215-245-2220

PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THIS MESSAGE & EMAIL TO:
fox29.newsdesk@foxtv.com , tips@nbcphiladelphia.com , newsdesk@cbs3.com

--------

Hello,
I want to bring to your immediate attention a SCAM being run out of Society Hill. More specifically on 125 South Street, Philadelphia PA

The company is calling itself The It Factor Productions and is supposedly a modeling agency/management company. It's run by Alicia Kaback and Michael Fomkin aka Mike James, infamous the the Wilhelmina Scouting Network (http://www.ripoffreport.com/talent-scouts/impact-210-wilhelmin/impact-210-wilhelmina-scouti-7e574.htm).

I believe they're running a pyramid scheme. Here's a brief summary on how they operate AS WELL AS additional links toward the bottom:

Potential models are scouted by agents, on the street. They then are invited (either in person or via email) to a group meeting at their location on South Street, usually on a weekend. The people there all range from small children to old men. Paper work is filled out (name, address, etc.) & measurements are taken. They are then sent to yet another room, a small auditorium of sorts, where after a brief wait - Alicia Kaback delivers a speech touting her success, her connections and that she can help you. After she is done, the individuals are called out one at a time to see if they are selected for a second interview. All are selected for a second interview.

During the second interview, barely two questions are asked before you are rewarded by either being submitted to KMM Models or Colby Models. Then you're pressured to fork over anywhere form  $700.00 to $1,600 right there on the spot to be added to their modeling website in addition to $39.00 monthly fee for website maintenance.

If you don't make a decision then and there you're  told "Your spot will given up to someone else." But, they also offer you a payment plan and need at least 200.00 as down payment to hold your spot. They'll actually take anything you have. The monthly payment for the website maintenance ($39.00) doesn't start until AFTER you've paid the $700.00 payment, either on the spot or over time, however they demand that you hand over debit card info immediately.

After this you're told to schedule a meeting with a Goldie, out of their office Feasterville (210 E Street Rd,  Feasterville Trevose, PA 19053). This is where to offer you overpriced photo packages and "Tell you everything you'll need about the business." They know nothing but one liners and offer a person only delusions of grandeur.

They are petty crooks and thieves and must be stopped.


PLEASE VISIT THESE SITES FOR ADDITIONAL INFO & COMPLAINTS:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/vip-talent-connect-philadelphia

https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-215-245-2220/3

http://starstruckmagazine.blogspot.com/

Better Business Business Bureau reviews:
http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/b ... ia-pa-124319472

PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THIS MESSAGE & EMAIL TO:
fox29.newsdesk@foxtv.com , tips@nbcphiladelphia.com , newsdesk@cbs3.com

--------

Hello,
I want to bring to your immediate attention a SCAM being run out of Society Hill. More specifically on 125 South Street, Philadelphia PA

The company is calling itself The It Factor Productions and is supposedly a modeling agency/management company. It's run by Alicia Kaback and Michael Fomkin aka Mike James, infamous the the Wilhelmina Scouting Network (http://www.ripoffreport.com/talent-scouts/impact-210-wilhelmin/impact-210-wilhelmina-scouti-7e574.htm).

I believe they're running a pyramid scheme. Here's a brief summary on how they operate AS WELL AS additional links toward the bottom:

Potential models are scouted by agents, on the street. They then are invited (either in person or via email) to a group meeting at their location on South Street, usually on a weekend. The people there all range from small children to old men. Paper work is filled out (name, address, etc.) & measurements are taken. They are then sent to yet another room, a small auditorium of sorts, where after a brief wait - Alicia Kaback delivers a speech touting her success, her connections and that she can help you. After she is done, the individuals are called out one at a time to see if they are selected for a second interview. All are selected for a second interview.

During the second interview, barely two questions are asked before you are rewarded by either being submitted to KMM Models or Colby Models. Then you're pressured to fork over anywhere form  $700.00 to $1,600 right there on the spot to be added to their modeling website in addition to $39.00 monthly fee for website maintenance.

If you don't make a decision then and there you're  told "Your spot will given up to someone else." But, they also offer you a payment plan and need at least 200.00 as down payment to hold your spot. They'll actually take anything you have. The monthly payment for the website maintenance ($39.00) doesn't start until AFTER you've paid the $700.00 payment, either on the spot or over time, however they demand that you hand over debit card info immediately.

After this you're told to schedule a meeting with a Goldie, out of their office Feasterville (210 E Street Rd,  Feasterville Trevose, PA 19053). This is where to offer you overpriced photo packages and "Tell you everything you'll need about the business." They know nothing but one liners and offer a person only delusions of grandeur.

They are petty crooks and thieves and must be stopped.


PLEASE VISIT THESE SITES FOR ADDITIONAL INFO & COMPLAINTS:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/vip-talent-connect-philadelphia

https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-215-245-2220/3

http://starstruckmagazine.blogspot.com/

Better Business Business Bureau reviews:
http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/b ... ia-pa-124319472

PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THIS MESSAGE & EMAIL TO:
fox29.newsdesk@foxtv.com , tips@nbcphiladelphia.com , newsdesk@cbs3.com

--------

Hello,
I want to bring to your immediate attention a SCAM being run out of Society Hill. More specifically on 125 South Street, Philadelphia PA

The company is calling itself The It Factor Productions and is supposedly a modeling agency/management company. It's run by Alicia Kaback and Michael Fomkin aka Mike James, infamous the the Wilhelmina Scouting Network (http://www.ripoffreport.com/talent-scouts/impact-210-wilhelmin/impact-210-wilhelmina-scouti-7e574.htm).

I believe they're running a pyramid scheme. Here's a brief summary on how they operate AS WELL AS additional links toward the bottom:

Potential models are scouted by agents, on the street. They then are invited (either in person or via email) to a group meeting at their location on South Street, usually on a weekend. The people there all range from small children to old men. Paper work is filled out (name, address, etc.) & measurements are taken. They are then sent to yet another room, a small auditorium of sorts, where after a brief wait - Alicia Kaback delivers a speech touting her success, her connections and that she can help you. After she is done, the individuals are called out one at a time to see if they are selected for a second interview. All are selected for a second interview.

During the second interview, barely two questions are asked before you are rewarded by either being submitted to KMM Models or Colby Models. Then you're pressured to fork over anywhere form  $700.00 to $1,600 right there on the spot to be added to their modeling website in addition to $39.00 monthly fee for website maintenance.

If you don't make a decision then and there you're  told "Your spot will given up to someone else." But, they also offer you a payment plan and need at least 200.00 as down payment to hold your spot. They'll actually take anything you have. The monthly payment for the website maintenance ($39.00) doesn't start until AFTER you've paid the $700.00 payment, either on the spot or over time, however they demand that you hand over debit card info immediately.

After this you're told to schedule a meeting with a Goldie, out of their office Feasterville (210 E Street Rd,  Feasterville Trevose, PA 19053). This is where to offer you overpriced photo packages and "Tell you everything you'll need about the business." They know nothing but one liners and offer a person only delusions of grandeur.

They are petty crooks and thieves and must be stopped.


PLEASE VISIT THESE SITES FOR ADDITIONAL INFO & COMPLAINTS:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/vip-talent-connect-philadelphia

https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-215-245-2220/3

http://starstruckmagazine.blogspot.com/

Better Business Business Bureau reviews:
http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/b ... ia-pa-124319472

PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THIS MESSAGE & EMAIL TO:
fox29.newsdesk@foxtv.com , tips@nbcphiladelphia.com , newsdesk@cbs3.com

--------

Hello,
I want to bring to your immediate attention a SCAM being run out of Society Hill. More specifically on 125 South Street, Philadelphia PA

The company is calling itself The It Factor Productions and is supposedly a modeling agency/management company. It's run by Alicia Kaback and Michael Fomkin aka Mike James, infamous the the Wilhelmina Scouting Network (http://www.ripoffreport.com/talent-scouts/impact-210-wilhelmin/impact-210-wilhelmina-scouti-7e574.htm).

I believe they're running a pyramid scheme. Here's a brief summary on how they operate AS WELL AS additional links toward the bottom:

Potential models are scouted by agents, on the street. They then are invited (either in person or via email) to a group meeting at their location on South Street, usually on a weekend. The people there all range from small children to old men. Paper work is filled out (name, address, etc.) & measurements are taken. They are then sent to yet another room, a small auditorium of sorts, where after a brief wait - Alicia Kaback delivers a speech touting her success, her connections and that she can help you. After she is done, the individuals are called out one at a time to see if they are selected for a second interview. All are selected for a second interview.

During the second interview, barely two questions are asked before you are rewarded by either being submitted to KMM Models or Colby Models. Then you're pressured to fork over anywhere form  $700.00 to $1,600 right there on the spot to be added to their modeling website in addition to $39.00 monthly fee for website maintenance.

If you don't make a decision then and there you're  told "Your spot will given up to someone else." But, they also offer you a payment plan and need at least 200.00 as down payment to hold your spot. They'll actually take anything you have. The monthly payment for the website maintenance ($39.00) doesn't start until AFTER you've paid the $700.00 payment, either on the spot or over time, however they demand that you hand over debit card info immediately.

After this you're told to schedule a meeting with a Goldie, out of their office Feasterville (210 E Street Rd,  Feasterville Trevose, PA 19053). This is where to offer you overpriced photo packages and "Tell you everything you'll need about the business." They know nothing but one liners and offer a person only delusions of grandeur.

They are petty crooks and thieves and must be stopped.


PLEASE VISIT THESE SITES FOR ADDITIONAL INFO & COMPLAINTS:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/vip-talent-connect-philadelphia

https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-215-245-2220/3

http://starstruckmagazine.blogspot.com/

Better Business Business Bureau reviews:
http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/b ... ia-pa-124319472

PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THIS MESSAGE & EMAIL TO:
fox29.newsdesk@foxtv.com , tips@nbcphiladelphia.com , newsdesk@cbs3.com

--------

Hello,
I want to bring to your immediate attention a SCAM being run out of Society Hill. More specifically on 125 South Street, Philadelphia PA

The company is calling itself The It Factor Productions and is supposedly a modeling agency/management company. It's run by Alicia Kaback and Michael Fomkin aka Mike James, infamous the the Wilhelmina Scouting Network (http://www.ripoffreport.com/talent-scouts/impact-210-wilhelmin/impact-210-wilhelmina-scouti-7e574.htm).

I believe they're running a pyramid scheme. Here's a brief summary on how they operate AS WELL AS additional links toward the bottom:

Potential models are scouted by agents, on the street. They then are invited (either in person or via email) to a group meeting at their location on South Street, usually on a weekend. The people there all range from small children to old men. Paper work is filled out (name, address, etc.) & measurements are taken. They are then sent to yet another room, a small auditorium of sorts, where after a brief wait - Alicia Kaback delivers a speech touting her success, her connections and that she can help you. After she is done, the individuals are called out one at a time to see if they are selected for a second interview. All are selected for a second interview.

During the second interview, barely two questions are asked before you are rewarded by either being submitted to KMM Models or Colby Models. Then you're pressured to fork over anywhere form  $700.00 to $1,600 right there on the spot to be added to their modeling website in addition to $39.00 monthly fee for website maintenance.

If you don't make a decision then and there you're  told "Your spot will given up to someone else." But, they also offer you a payment plan and need at least 200.00 as down payment to hold your spot. They'll actually take anything you have. The monthly payment for the website maintenance ($39.00) doesn't start until AFTER you've paid the $700.00 payment, either on the spot or over time, however they demand that you hand over debit card info immediately.

After this you're told to schedule a meeting with a Goldie, out of their office Feasterville (210 E Street Rd,  Feasterville Trevose, PA 19053). This is where to offer you overpriced photo packages and "Tell you everything you'll need about the business." They know nothing but one liners and offer a person only delusions of grandeur.

They are petty crooks and thieves and must be stopped.


PLEASE VISIT THESE SITES FOR ADDITIONAL INFO & COMPLAINTS:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/vip-talent-connect-philadelphia

https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-215-245-2220/3

http://starstruckmagazine.blogspot.com/

Better Business Business Bureau reviews:
http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/b ... ia-pa-124319472

PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THIS MESSAGE & EMAIL TO:
fox29.newsdesk@foxtv.com , tips@nbcphiladelphia.com , newsdesk@cbs3.com

--------

Hello,
I want to bring to your immediate attention a SCAM being run out of Society Hill. More specifically on 125 South Street, Philadelphia PA

The company is calling itself The It Factor Productions and is supposedly a modeling agency/management company. It's run by Alicia Kaback and Michael Fomkin aka Mike James, infamous the the Wilhelmina Scouting Network (http://www.ripoffreport.com/talent-scouts/impact-210-wilhelmin/impact-210-wilhelmina-scouti-7e574.htm).

I believe they're running a pyramid scheme. Here's a brief summary on how they operate AS WELL AS additional links toward the bottom:

Potential models are scouted by agents, on the street. They then are invited (either in person or via email) to a group meeting at their location on South Street, usually on a weekend. The people there all range from small children to old men. Paper work is filled out (name, address, etc.) & measurements are taken. They are then sent to yet another room, a small auditorium of sorts, where after a brief wait - Alicia Kaback delivers a speech touting her success, her connections and that she can help you. After she is done, the individuals are called out one at a time to see if they are selected for a second interview. All are selected for a second interview.

During the second interview, barely two questions are asked before you are rewarded by either being submitted to KMM Models or Colby Models. Then you're pressured to fork over anywhere form  $700.00 to $1,600 right there on the spot to be added to their modeling website in addition to $39.00 monthly fee for website maintenance.

If you don't make a decision then and there you're  told "Your spot will given up to someone else." But, they also offer you a payment plan and need at least 200.00 as down payment to hold your spot. They'll actually take anything you have. The monthly payment for the website maintenance ($39.00) doesn't start until AFTER you've paid the $700.00 payment, either on the spot or over time, however they demand that you hand over debit card info immediately.

After this you're told to schedule a meeting with a Goldie, out of their office Feasterville (210 E Street Rd,  Feasterville Trevose, PA 19053). This is where to offer you overpriced photo packages and "Tell you everything you'll need about the business." They know nothing but one liners and offer a person only delusions of grandeur.

They are petty crooks and thieves and must be stopped.


PLEASE VISIT THESE SITES FOR ADDITIONAL INFO & COMPLAINTS:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/vip-talent-connect-philadelphia

https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-215-245-2220/3

http://starstruckmagazine.blogspot.com/

Better Business Business Bureau reviews:
http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/b ... ia-pa-124319472

PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THIS MESSAGE & EMAIL TO:
fox29.newsdesk@foxtv.com , tips@nbcphiladelphia.com , newsdesk@cbs3.com

--------

Hello,
I want to bring to your immediate attention a SCAM being run out of Society Hill. More specifically on 125 South Street, Philadelphia PA

The company is calling itself The It Factor Productions and is supposedly a modeling agency/management company. It's run by Alicia Kaback and Michael Fomkin aka Mike James, infamous the the Wilhelmina Scouting Network (http://www.ripoffreport.com/talent-scouts/impact-210-wilhelmin/impact-210-wilhelmina-scouti-7e574.htm).

I believe they're running a pyramid scheme. Here's a brief summary on how they operate AS WELL AS additional links toward the bottom:

Potential models are scouted by agents, on the street. They then are invited (either in person or via email) to a group meeting at their location on South Street, usually on a weekend. The people there all range from small children to old men. Paper work is filled out (name, address, etc.) & measurements are taken. They are then sent to yet another room, a small auditorium of sorts, where after a brief wait - Alicia Kaback delivers a speech touting her success, her connections and that she can help you. After she is done, the individuals are called out one at a time to see if they are selected for a second interview. All are selected for a second interview.

During the second interview, barely two questions are asked before you are rewarded by either being submitted to KMM Models or Colby Models. Then you're pressured to fork over anywhere form  $700.00 to $1,600 right there on the spot to be added to their modeling website in addition to $39.00 monthly fee for website maintenance.

If you don't make a decision then and there you're  told "Your spot will given up to someone else." But, they also offer you a payment plan and need at least 200.00 as down payment to hold your spot. They'll actually take anything you have. The monthly payment for the website maintenance ($39.00) doesn't start until AFTER you've paid the $700.00 payment, either on the spot or over time, however they demand that you hand over debit card info immediately.

After this you're told to schedule a meeting with a Goldie, out of their office Feasterville (210 E Street Rd,  Feasterville Trevose, PA 19053). This is where to offer you overpriced photo packages and "Tell you everything you'll need about the business." They know nothing but one liners and offer a person only delusions of grandeur.

They are petty crooks and thieves and must be stopped.


PLEASE VISIT THESE SITES FOR ADDITIONAL INFO & COMPLAINTS:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/vip-talent-connect-philadelphia

https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-215-245-2220/3

http://starstruckmagazine.blogspot.com/

Better Business Business Bureau reviews:
http://www.bbb.org/washington-dc-eastern-pa/b ... ia-pa-124319472

Admin Edit: "It's a SUSPECT message!"
_________________________________


I want to post a public apology for the above post after doing more research the company is real and legitimate and my own ignorance on how the internet works led me to believe differently. I am truly sorry.

Whats wrong dont want to play anymore or are you 2 busy playing with yourself.

Obviously a scam. I applied for talent scout position. Was offered the job after an interview that lasted about 30 seconds all together. Came in for the first day of training where they spew total bull for a few hours then send you out to scout with about 3 hours of training. Obviously just trying to generate as many leads as possible for them to get the 10-20% gullible enough to fall for the scam into their "office." Funny thing was they even gave us a paper when we came back with rebutalls (sp?) For people who claim its a scam! On the first day!!! Thankfully I researched more before getting myself involved in this mess...

I am not sure which post helped or all in general?  I posted about my experience there and could only hope it helped at least one person.  Mission accomplished.  Please tell us more.  Which office were you in?  Who did you meet?  Did you see this guy that some people say was arrested.  I clicked on the link and it was true.  I would love to hear more.  Share your story so that more people don't waste their hard working hours for little to no pay.  And hopefully talent will also read this and save $1,000s of dollars

Oh this time of year just fills me up with happiness.  I get so excited thinking about all of the people I am going to scam in the up coming year.  Unsuspecting stage mothers who's dreams have been crushed, only hoping to get a glimmer of star light by living through their kids.  Oh yes, they pay big.  They will buy photo's and spend money and my useless event.  Young 20 year olds will spend their measley pay checks beliving that with me they will have a shot....they won't.  Yes, I am bad and evil, yes I scam people....and you know what?  It makes me feel good.  When I spend your hard earned money on myself, more purses, new houses and new cars.  New clothes, fancy dinners, and fancy vacations.  Just to prove no one reads these stupid site's I am more than happy to come on here and write the truth, just to prove these idiot's will still keep coming in and handing over their money to me.  Am I evil?  No, I am just smarter than you.  So Happy New Year to me and thank you for all the money that you will waist in the coming year.

AK :)

Beware of modeling, scouting-for-talent, casting-call scams http://www.bbb.org/us/article/dont-get-taken-by-a-modeling-scam-21954 that want you to pay $$$ up front for services like photo shoots, etc.  It's may be difficult to get your money back from fee-for-service scams because you did receive a service for a fee (if you did) and it'll be your word against theirs on whatever other verbal promises they made but which aren't on the contract. The only good defense is to only deal with reputable established agencies and not a stranger who calls you.

Beware of modeling, scouting-for-talent, casting-call scams http://www.bbb.org/us/article/dont-get-taken-by-a-modeling-scam-21954 that want you to pay $$$ up front for services like photo shoots, etc.  It's may be difficult to get your money back from fee-for-service scams because you did receive a service for a fee (if you did) and it'll be your word against theirs on whatever other verbal promises they made but which aren't on the contract. The only good defense is to only deal with reputable established agencies and not a stranger who calls you.

Where can I submit myself I went on the site and did not see anywhere I want to model since I was 14!

Not with this company you don't.  This company will charge you way too much money for useless classes and poorly-done photographs, then vanish.  They will not help you get a job as a model.

I haven't seen any solid comments about an employee not getting paid after the 30 day training period. Let's say you take a chance and stay at the job through training, and are promised the $800-$900 week base salary. What reasons do they give for not giving employees this money?

Ok couple of things here... They never pay that, period.  No one makes it past 30 days.  If you do they say that u need to avg. 5 a week during your 30 days to get the base pay, which no one gets 5 a week and surely not for 4 weeks straight.  They lie lie lie.  More importantly if you scout people, you will be scamming them so do the right thing n don't set people up to be scammed!  As I said, they lie!  They won't let you get 5 because if they sign people up, they don't tell you all of your sales.  After I quit I saw people I scouted on their web-site that I never got paid for.  They are thieves, run away.

Wow I was asked to come to an interview n feasterville one day when I was talking to sum friends at the mall I was gonna go and even got upset when I didt make the first interview they told me if I didt make it I would be on the waiting list like two days later they called saying I had a second chance I didt go either after that they kept calling Iam like I though the waiting list was full so how come u guys keep calling than I did some research on them turns up a whole bunch of scams like I think god I didt go cause let someone try and scam me out my hard earned money and things would have gotten rotten

Dear Carrie,

This is a scam because they make you pay all this money and they provide you with no representation. You are wasting your time. Your daughter will be told "I see a lot of potential in you and we want to work with you" but what they really want is your money. (Real) Agencies don't ask for money EVER! Take her to NYC if she wants to work on Broadway or LA if she wants to work in films.