatforyou.com/?q=fake+check+scam
Re: payment for modeling
This does sound like a current scam in which a company pays you with a large check and instructs you to pay others. The check they give you is bad, but your bank trusts you and allows you to wire transfer the money from your legitimate bank account. Then talent website's check bounces and the bank freezes your accounts. Any reputable company would just send the funds directly to the makeup artist themselves, right? Ask yourself: why are they paying you by check, which takes some time to clear, but insist you pay the makeup artist by instantaneous wire transfer yourself from your own good funds?