Kids.com Aka JustOurKids.com Main Office In Fairfield Is A BIG SCAM child modeling scam still operating despite FTC injunction Fairfeild Valley Stream New York Minnesota Illinois Pennsylvania Connecticut

I have a 22 year old daughter who is tall, skinny and a supermodel lookalike. As a matter of fact, we happen to know some showgirls from Las Vegas who work with Cher and have done tours with Tina Turner. One of the dancers, our friend, asked my daughter if she would be interested in modeling, because she could get her set up with an agency. My daughter politely declined. She is about to graduate college. She is a marine biology major.

I am very proud of her for not exploiting her looks. However, if she changes her mind and does decide to model, it would be ok, because she is an adult. But to exploit your babies and raise them to think that they must look a certain way to get accepted... shameful. All babies are beautiful.

My daughter has been an athlete all her life and loves the ocean. Marine life has fascinated her since her first fishing trip. I remember when she was four(she looks like a young Elizabeth Taylor, like in National Velvet) I told her that despite all the compliments she gets on how pretty she is, she must simply say thank you and forget about it. She is not a better person just because she is pretty, and she must never choose her friends based on their looks. She grew up well rounded and extremely modest. I hope she never models.

You parents should forget child modeling. It's silly. I feel sorry for the kids on tv commercials and ads because I wonder how many auditions they were dragged to and how much stress they went through to land the jobs. Poor things.

Name: Ad Kids
Phone: (773) 205-4160
Fax: (773) 205-5449
Address: 4801 W Peterson Ave
Ste 615
Chicago, IL 60646-5728
Yahoo Map
Website: www.adkids.net
Original Business Start Date: March 2003
Principal: Mr. David Laurino, President/ Owner
Customer Contact: Mr. David Laurino, President/ Owner - (773) 205-4160

In response to the guy who wondered if it was simply "just your kid couldn't get a job because of such and such reason". Well, wwe paid the $595 and the sitting fees and quickly realized that this place wasa not only a joke, but a scam. a few months after wasting our money to these clowns, my wife sent portfolios out to the top agencies in Chicago and we received three offers. We went with the world famous Ford Modeling Agency. We got numerous casting calls through Ford. We even got a couple jobs and a few callbacks. One call back was for a Huggies diaper campaign where my daughter was the runner-up. She didn't get the job because she simply couldn't grab her toes on command at the age of one. Kids.com NEVER even offered any casting calls. So, to say "maybe your kid isn't cute, talented, or have the personality" is WRONG.

I filed a report to the BBB, and they did NOTHING. I cited that we paid Ford nothing and Ford gave her plenty of opportunities and jobs.

Have you ever thought that maybe it was your child. Maybe you paid, but not all kids have what it takes to make it in s****.> I know you have to go on several auditions for your kid to possibly book one job.
If your kids not getting called, maybe they are boring, untalented or (sorry)possibly not attractive.

IN JUNE OF 2007 ME AND MY HUSBAND RECIEVED AN ADVERTISEMENT VIA MAIL BY KIDS.COM. WE DECIDED TO GIVE THEM AN CALL, DURING THAT PHONE CALL WE MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MY SON WHO AT THE TIME WAS 9 MONTHS OLD. MY HUSBAND AND I WENT INTO THE OFFICE AN WAS HOST BY A GUY NAMED HARVEEY KHALEEL, WHO PRESENTED US WITH ALL THE MAGAZINES AND ADVERTISEMENT THAT THEIR KIDS WERE CURRENTLY WORKING FOR. WE WERE INTERESTED AND WAS ASKED TO PAY AN FEE OF $595. WHICH WE PAID IN FULL.

WEEKS WENT BY AN HAVE NOT RECIEVED ANY PHONE CALLS SO I THEN GAVE THEM NMEROUS OF CALLS AND SPOKE TO A LADY WHO REFUSED TO GIVE ME HER NAME WHO THEN TOLD ME TO TAKE MY SON TO AN PHOTO SHOOT TO TAKE SOME HEAD SHOTS OF MY SON. SHE THEN SAID, "YOU WILL BE CONTACTED AS SOON AS THE PICTURES GET TO THE OFFICE". I TOOK MY SON FOR AN PHOTO SHOOT AT STUDIO 4 PHOTOGRAPHICS, PAID THE SITTING FEE OF $20.00. MY SON TOOK SOME BEUAITFUL PHOTOS SO I ALSO PURCHASED THE PHOTOS ON CD FOR AT AN ADDITION $150.00. I WAS ASSURED BY PHOTOGRAPH CO. THAT THE PICTURES WILL BE DELIVERED IN A WEEK.

AN WEEK WENT BY AND I DIDN'T RECIEVE AN PHONE CALL BY KIDS.COM SO ONCE AGAIN I GAVE KIDS.COM AN CALL AND ONCE AGAIN I SPOKE TO THE SAME LADY WHO AGAIN WOULD NOT GIVE ME HER NAME. SHE STATED THAT THEY HAVE RECIEVED MY SON PICTURES AND IT WOULD BE PLACED ON THE WEBSITE FOR REVIEWING FOR JOBS.

MORE WEEKS WENT BY WITHOUT PHONE CALLS FROM KIDS.COM OR JOBS, SO AGAIN I DECIDED TO GIVE KIDS.COM AN CALL AND BEHOLD THE PHONE WAS OUT OF SERVICE. I CALLED AGAIN THINKING I DAIL THE WRONG NUMBER BUT IT WAS NOT THE PHONE ALL THE PHONE NUMBER I HAD IN MY FILE WERE OUT OF SERVICE.

I BEGIN TO FEEL HORRIBLE BECAUSE I BEGIN TO THINK I'VE BEEN SCAMMED, WHICH AFTER RESEARCH IT WAS CONFIRMED.

SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. I WANT MY MONEY BACK. THEY DIDN'T JUST TAKE FROM ME AND MY HUSBAND THEY TOOK MONEY FROM MY SON THAT'S WHAT MAKES ME SO ANGRY.

They are gone. Closed up shop. Finished. Their "lawyers" advised them to walk away and they have. They were seen moving files out of the office and making multiple trips to the "bank". They closed the doors in NJ and didn't even bother to tell their other offices - those poor slobs were working away with bounced paychecks in their pockets clueless.

The funny thing is they DID get kids work and quite a bit of it! I WAS an honest business being run by dishonest men. Checks to kids who worked were cashed, kids not paid. They BOUNCED our PAYCHECKS left and right. I don't know how the Bagwell men look at themselves in the mirror or sleep at night and I think the women who are married to these men are even worse.

My daughter has been a part of Kids.com, in Chicago, IL (we recently moved to Florida) since she was 4, she is now 8. She was picked up by an agency, no fees involved, and from there was sent on 100's of auditions (McDonalds and other major companies). Since she has been a part of Kids.com she has had 2 jobs doing print ads for Sears Wishbook catalog and for a company that does a teachers catalog. The companies that did the photo shoot for Sears, was very well known and used kids from Kids.com all the time.

So I think although you may have a legitimate complaint about this office you are dealing with, Kids.com is not a scam. I'm sure major companies like Sears, McDonalds, ABC, etc., would not affiliate themselves with a company that is scamming people. The problem is that there are thousands of children who want to be in the business and casting calls are filled with these children, so how do they decide and they only need one out of a thousand or even 10.

It's a tough industry to make it in, you have to have the skills, personality, and finances to do it. Although, I went through Kids.com and my daughter was successful, others may not be. However, in the future I think I'll pull my resources together and do her managing on my own. Kids.com is only a management company, it is not an agency. They connect your child up with agencies in your local area. They handle the job scheduling and payment.

Honestly, you can do it yourself if you gain the knowledge. I did, because it was something my daughter really wanted to do, not something I wanted her to do. I was afraid for her, because like I said not every child gets the job. So, I now am building a webpage for her, she has her portfolio, some recommendations from agents who have seen her, and she has her will and desire to succeed. Oh, and my daughter goes every six months to her photo shoot, I do not select the pictures for the Kids.com website, they do and if I want to purchase the proofs from the shoot, the only cost me $20.

It's a money making business for everyone involved and you are not going to get everything handed to you. It is an investment you make in your childs future. Casting agents are looking for quality photos that really capture your childs personality, and unfortunately you have to pay for photos like that. Just my view on Kids.com.....Thanks

I just wanted to say thanks to this website and the original poster. I received a letter from Kids.com a few months ago. I called the Lincolnwood, Illinois office and spoke to the receptionist.

She first asked for the file number (located on the top of the letter), and I gave it to her. She asked me for my child's name and information. I asked her, "Which one? I have 2 kids." She said, "Both." I said, "Before I give you this information, I want to know how much this costs." She told me that it was $595 for the first child and $99 for each additional child (for a 5 year contract), that I would need to buy professional photos from them every 6 months, etc.

Since I didn't have that kind of money at the time, I told her that I would have to dicuss it with my husband and would get back to her. I still wanted to believe in the dream, so I saved the letter, hoping to call back once I had the money.

I was on this website researching another company, and came accross this post. I cannot thank you enough! I saved hundreds, if not thousands of dollars because of ripoffreport.com and the original poster.

P.S. I am very sorry to all of the people that got scammed, and I hope that you take down this horrible company.

PLEASE LOOK UP THE BBB ON RIP OFF REPORT - IT IS STATED MANY PLACES THAT THE BBB IS A SCAM WITHIN ITS SELF. THEY PLEAD WITH YOU TO BECOME A MEMBER AND CLAIM TO EVEN PROTECT YOU IF A CONSUMER HAS A COMPLAINT.

I WAS CONTACTED BY THE BBB AND ASKED TO BE A MEMEBER AND WAS TOLD THAT SOMEONE CALLED INQUIERING ABOUT MY BUSINESS (an angry ex employee) AND THAT THIS PERSON HAD BAD MOUTH MY COMPANY. THE BBB CLEARING TOLD ME THAT IF I WAS A MEMBER THEY WOULD HAVE PROTECTED ME. THEY WENT ON TO SAY THEY "IGNORED" THE COMPLAINT BUT I WOULD NEED TO BE A MEMBER OR ELSE THEY WOULD NOT DEFFEND ME NEXT TIME.

I TOLD THEM I AM A MULTI AWARD WINNING BUSINESS THAT GETS THE BUSINESS FROM SOME OF THE CITIES HIGHEST RANKED OFFICIALS....I REALLY AM NOT WORRIED ABOUT COMPLAINTS. IT WAS A ANGRY FIRED EMPLOYEE THAT WAS JUST LOOKING FOR REVENGE BECAUSE HE KNOWS IM SQUEEKY CLEAN.

THEY WENT ON TO SAY "WELL IF YOU WANT US TO PROTECT YOU OR IF YOU WANT TO HAVE OUR STICKER PLEASE CONSIDER BECOMING A MEMBER IN THE FUTURE..." THEY SAID "YOU NEVER KNOW IF SOME ANGRY CUSTOMER WILL STRIKE AT YOU AGAIN"

I THOUGHT THIS WAS INSANE BECAUSE WHAT IF I OR ANY OTHER MERCHANT REALLY HAD CHEATED A CUSTOMER, WHY SHOULD WE DESERVE PROTECTING? WASNT THIS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE CONSUMERS....WHO'S SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING THEM? i THOUGHT THAT WAS THE BBB's JOB?

THIS IS THE FOX WATCHING THE HENHOUSE
DONT REST ASSURE THEY HAVE YOUR BACKS....THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO COVER LAWSUITS, FEDERAL SHUTDOWNS, MANY CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND NOT TELL A SINGLE CONSUMER OF SUCH...WILL STILL INSIST THAT THEIR MEMBER IS A HONORABLE ONE.

PLEASE SEARCH THE BBB RIGHT HERE ON THIS SITE AND YOU WILL SEE HOW WASTEFUL IT IS TO FILE WITH THEM. THEY ARE ALL LAUGHING IN YOUR FACE OVER LUNCH. ITS ALL ABOUT GREED AND MONEY.

My husband, daughter, and I were also victims of Kids.com in early 2005. We paid the $600 with the hopes that our daughter would get some print and/or commercial work. We have the same story as most...told our daughter was beautiful, pay the money now, have pictures taken every 6 months, and we will call you. Well, almost two years later and no calls just letters telling us we need to have pictures updated for the website. If only we would have know about ripoffreport.com prior to our meeting with Kids.com and we could have saved our money.

Three other websites that this agency uses that do not appear to be mentioned are

childreninadvertising.com/
kid-models.net/
ourrisingstars.com/

My grandson got scammed before he was 6 months old. Now isn't that something!!! My daughter received something in the mail from Kids.com, shortly after my grandson was born. He really is an adorable kid with dark hair, big eyes and that kind of skin that looks tanned all year 'round.

Anyway, I went with her to the Cherry Hill, N.J. office and I'm embarrased to say that I also fell for this scam. We too, were pressured on the spot and as I recall, the woman we talked to did get a little snooty, giving us the line about "your child's future", etc. The only good thing that came out of this (if you can call it "good") was, my daughter's job at the time was seasonal, and after her deposit of $100 and her second payment of $100, she couldn't afford the remaining balance. So, she got taken for only the $200 she had paid out, not the entire $595 or whatever it was at the time.

When you sign a contract, you are responsible to honor said contract, so when Kids.com didn't pressure my daughter for the remaining balance, that should have been the big clue to this scam. Duh, boy do we feel pretty dumb now, finding out about this scam almost 5 years after the fact.

How do they know or where do they get this information? Simple, its either from the magazines people sign up for before a babys bourn which they buy or a babys registry done by the hospitol. When we had our first baby 6 months ago, a whole slew of things came in the mail. Seems the so called confidential info the hospitol had was given/sold to a company that in turn contacted just about every baby thing in the market. Basically, only way to avoid it, is make sure you sign on the papers (INFO IS NOT TO BE SHARED)

How do they know or where do they get this information? Simple, its either from the magazines people sign up for before a babys bourn which they buy or a babys registry done by the hospitol. When we had our first baby 6 months ago, a whole slew of things came in the mail. Seems the so called confidential info the hospitol had was given/sold to a company that in turn contacted just about every baby thing in the market. Basically, only way to avoid it, is make sure you sign on the papers (INFO IS NOT TO BE SHARED)

How do they know or where do they get this information? Simple, its either from the magazines people sign up for before a babys bourn which they buy or a babys registry done by the hospitol. When we had our first baby 6 months ago, a whole slew of things came in the mail. Seems the so called confidential info the hospitol had was given/sold to a company that in turn contacted just about every baby thing in the market. Basically, only way to avoid it, is make sure you sign on the papers (INFO IS NOT TO BE SHARED)

I just came across this site trying to avoid further pain of being robbed blind ( literally)
I recall getting some information directly after my son was just born Nov 2 1994 He just had his 11 th Birthday today. Reading all these posted brought back alot of memmories and what i do recall is I think they paid for names off of a hospital list of newborns or new parents stuff etc. Anyway it was the same sunario man comes to house says how great my son is what a natural etc etc. I think I paid about 4395-$495.00 I was sent to really expensive photographers and yes it cost us and arm and a leg. I was swayed mainly by the abundance of strangers at all various times that suggest he should be in pictures this is why i fell pray to this scam. My husband was approached when he was small and his parents never pursued it so I did not want to turn down the chance for my son to try. I did go on 1 interview in NY and his picture was posted on a web sight. We were never called again. When the contract ran out I think it was for 3 yrs at the time. I was fortunate enough to go to a local mall where a real talent agent was holding open castings for a 3 year contract 1997 . Out of over 100 children of all ages my son at 3 years old belts out a little song sings to the crowd not a bit shy and He was 1 of the 3 children they picked. I went on over 30 auditions with him within the 3 years and he did only get 2 small paid jobs. YES IT IS TRUE NO MONEY FOR REAL AGENTS... you get paid when you get work.. the hardest part is the 5 minutes your child has to make a lasting impression over all the other beautiful faces children doing the same exact thing. So to all you hopefull parents don;t be discouraged, BUT DO NOT PAY ANYONE ----- HAVE THEM PAY YOU>>>> for the privilage to work with your child and NEVER LET THEM OUT OF YOUR SIGHT... trust your 1st instinct it is usually right. learn to listen to yourself.

Then about 1 year later around 1998 I was contacted by this KIDS.com I recognised the same name and logo etc too. I called for information and was told ooh NO thats not us. that was B/s I live right here in NEW JERSEY minutes from both locations. I told told them NO WAY he is under contract with someone else cancel any & all reminders on my son or they will be sued by his agents. That was the last I paid attention to them. I too was embarrased that I fell for this. I may even still have tha paperwork put away somewhere. I would glady join a class action suit against them. Who is to say what they really do with OUR kids photos??? The real agencies in NY only keep them temporaily and do make their on files of children by age , hair color, eye color etc and will check with all reputable agents asking for ( example ) 8 yr old male blonde haired, blue eyed freckled etc etc send to the casting and cross your fingers in a room filled with all 8 yr olds with blonde hair and freckles. I really hope this helps.
Keep up all your efforts.

Just so you know, getting your kids into acting isn't "pimping" them. Also, it sounds quite a lot like someone's sending these parents letters to entice them into these jobs. Legally, that's called "entrapment."

Anyone - and I mean ANYONE - can get scammed. Even if it's happened before. But as a "working" actor (I've been in film, on television, on stage, in radio, etc.) I can tell you that my representation gets paid. When I work. NEVER before!

I was with a "Talent Agency" out in Arizona who shall remain nameless but who many years ago lost their SAG franchise because they were charging for and requiring classes up front before you'd be fully represented. The excuse was beautiful - "We want to know you can be in front of the camera before we send you out." It made so much sense.

So my point is this; agencies get paid by you for finding you work. Casting directors are paid by the job for finding "X"-number of such-and-such type people and don't take a percentage of your pay normally. And classes are classes. But most importantly, I have never once gotten, nor do I know anyone else who has gotten, a job from one of these "Internet Advertising" so-called "agencies." They're bull, they're baloney, they're a rip-off. "We tell everyone what the average chances are." And then you tell them, "But I know someone who's casting something and looking for someone JUST LIKE YOU!"

My first job with the aforementioned "pay first represent later" agency? Wearing a shark costume, handing out booze at local bars here in the Phoenix area. Sweating like a pig and getting my butt kicked because the Coyotes had just lost to the Sand Sharks. For less than minimum wage. C'mon, that sucks. A real agency, SAG or not, wouldn't have sent me out on that job.

Find someone who will take good "neutral" pictures of yourself or your minor children (NOT "Glamor Shots," it should look like an everyday "you" so they know what they're getting), interview several agencies, understand that if you're not doing SAG work (i.e. if you're in a "right to work" state and that's what most of the work is) that the pay's generally horrid and almost always a one-time pay buyout, and that many non-SAG agencies take as much as 20%. But they DO NOT GET PAID IF YOU DO NOT GET PAID! Always. Forever. Remember that.

On the facestoremember.com website one of their references are a lady named Valerie Mccaffrey. She was the casting director for The Hebrew Hammer movie. I wrote her an email asking her about kids.com and casting for that movie. Here is her resdponse word for word.

Here's the email i sent.

I have a small question for you. Before i use this service i want to make sure that they are legit. I noticed that according to their site that you used them for the movie The Hebrew Hammer. Since you were in charge of casting on that movie i figured you were the best one to ask. The web site is www.facestoremember.com and the name of the company is Kids.com

Here is her response.

I don't remember them, but still they could have submitted their kids.
If they charge you money---they shouldn't if they are legit. Good luck.


Well folks there it is. It still comes down to they should not be charing you money.

My wife and I had beed receiving letters from Kids.com for years now (since 02) we had our 2nd child in o4 and then received another letter a few weeks ago.

I called into Kids.com and did a breif phone interview, we then scheduled to go into their Cherry Hill Office, not really knowing what to expect, as doing a search on facestoremember.com did not show anything negative.

So on Saturday August 27 2005, my wife my kids and I go to their office for 2.5 hours.

They go through their standard dog and pont show, said they dont sign everyone and left the room for me and my wife to talk.(To be honest with you, the rooms must be bugged becasue she made mention of something my wife and I had talked about in private.)

So I asked the question, of can you tell me how many people you sign actually work. She (Carol) stated to tell me that they dont hold these numbers becasue most parents refuse to let the kids work on specific jobs, I asked what types of jibs and she couldnt answer that either.

So she starts to show me how their website works and why its better, I notice in the print outs of the URL, its www.justourkids.com and asked hew what that was all about, she said " Dont mind that, we had issues with that site so had to change our names".

We asked her if we could think about it, becasue we needed to sleep on it. (Oddly enough when my wife and I married, we made a pact to sleep on any purchase over 400 :) ) she proceed to state, we would like and answer now, so I said, well thank you for your time, and my wife said, if we change our mind, can we call, you?

She proceeded to get very aggriviated, and said, whats they point! No, dont call us back.

So as my wife and I are leaving, she then became all sweet and told us that she knew she could get our kids work etc..

We just continued to walk out the door.

I am soooooo glad our internal instincts were right, becasue when I came home, I searched the net for www. justourkids.com and came acrosss this ripoff report.

Thanks everyone for posting.

BTW. Remember that they are now using, www.facestoremember.com as the new twist.

I wish there was some way to shut these people down. After reading about this scam, I tried their website to see if it was shut down. Unfortunately, it's still up and running, with the ridiculous claims about how Baby X and Baby Y modeled in these ads, blah blah blah. What a bunch of thieves--still operating even thought there's an FTC injunction.

Their disclaimer under "Important Information" is ridiculous and its defensive tone clearly indicates guilt. Otherwise, why would they have to post such a disclaimer in the first place?

The branch in Minnesota may have closed, but unfortunately this crook has others plus his website. Why hasn't he and his cohorts been stopped?

My heart goes out to all of you who've been scammed by this heartless b*****d and his cohorts. I encourage all of you to file complaints every possible way to stop this operation, because thousands more are becoming victimized.

And to those here who smugly say "stop pimping your kids" or "how could you be so gullible", etc., etc., you've obviously have never been the victim of a scam where you are bullied and intimidated into doing something you don't want to do.

Nobody wants confrontation, but that is what that this pompous a*s Bagwell tells his people to do when the customer initially refuses to pay--bully, insult, harass, humiliated and intimidate the customer until they give in to avoid a fight or confrontation. Bagwell and his scumbags are masters at this because they know it works. Of course, they run into parents who throw it right back in their faces, and they back off.

So please don't judge these people here so harshly who have been victimized by this company. They were well-meaning people who adore their children. The people you should judge and get after is OLD FART BAGWELL AND HIS SCAMMING COHORTS.

I have to agree with Stephanie...stop trying to pimp out your children. Let them grow up normal, and not feeling like a failure because they aren't getting the modeling jobs mom and dad want them to get. To much pressure on your kids. You deserve to be ripped off if your going to try to pimp out your kids. Or are you hoping they become famouse enough to go to Michael Jacksons Neverland ranch?

I can't believe you guys actually fell for this! You go in thinking that your child is the most beautiful child in the world and that they will be rich and famous child actors and be able to support you. Stop trying to pimp out your child so you can pocket the cash. Stage Moms and Dads just make me so sick. They are CHILDREN! They are supposed to be outside playing with their friends, not posing for pictures and working.

I can't believe you guys actually fell for this! You go in thinking that your child is the most beautiful child in the world and that they will be rich and famous child actors and be able to support you. Stop trying to pimp out your child so you can pocket the cash. Stage Moms and Dads just make me so sick. They are CHILDREN! They are supposed to be outside playing with their friends, not posing for pictures and working.

I can't believe you guys actually fell for this! You go in thinking that your child is the most beautiful child in the world and that they will be rich and famous child actors and be able to support you. Stop trying to pimp out your child so you can pocket the cash. Stage Moms and Dads just make me so sick. They are CHILDREN! They are supposed to be outside playing with their friends, not posing for pictures and working.

I can't believe you guys actually fell for this! You go in thinking that your child is the most beautiful child in the world and that they will be rich and famous child actors and be able to support you. Stop trying to pimp out your child so you can pocket the cash. Stage Moms and Dads just make me so sick. They are CHILDREN! They are supposed to be outside playing with their friends, not posing for pictures and working.

I also had an almost identical experience w/ kids.com. I occasionally get letters telling me that they need newborns all the time, and almost thought twice about calling when I delivered our son in September, but then realized that my first inclination was probably right and we got ripped off for $600. Good Luck to ya. I wish the government spent a little more time looking at this site and cleaning up more of the trash in our own country, b/f saving the world.

NO reputable agency asks for money up front
Patrick is on the mark - This company is nothing more than a scam and will continue to be a scam
Ford, Elite, Kim Dawson they do not ask for monies up front
Get real - my sister was a model and my parents never gave monies to any agency for the agency got paid for her work

Hey Patrick - Keep up the good work

NO reputable agency asks for money up front
Patrick is on the mark - This company is nothing more than a scam and will continue to be a scam
Ford, Elite, Kim Dawson they do not ask for monies up front
Get real - my sister was a model and my parents never gave monies to any agency for the agency got paid for her work

Hey Patrick - Keep up the good work

NO reputable agency asks for money up front
Patrick is on the mark - This company is nothing more than a scam and will continue to be a scam
Ford, Elite, Kim Dawson they do not ask for monies up front
Get real - my sister was a model and my parents never gave monies to any agency for the agency got paid for her work

Hey Patrick - Keep up the good work

Yes Liz, my experience is with another "company" (I won't say agent becasue that would be false). But their MO is almost exactly the same as Kids.com.

Oh, but I do know the business, all too well now because of my research. I know that true talent scouts and advertising agencies DO NOT turn to the internet for talent. They go to reputable Talent Agents, who have talent to hire out legitimately.

Again, here is the bottom line: REPUTABLE TALENT AGENTS DO NOT ASK FOR ANY MONEY UP FRONT TO REPRESENT YOU! THEY GET PAID WHEN THEY FIND YOU WORK.

Kids.com, and all other organizations like them, make their money by offering false promises to hopeful parents/models/actors. You will never be able to convince otherwise.

PATRICK, I BELIEVE YOUR ISSUE WAS WITH ANOTHER AGENCY, NOT KIDS.COM, SO WHY DON'T YOU STICK TO A SUBJECT YOU KNOW. YOU OBVIOUSLY DO NOT KNOW KIDS.COM SINCE YOU LIVE IN ARIZONA AND KIDS.COM IS ON THE EAST COAST.

ALSO, SORRY ABOUT THE TYPOS, BUT I THINK YOU GET MY POINT. THE REAL PROBLEM HERE IS THE FACT THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THE BUSINESS AND THINK THE ONLY WAY IN IS THROUGH AN AGENT. (BTW, AGENTS DON'T LIKE KIDS.COM BECASUE IT TAKES BUSINESS AWAY FROM THEM.) NOW THAT THE INTERNET IS HERE THERE ARE OTHER TOOLS THAT WILL HELP PEOPLE, NOT JUST KIDS, BREAK INTO THE BUSINESS. BUT ITS NOT FREE. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO PAY THE SERVICE FEE, THEN DON'T JOIN, BUT DON'T KNOCK IT, BECAUSE IT DOES WORK FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

Thank you Patrick

Any reputable agency never asks for funds up front - My kiddo will be going to one this summmer and as much as I hate it, this is the wish of the family (mafia sounding isn't it!)
Agencies like Kim Dawson do not ask for money up front - they judge talent when they see it and if you are not up to par then you are not signed - Quit scamming the people - the parents -the kids - for your own greed!

Liz, you are the one who is wrong! Liz,

My oh my, where to begin? First, it's Wilhelmina, not Wilhomena. And yes, WSN was in no way affiliated with Wilhelmina Models NY.

Written word is libel, not slander. Think before you type.

I am not going to rehash the same argument with you again regarding Kids.com. Anyone wanting to see how I put Liz in her place, please see this report:

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff142758.htm

And finally, let me shout this so that everyone (especially you, Liz) will understand. ANY TALENT AGENCY ASKING FOR MONEY UP FRONT IS A SCAM!!!!! No reputable agent will ask for money until they find you work.

Enough said!

Liz, you are the one who is wrong! Liz,

My oh my, where to begin? First, it's Wilhelmina, not Wilhomena. And yes, WSN was in no way affiliated with Wilhelmina Models NY.

Written word is libel, not slander. Think before you type.

I am not going to rehash the same argument with you again regarding Kids.com. Anyone wanting to see how I put Liz in her place, please see this report:

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff142758.htm

And finally, let me shout this so that everyone (especially you, Liz) will understand. ANY TALENT AGENCY ASKING FOR MONEY UP FRONT IS A SCAM!!!!! No reputable agent will ask for money until they find you work.

Enough said!

Liz, you are the one who is wrong! Liz,

My oh my, where to begin? First, it's Wilhelmina, not Wilhomena. And yes, WSN was in no way affiliated with Wilhelmina Models NY.

Written word is libel, not slander. Think before you type.

I am not going to rehash the same argument with you again regarding Kids.com. Anyone wanting to see how I put Liz in her place, please see this report:

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff142758.htm

And finally, let me shout this so that everyone (especially you, Liz) will understand. ANY TALENT AGENCY ASKING FOR MONEY UP FRONT IS A SCAM!!!!! No reputable agent will ask for money until they find you work.

Enough said!

Liz, you are the one who is wrong! Liz,

My oh my, where to begin? First, it's Wilhelmina, not Wilhomena. And yes, WSN was in no way affiliated with Wilhelmina Models NY.

Written word is libel, not slander. Think before you type.

I am not going to rehash the same argument with you again regarding Kids.com. Anyone wanting to see how I put Liz in her place, please see this report:

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff142758.htm

And finally, let me shout this so that everyone (especially you, Liz) will understand. ANY TALENT AGENCY ASKING FOR MONEY UP FRONT IS A SCAM!!!!! No reputable agent will ask for money until they find you work.

Enough said!

After reading all the letters on this site regarding kids.com, I've come to two conclusions: 1. None of you really have your facts straight and 2. You are all suffering from a bad case of "SOUR GRAPES". Just because your child didn't get called for a job doesn't make Kids.com a rip-off. They provide a service that you paid for and they are doing their job. Try working with a regular agent and see how many calls you get - zero. Most agents will take you on, but then do nothing. Kids.com posts the kids on a website for all to see and select from for work. All professionals (in all types of companies) who use websites to obtain work or leads for work, know that they are not free. There is always a fee, so Kids.com is no exception.

Also, don't spout off aboutlabor laws, without knowning what you are talking about. You might be opening a can of worms that you can't close.

Kids.com is working within all laws regarding labor and agencies. The cases that Dayann mentioned were dismissed as being baseless. Think twice before you slander, it could come back to hit you right in the face.

The Wilhomena Scouts issue was a true scam and they were put out of business. BTW, they had no connection with the real Wilhomena Modeling agency that has been around for years and has an excellent reputation.

Karen,

You asked if any of us had "invested" in the Revenge Guide offered by this website. The answer is "Yes, I have". And I used the information contained in it to get my money back ($695 return on a $22 investment is d**n good in my book!).

My story eventually led to a picket of the business in question. On the very first day, the owner came out and offered me my money back. And why would he do that if he was an honest businessman? On my report, even one of his ex-employees said he could sell a condo in hell if it came with A/C.

Bottom line is, any agency that asks for money up front for photographs and "web services" for kids under 6 is a SCAM! Any REPUTABLE talent agency will accept your personal pictures at no charge, and get paid when they find work for your child.

Kids.com, Justourkids.com, ATA, NTA, WSN, etc are all scams, along with any organization that operates in the same manner. Nothing you can say will change that fact.

Oh Karen. I have to say, watching employees and everyone whom has a stake in this company get so defensive must prove that you are finally realizing that ripping people off is not a good thing!

Human beings are a creature of nature. Regardless of whom you work for, nationality, etc.. One who acts like those at Kids.com and even posts on their website a statement under "Important Information" with a paragraph that talks about consumer complaint websites, and not to trust everything you read on the net. Any company that has to put a disclaimer on their site means they are the ones with something to hide.

This is proven in history of scamming companies. They all somehow react the same way.

So Karen, Liz and all at Kids.com and their photographers, your day is coming.
So you understand, that this website is NOT just viewed by smart individuals researching. It is also observed by the authorities, and media.
Oh you should now about the media exposure don't you?

And Karen you asked and I quote "By the way - Have any of you "invested" in the Revenge Guide offered by this web host?"

Why do you ask? Is your decitful mind working? Is that giving you more ideas? Atleast we don't have to pay upfront for services, that in this website's case, that are rendered. Unlike any services that have been rendered by Kids.com.

The truth is many parents don't listen. They come to an appointment and hear what they want to hear. I've worked for this company in several capacities for almost 2 years. They did not move from Cherry Hill to Fairfield, Sandra from Passaid, they have in the past and continue to operate offices in both cities.

We answer any and all questions asked when a parent calls to the best of our abilities. We do not mislead parents. If they ask us about fees, percentages, etc., every effort is given to answer parents truthfully and completely.

I've called hundreds of parents to offer the opportunity to go into New York City for auditions for print ads, television commercials, parts in broadway plays. The majority of the time parents are available and happy to go! Many of these children do get paying jobs! There is always a percentage of parents that I've tried to contact that don't answer their phones, home, cell, work. We have parents that don't return calls. Parents that change home numbers, addresses and don't notify us. Parents that don't go for picture updates. You have to go every 6 months! Children change and grow too quickly and the agencies we work with will not accept OLD pictures.

D - Manasquan, New Jersey - you are wrong. 100% wrong we do not hear about 'open calls' nor do we send our children on 'open calls'. We work directly with agencies in New York City that are seeking children for the advertising and entertainment industy. Parents are given specific times in which to arrive at auditions and their child's name is on a list. If your child's name is not on the list you do not get into the audition.

The TRUTH is there are parents who don't listen, they are told that it may take 1,2, 3 or 4 or even 5 years but they want instant results. They are told that they need to update their pictures but they choose not to do that but spend their time on websites like this posting false accusations.

By the way - Have any of you "invested" in the Revenge Guide offered by this web host?

Please contact me about getting a class action suit together against Kids.com. I was ripped off by their Cherry Hill office. Make sure to file complaints with Consumer Affairs, Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission. The more we keep hammering them with complaints the better. Also, NBC 10 in Philadelphia ran my story about Kids.com on March 15, 2005. Check it out.

Hello Paul,

I see your comments quite often (as I'm sure you see mine), and usually I agree with you the majority of the time. And I also agree this time. However, I would say to please lighten up on this particular issue.

I consider myself a skeptical person when it comes to things like this. But I too was burned by a similar organization here in Scottsdale. When we answered the ad and went in for the interview, I asked lots of questions. All were answered to my satisfaction. After leaving the interview, I checked with the BBB (big mistake I now know) and checked out their website. Everything seemed legit. They were even getting ready to sign a deal with a major modeling agency.

We then expressed our continued interest later that day, and they said they would call back if our child was selected. According to the ad and what we were told, they were looking for kids for an ad with a national clothing retailer. They were asking for $695 for upfront fees (alarms went off when I first heard this) for headshots, and the contract we signed said there were no guaranteed jobs other than the first commercial print appearance.

They called back the next day and said our daughter was selected, and that we needed to come down and sign the contract. So we paid the fee. A month later pictures were taken. Two months later our daughter was placed in an ad for this talent company in a local free publication. Later we came to find out that this was the "commercial print appearance" guaranteed by the contract. Not for the national clothing retailer as we were led to believe. And that we were not to be paid for it. We were livid.

Unfortunately, all of this happened prior to my discovery of the Rip-Off Report. However, searching the internet, I happened to come across it one day and read the reports that were already filed against this company. Then I started my campaign against them.

It eventually led to my picketing the location until the owner finally agreed to refund my $695 (seems I was driving away a LARGE portion of his business). And remember that major modeling agency I spoke of above? Well, after reading all the reports on here, they pulled their affiliation 6 months after granting it.

To everyone who has been ripped off by this fraudulent organization, I say keep up the fight. To Frank Torelli, ED, and all the others who had posted similar experiences to mine, again I say thank you very much for helping me get my money back. Frank Torelli also put me in touch with a reputable children's talent agency here in Phoenix, and we have an appointment next week to discuss possible job opportunities for our daughter (thanks again Frank!).

Back in June 2004 there was a post from Erin in Golden Valley, MN. She did what everyone should do. Take your own pictures and send them to agencies yourselves. That is the best way to get exposure. Companies like Kids.com exist solely to collect money from unsuspecting folks. They do nothing to market you or your child to potential employers.

Good luck to everyone still fighting for justice.

Hi I just wanted to let readers know that Kids.com has moved from the previous address at Fairfield Ave in Fairfiled, NJ. I believe they moved to Cherry Hill. I am not a victim but I work in Fairfiled and drove pass their location to and from work and often wondered what type of businees this was. They had a very attractive blue canapy sign that read KIDS.COM So it always caught my eye.

KIDS.COM a/k/a Justourkids.com
411 Route 70 E. Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill New Jersey 08034

Hi I just wanted to let readers know that Kids.com has moved from the previous address at Fairfield Ave in Fairfiled, NJ. I believe they moved to Cherry Hill. I am not a victim but I work in Fairfiled and drove pass their location to and from work and often wondered what type of businees this was. They had a very attractive blue canapy sign that read KIDS.COM So it always caught my eye.

KIDS.COM a/k/a Justourkids.com
411 Route 70 E. Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill New Jersey 08034

Hi I just wanted to let readers know that Kids.com has moved from the previous address at Fairfield Ave in Fairfiled, NJ. I believe they moved to Cherry Hill. I am not a victim but I work in Fairfiled and drove pass their location to and from work and often wondered what type of businees this was. They had a very attractive blue canapy sign that read KIDS.COM So it always caught my eye.

KIDS.COM a/k/a Justourkids.com
411 Route 70 E. Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill New Jersey 08034

Hi I just wanted to let readers know that Kids.com has moved from the previous address at Fairfield Ave in Fairfiled, NJ. I believe they moved to Cherry Hill. I am not a victim but I work in Fairfiled and drove pass their location to and from work and often wondered what type of businees this was. They had a very attractive blue canapy sign that read KIDS.COM So it always caught my eye.

KIDS.COM a/k/a Justourkids.com
411 Route 70 E. Cherry Hill
Cherry Hill New Jersey 08034

I'm mean, come on. The modeling con has been going on for as long as I've been alive. I'm surprised that they are able to find people who haven't heard of it by now.

Basically, it wouldn't matter what your kid looked like. Hell, you could bring a monkey in, and nobody would say a word about it.

Of course, they'd demand the $600. And, tell you the monkey will be a star, for sure. No doubt about it.

All you end up doing is throwing away good money. Hell, you'd be much better off if you bought something for your child instead of throwing it away to some fraud.

All the warning signs are there. The hard sell. The guaranteed promises. A blind and deaf man could see this was a con from outside in the parking lot. I don't understand how people can fail to see this. It's like a freakin' train heading right for you. How could anybody miss it?

In the future learn to be more wary when someone asks you to spend your money. It's either smarten up or keep bouncing from one fraud to the next until all your money runs out.

Even if you fail to see the train bearing down on you, there is still hope. All you need to do is spend a week thinking it over. You see, these frauds always leave people with a bad feeling. All you need is time to get away. Once you go home, you'll smarten up and see that the whole thing is a fraud.

Remember, when in doubt, sleep on it. Even when you don't have a doubt, it's still a good idea to sleep on it. People could eliminate so much fraud if they'd just take 24 hours to think before throwing away their hard earned money.

I was one the first 5 or so people to post here on Kids.com . I couldn't find any info about the company prior to paying my $595. BBB (weak) had no complaints. Back then all i knew was if the BBB didn't have any complaint then IT MUST be legit. Well I soon found out it doesn't work that way.

It's been 3 years since I got scammed. I spent weeks trying to alert fellow parents on doing their research.

I understand your optimism. They have a pretty good racket going on there. It all looks legit.
We were blind sided big time. We are counting it as a hard lesson learned.

I wish you the best of luck. Hopefully you will be able to get some work outside of Kids.com informing you of open casting. That's all they basically do. Anyone can go.

These magazines and the like don't 'contact' Kids.com and request talent. That's nonsense. Kids.com hears about open casting and they tell you. Then they take half of your money.
Good Luck

I just signed my daughters contract being fully aware that she may or may not get work because they cant promise anything... for those who say they have contacted people they have "supposedly worked with and they denied it there is reason behind that kids.com is the end of the food chain.. the company its self doesnt not work directly with kids.com and those of you who had interviews should have been told that because i was...after reading all over you comments i called the better business bureau and all the things you suggested but not one bad thing was reported against them... there is a company out there called adkids.com which was started by a former employee who started most of this mess... i just thought id be a proud parent and step up and give them a good comment because i have faith.. that they will find my daughter work

thanks

I take these scams very personal. So I hope this helps you all out. But I have to tell you, for the suggestions I am abt to forward to you, they must be followed with FULL TENACITY!! If you really want to help get your money back and/or bring them to justice, NEVER GIVE UP and make it a mission!

These procedures below were followed with a company called Harvard Professional Group. You can find all of the postings on ripoffreport.com and the procedures are also found under the 10-23-04 posting under the Harvard Professional Group listing (see link below). Read them and educate yourself with what works to get your money back! This forum and following all of the procedures will hopefully guarantee or more of your money returned and bring these scam artists to justice.

You NEED to act NOW if you really want your money back. If you all plan to get together, and set a Class Action Suit, or take them to Small Claims Court, make sure you just don't place Kids.com on the suit. Place all that you dealt with and the President! It is never too late! So go after them and don't stop!

Read the following

A group of individuals were successful to gather a team and combined their forces(all thanks to this website and through email). They succeeded in many ways which also includes their money returned. They even had Harvard Professional exposed on UPN 9 news Early December of 2004 and have them on camera deceiving prospective clients.

I encourage you all to contact one another and hit them all at once as a team as these individuals have. FOLLOW the PROCEDURES if you truly want your money back and to bring them to justice!

I highly suggest that anyone who has experienced the same, to contact the BBB. This cheating company will have 30 days to respond (they will take the full time) and the BBB will send you the letter that this company sent them trying to justify themselves.

Once you get their poor response letter, you have only 10 days to send them another letter stating that you are not satisfied with their response and that this company has deceived you and you want your money returned because of their deception and false promises (send it certified, or signature required like a return receipt). You will need to go through this 3 times before the BBB will send you a letter to contact the NJ division of Consumer affairs and leave this complaint unresolved (you do not have to wait for the BBB to suggest for you to contact the NJ Dept. of Consumer Affairs, & NJ Attorney General, so do it ASAP).

The BBB needs atleast 3 active unresolved complaints (the complaints have to go through this entire process). This will then force the BBB to change their rating. STAY on top of the BBB!!! In addition to that contact the media, like NY Times, Star Ledger, NY Post, Fox 5 news, ABC news, etc.. as they have programs like Shame on You. Bad publicity is no good for their type of business and especially on the BBB website when they have an abundance of complaints.

In addition to that, try to get pictures of them displayed throughout the media and any other ways to make it more challenging for them to try this again with another type of business.

There is no guarantee they will give you back your hard earned money, that they had to lie to steal from you, but this will hopefully disrupt their scam and the authorities will get involved.

Don't forget to also submit a form to the FTC

https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01

Contact the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs
1-800-242-5846
visit: www.NJConsumerAffairs.gov
e-mail: askconsumeraffairs@lps.state.nj.us

Here is a link to the FBI in which they call what these companies do as FRAUD! Here is the link to fill out the FORM. This is a long and detailed form. However, FILL IT OUT to the best of your knowledge.

http://www.ifccfbi.gov/cf1.asp:

I hope this helps and I hope you follow the suggestions.

NEVER GIVE UP and you shall prevail. DO IT AS A TEAM AND YOU WILL GET BETTER RESULTS.

My family has also fallen victim to Kids.com. Please contact me if any class action suit is starting. I would also like to know how they got my son's name. Does the hospital or photographer who takes pictures at the hospital sell our kids names? I am looking into this. Kids.com contacted me when my son was only five months old. No company would have know my son's name other than the hospital and the photographer at the hospital. Who gave them permission to sell our kids names???? "Ed" in the Cherry Hill office said I had to direct my complaints and demands for a refund to that scumbag Larry Bagwell. Of course he has not called me back.

The correct response to a company breaking the laws in Illinois is to file a complaint with the state agency responsible for enforcing the laws in
Illinois--in this case, the Illinois Department of Labor.

Kids.com Chicago is a private employment agency. It is a private agency which attempts to get kids employment as models or actors by booking or
placing them. But it does not have a private employment agency license. The Illinois Department of Labor, which enforces the Illinois Private Employment Agencies Act, says on their website:

"An agency license is required to engage "for gain or profit" in the business of securing or attempting to secure employment for persons seeking employment, or attempting to secure employees for employers (including "applicant paid" fee agencies, "domestic services" agencies, theatrical agencies, and all agencies that recommend individuals for placement who are
under the age of 18 or who do not have a high school diploma)."

Kids.com is an agency that for profit recommends individuals for placement who are under the age of 18. It is a modeling agency for kids, and it only deals with kids. All of the individuals they recommend for placement are under the age of 18. It's "Kids.com."

Therefore Kids.com Chicago is 100% illegal. They cannot do any business or charge any fees without an employment agency license. Any and all business
they have done in Chicago was illegal. Any and all fees taken by Kids.com in Chicago were therefore taken illegally. They had no legal right to take your money. Therefore you have a right to take your money back.

To get your money back, file a complaint with the Department of Labor. Make sure you specifically complain about Kids.com being an unlicensed, illegal Private Employment Agency, unauthorized to enter contractual agreements with you, unauthorized to charge you any fees. With your complaint include your contract (proof of Kids.com's illegal business) and receipt (more proof of Kids.com's illegal business).

Illinois Department of Labor Fair Labor Standards Division/Private Employment Agency Section
160 N. LaSalle
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 793-2810

Quite funny, given the similar and detailed descriptions of people's experience with kids.com, you would think the BBB would not have listed the following on their records of kids.com:

"To help you detect fraudulent opportunities, the Better Business Bureau warns that disreputable agencies often:

Ask for up-front money, which may be called registration, consultation, or administrative fees. Legitimate agents work on a commission. They don't get any money until you get paid for
doing the work they have obtained for you."

Yet, they have apparently backtracked b/c they state that "Based on BBB files, this company has a satisfactory record with the Bureau. Any complaints processed by the Bureau in its three-year reporting period have been resolved. The number and type of complaints are not unusual for a company in this industry. Complaints processed concern performance issues."

Performance issues? I thought that the absolute failure to provide performace issues AND their insistance on cash up-front was the issue.

Also, someone filed bankruptcy back in August, Chicago division, where several hundred parents listed claims of $500+ for the same scam!! Could this be one of the employees for kids.com at their Illinois office! This individual has done it twice before, each time listing several individual declaring that they had been scammed.

Kids.com appears to a Mysimon retail web site. The Domain Kids.com is worth more than Justourkids.com It appears that they do not own the domain. Just call themselves Kids.com. and being Trade marked , Yeah right. and no copyright info either. Parents be smart and do research before you pay money. In just minutes you can see they are full of Sh**. and their website design is of the cheapest template, circa 1999. and why would a model agency be out of NJ. Think People Think.

I am also one of the many parents who have been ripped off by Kids.com aka JustOurKids.com.
About 2 years ago, I went to their offices hoping to have my daughter (then 4) get some modeling work or commercial acting work. I met with a man who was supposed to be in charge of signing up new 'talent'. Naturally, he fawned all over her about how cute she is, very pretty and photogenic, friendly, etc, etc.

Then he told us about the $595 fee. Oh no, this wasn't a charge for them to represent her.... it was for "administrative costs, running the website, mailings, pictures, etc". It sounded legit, although I did have a nagging feeling (that I should have listened to!!)

Needless to say, 2 years have gone by and nothing! The only contact I've received from them is to get her pictures updated at their photographer, etc.

I've called them and questioned why my daughter hasn't gotten any work and they come up with one lame excuse after the next. One time, they sent her on an 'audition' (which I later found out was an advertised open call that ANYONE could have gone to). Another time, they asked what size shoes she wore because they're looking for kids for a shoe ad. When I said 2... they said "oh, the kids they're looking for have to be a 1" (how convenient was that?

Kids.com is a big rip-off agency and I hope other parents will read this site before getting ripped off too!

Obviously this Bagwell character is a rotten egg and needs to go down like a fart in church, but when do all you Mommies and Daddies own up for your part in the scam? You fell for it! Yes, they used your love for your babies. There are all kinds of laws that these jokers are in violation of, but what you seem to be yelling hardest about is the one thing that's perfectly legal. If you people persist in believing that your perfectly ordinary children are the next Brooke Shields on the Ivory Snow box, it's your own fault if you get sucked in any farther than receipt of the first letter. Bagwell and his cronies are definitely violating laws, but as long as there are gullible parents with brand new accessories that need daycare and diapers, there will be somebody out there more than willing to separate them from their cash. Good luck getting your money back.

I have three sons. I think they're all gorgeous. But that's me. There are plenty of other people in the world who would be happy to disagree with me.

oh how excited i was. silly me :) someone wanted my lil cuties. i hear it all the time oh he is so cute oh wow you have beautiful boys they should model yada yada yada. well when i get my "letter" it was confirmed. they are a HIT. lucky me i got the letter on a friday so when i called the office was closed. so after telling a few obviously jealous people (silly me again they were not jealous they obviously saw the writing on the wall) i started thinking again, angrily might i add "how in the H*LL did the get my address? if they just noticed my cutie pies how did they go about finding us." so monday i called. i asked through my teeth , i really worked myself up now lol. and she said equally threw her teeth 'we buy info names etc from companies that cater to kids' thank you i said and good bye. so thats how they found my babies. i never went any further, but i want parents out there who can be potentially scammed to know your babies are special to you let that be enough. don't even attempt to exploit your childen for a buck or to make you look great. or you will look silly with me. real talent scouts if this is what you want hold casting calls in big cities or spot you on the street. i thought i knew everything and everyone that glitters is not gold but every once in a while i want gold. yikes.

I can't believe so many people fall for this age-old scam. I've known about these scams all my life. I've read many news accounts about them as well. If it looks to good to be true, it IS too good to be true.

Has anyone done a background check on Larry Bagwell? Does he have a criminal record? Anyone who has access to so much personal data about young children must be the subject of a thorough criminal background check.

Does anyone know if Bagwell worked at National Talent Associates? Did he work for Jerry Ashfield? Is Jerry Ashfield now working for Kids.com? When you see all the similarities between NTA and Kids.com, it looks as if
Ashfield and Bagwell were in bed together and may still be. It is obvious that Larry Bagwell was intimately acquainted with National Talent Associates because he copied it. It is also interesting that Bagwell was ready to pick
up where NTA left off immediately. How could that have happened unless Bagwell worked at National Talent Associates?

He told the Philadelphia Inquirer that NTA staff work for him. Did he forget to tell the Inquirer he worked for NTA?

Anyone who is familiar with the Wilhelmina Scouting Network scam knows that when it shut down, similar companies started popping up. They were so similar, you had to wonder if the leaders used to work for WSN. Turns out they did!

Examples: Katie Ludwig, Michele Fields (Michele Pressly), Anthony Toma, Edriss Farazi, Steve Huffman, Jeff Cohen, and on and on and on.

Does nobody else find it suspicious that Kids.com's website does not list any credentials for any of their leaders, including Larry Bagwell, the CEO, and Al Bagwell, the President and owner?

Have none of you parents ever bothered to call Bagwell and ask him his credentials? Have you all sent pictures of your children to his company
without doing a criminal background check?

None of the news reports by WCCO or the Philadelphia Inquirer or any of the other websites have any background information about the Bagwells. If you find out their background, post it here.

I see names associated with this site, but the site that I don't see a name is ezbc.com
http://www.easybackgroundcheck.com/

I think that is the site Al and Larry are pissed about. I think they know better than to mess with Ripoffreport.com. I don't think they have ever lost a major case in court. Ed, Frank, Stick, is that right?

I guess in their defense they thought that it was necessary to post a disclaimer on their site...

"You may find websites that claim to be a source for industry research and news; however, they fail to identify themselves for whatever reason. Also, there are websites that provide for the posting of anonymous consumer complaints, without verification, which encourages irresponsible, inaccurate, and often-defamatory messages. If necessary, call the telephone number on the website, if they have one listed. Any website that uses only an email address and does not identify itself fully with names, street address, and telephone numbers, should be
regarded with suspicion."

Could they possibly be thinking of this site and all you fine people?

We need to get together and stop this company from ripping other people off. I wrote a letter to the BBB and nothing was accomplished by them. I have the same story like everyone else, so I don't feel the need to repeat. I Just need to know how we can all stand up and fight for our money back. Just last week, I took my son to get a so called updated photo.

I made a comment to the photographer about how I thought this was such a waste of time and her response was "really there's a women that comes in and talks about how her child gets called all the time. So I started thinking, ok maybe it's the luck of the pick, but then when I went to go into the web site and this came up, I was like thank god, something is finally coming up on this phony company. Because the BBB is doing a terrible job on informing us about them. BBB sent me a letter about kids.com policy, that was the extent to their investigation.

Hi all! I received a letter similar to the one that everyone is talking about here. I went to the Kids.com website (www.justourkids.com) and checked out what they supposedly offered. I then checked here because they have a link to the BBB for their Chicago offices only. I came here and tried a search but it doesn't seem to be working right now, then I saw that Kids.com is one of the Top Ripoff report.

Anyway, I went back to the Kids.com website and they have a whole page(under Important Information) on how the TV report,this website and other sources are giving false and inaccurate info on their company and a classaction lawsuit against NTA (they say it was through Class Action Complaint but you can't see it for free) was dropped due to unsubstantiation. I also checked out the BBB for this area: http://www.trenton.bbb.org/nis/newsearch2.asp?ID=1&ComID=0221000029000570

Here's the info from there:
Original Business
Start Date: 7/1/1999
Type of Entity: LLC
Principal: Alfred Bagwell, President
Local Phone Number: (856) 795-5599
Fax Number: (856) 795-9696
TOB Classification(s): Personal Management Services


The information in this report has either been provided by the company, or has been compiled by the Bureau from other sources.

Customer Experience

Based on BBB files, this company has a satisfactory record with the Bureau. Any complaints processed by the Bureau in its three-year reporting period have been resolved. The number and type of complaints are not unusual for a company in this industry.

To have a Satisfactory Record with the Bureau, a company must be in business for at least 12 months, properly and promptly address matters referred to it by the Bureau, and be free from an unusual volume or pattern of complaints and law enforcement action involving its marketplace conduct. In addition, the Bureau must have a clear understanding of the company's business and no concerns about its industry.

Additional Business Names

Kids.com.

Additional Addresses

343 Passaic Avenue, Fairfield, NJ 07004.

Additional File Information

The company has informed the Bureau they bought the assets of
National Talent Associates located in Fairfield, NJ.

Educational/General Comments

There are ethical and legitimate talent and modeling agencies in the entertainment business. Before becoming involved with an agency, know exactly what they should be doing for you. An
agency should be engaged in the marketing and booking of talent.
Usually a state license is required to book work for a fee. The agent's role is to promote the talent who has contracted for their marketing services, negotiate the most favorable contract
for the talent and collect a commission from the talent. You should interview your agent as thoroughly as you would interview your doctor, lawyer, or CPA. Remember, the agent will be working for you, not vice versa. Carefully review your contract with your agent. This is your agreement regarding what the agent will do to earn the commission you pay.

To help you detect fraudulent opportunities, the Better Business Bureau warns that disreputable agencies often:

Ask for up-front money, which may be called registration, consultation, or administrative fees. Legitimate agents work on a commission. They don't get any money until you get paid for
doing the work they have obtained for you.

Pressure you to leave a check or cash deposit or sign a contract immediately. The agent may insist that you take acting lessons at a particular school or from a particular teacher; or may try
to get you to buy expensive photographs, audition tapes, or other services or materials sold by someone he or she suggests.
An agent's time should be spent finding work for his or her client, not selling products and services.

Display pictures of famous models or celebrities on the walls to make you believe they are represented by that agency, although they're not.

Use names which sound similar to well-known agencies. Fraudulent companies will sometimes do this to give the incorrect impression that they are connected to a legitimate entity.

Place phony ads in the help wanted section of newspapers that say something like, new faces wanted for commercials, movies or modeling or claim that no experience is necessary.
Problems or complaints about an agent or an agency may be referred to the BBB, state Department of Licensing and Regulation or consumer protection agency in the city where the
company is located. To obtain helpful consumer information on a particular agency, you will need to contact the local BBB that serves that particular city.

Report as of: 7/21/2004

Copyright: 2004 BBB of New Jersey,Inc.

As a matter of policy, the Better Business Bureau does not endorse any product, service, or company. BBB reports generally cover a three-year reporting period, and are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information contained in this report is believed reliable but not guaranteed as to accuracy. Reports are subject to change at any time.

The Better Business Bureau reports on members and non-members. Membership in the BBB is voluntary, and members must meet and maintain BBB standards. If a company is a member of the BBB, it is stated in this report.

*If you notice the other "higher-ups" are related to Larry Bagwell. Also read the Education/General Comments section- it specifically says that if they ask for money up front they're phony.

On the Kids.com website they try to get around being called an agency so that they don't need to get licensed- quote from their website on the article from Philadelphia Inquirer -"--That Kids.com operates unlicensed in New Jersey. Again, this is an opinion expressed by the anonymous website used as the sole source for the article. Personal management companies, who operate thru licensed agencies, are not required to have an agency license.""
They are phony to a Capital T.
Sincerely in Christ,
Mrs Leesa C.

My wife and I were also lured into the kids.com scam, paying $595 to have our daughter, Kimberly, placed on the website with hopes of a modeling or TV career in the future. Unfortunately, we were stupid enough to believe that we just didn't get any call 6 months after the first photo shoot, that we actually went back a second time. ANd yes, we bought those beautiful photos BOTH times.
You know, it's not even the $595 as much as the fact that a group of low lifes preys on parents who want the best for their kids.

Five years ago I heard about a wonderful agency for children. I responded by attending an interview for my daughter and was joyous that this agency adored her. I was given a high description of what could happen to her career and that the "$500.00" we would spend would be made back in no time because she was a "Star".

Any parent would love to hear those words. It was made to sound that if I didnt pay the money then the chance of her getting any work would be limited and the web page (kids.com) is the best way to start. So I paid the cost and she took 15 photos at Triangle Studio for a $15.00 fee and another $30 for the negatives.

We never heard a word whenever I phoned I was told the director was unavailable and when I finally spoke to someone I was given an extra year if I paid the $15 fee for the sitting. I never heard from the agency and my daughter supposely webpage is not accessible.

I wondered long ago how to go about this deed and I appreciate the chance of vent.I just went to the web again and there isnt any activity. So where is my daughter on the web?

I received a letter a few weeks ago from this KIDS.COM company. They said that my child had been brought to their attention......then call between the hours of 9:30 - 2:30 pm. to get more info. Out of curiousity, I called the Lincolnwood, IL number (she said this is where their office is located) and then something about another site in Chicago. This woman Robin asked me a few questions about my children after giving her that "code".

Then they were interested in meeting with us. I told her I had been in the advertising business for 7 years and was familiar with the business. I said I would think about it and let her know if I was interested. She then let me know they charge a "one time" fee of 595.00 for 5 year contract.

After she told me this, I brought up kids.com online and found this site. I wanted to really say THANK YOU for the warnings. I am a very suspicious person by nature anyway and now know to DEFINITELY NOT even touch them with a 10 foot pole!!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!

I am sorry however you were scammed. What I have to say is GET EM GOOD!!!!

I also was scammed by KIDS.com, I will spare you the letter, office visit, sales pressure, postdated check story, because it happened almost identically (to the tee) to the other previous stories. The only difference is I grew impatient very quickly of waiting for the phone to ring. So I took matters into my own hands and started snapping away with my own little camera, and mailed the photos off to every agency in the area. Within, 2 weeks, we had 2 calls for agencies wanting to send my daughter on auditions. The first one she went on she got the job!! It was for target!! Two years and about 12 paying modeling gigs later, that I secured, I still have yet, to receive any phone calls or contacts, about possible auditions or jobs from kids.com. I paid them $600, to do the job that I ended up doing better myself for free!! I live in Minnesota where the news expose was conducted and aired, and I do believe there may be a class action suit coming up, but I already filed a suit against KIDS.com in small claims court, it is coming up at the end of the month, and I will update! I really would like to get the $600 I was scammed out of to invest in professional photos to forward to one of the legitimate agencies we're now working with. I really think its disgusting what Kids.com is doing, and I don't know how they sleep at night. I encourage everyone that was ripped off by KIDS.com to do the same.

Kids.com sent me a letter in December 2004. I thought someone I knew gave them my child's name, because he was just born. So, I called the phone number on the letter. The person who answered the phone said that the representives were out of the office and took my phone number and said someone would call me back. I asked how they got my name, they wouldn't tell me. Thank God they never called back. Anyway, I would not have chosen to give out a large amount of money for pictures, professional or not, $600 is a lot to spend on pictures.

I first heard of Kids.com back in 1999. I got a letter from them after my oldest son was born. I never tried to contact them back then because I knew if I choose to put my children into modeling or acting, there would be some start up fees that I couldn't afford at the time.

Hi, I just want to thank everyone who has posted their comments on this website. The more consumers speak out against fraud, the greater the chances are that these folks will be put to justice.

I was just on the evening news last night with another family who was an unfortunate victim of the Kids.com scam. When the reporter went to the main offices in New Jersey, Larry Bagwell didn't even try to be civil and answer questions -- or even have a security guard say, "you're not permitted on the premises -- speak to Mr. Bagwell's lawyer" or anything like that. This guy just started smacking the cameraman around!
He is soooo guilty!

I just wanted to add more information to my initial report and to offer suggestions to folks who are victims of the Kids.com scam or any other scam.

Re: Information.

Although I spoke to Dan Voigt to ask for my money back, threatened to go to the press, filed written complaints against Kids.com, etc., I am still getting those stupid form letters telling me to bring my daughter in for more fancy photos. She was, however, taken off of the "justourkids" website the day after I spoke with reporters.

The form letters I have been getting are slightly different in content -- they now are saying that they need "more newborns" and are urging parents who are expecting another child or who know someone who is expecting a child to "register" the newborn with them (for another $595 per kid). This is probably how kids are "brought to [their] attention" -- once a family is registered for a while they start doing the Fabrege thing (you tell two friends, and they tell two friends, and so on...).

I have learned that Kids. com operates at least two other websites under different names/url's. So the scam may be even larger than we think.

I not only want my money back but I want my kids photos -- or I want to see them brought to a public place and destroyed -- negatives, web thumbnails, everything. Because I am at this point more concerned about what these con artists are going to do with my baby's pictures in the future than I am about the money. Your face and your identity are sacred and these are ripoff artists and I don't want them to use my kid's image.

Kids.com claims that they actively try to place kids on "go sees". I can take my child on a "go see" if I read backstage and show up on time for the casting call -- for free. I also note that I never signed any authorization or release form that stated that Kids.com had permission to use my child's image on the internet, or to pass her photo or other information on to agencies, casting directors, etc. If they really intended to get work for my daughter, those forms would have been standard operating procedure. The fact that we never saw an authorization or release form proves to me that these folks, from the beginning, never intended to get work for our daughter.

I just want to remind parents on how they can fight back if they are scammed.

Leave a paper trail. Save all the documents, everything you signed, copies of cancelled checks and receipts, everything. Keep a log of any phone calls and get the names and titles of the folks you've spoken to if you call with questions or problems.

Complain in writing to whoever you can grab. File a police report if you can. File complaints with the Better Business Bureau, your state attorney general's office, your local consumer affairs office, and the Federal Trade Commission (because it crosses state lines and is being done over the internet they have some jurisdiction). IF you want to deal with the expense, etc., and there is not going to be a class action in your area try to sue them in small claims/civil court -- bring all your documentation and copies of the ripoff report and transcripts of the news reports (you can call the news channels and ask for transcripts or videos and pay a fee to have them mailed to you). Write letters to the editors of the local papers in the area you live in or the area near the office, informing other parents of the scam. Write letters to the editors of some of the magazines and legitimate agencies that Kids.com has posted up on their website or in their literature. Include copies of the literature you received. They can get sued for misrepresenting legitimate agencies if they are falsely putting in writing or on the internet that they work with these companies when they really don't. If you post up on the ripoff report, give them your name and phone number -- if there is a class action or if there is a news report, they may contact you for an interview. Another thing you can do, if you want to know if there is a class action in your area, is go to a website called BigClassAction. It lists the class actions that are pending or being formed by state/location. You can add your name to a list of complainants on the website and the lawyer or agency handling the class action will get back to you. If there is no class action in effect, you can add a blurb of some sort to BigClassAction and if more people complain and a lawsuit is eventually started, you may be included.

Don't just do one or two of these things -- do a BUNCH of them. The more you get the word out and the more you leave a paper trail, the better. Be sure not to exaggerate in your comments or say things that you can't prove -- and to provide backup documentation if you are sending information to government consumer agencies. This shows that you are credible and sincere in your attempt to end a scam, and not just some kook who is mad that their kid wasn't made famous.

Don't give up. Sometimes it takes a long time to get these guys. It took 30 years to shut down NTA and I am sure these folks got wiser on how to avoid an injunction when they changed their name to Kids.com.

What I don't understand is how they get out of going to JAIL for all these years of defrauding hardworking parents out of their money. I thought fraud across state lines was a major crime, perhaps I was wrong.

Keep those complaints and updates coming. The more people complain and follow through with their complaints the greater the chances of consumers getting their money back -- either via small claims courts (bringing the documentation from here with them to give to the judge as evidence) or via class action suits.

Thank you Frank Torelli for your hard work on the ripoff report/bad business bureau website. I note all the changes (photos and stuff) that you've made since I first posted my story on your site -- it looks great. You are doing good work for hardworking people and I thank you and the other reporters so much for your efforts in exposing this scam.

Kids.com used the love for my child to rip my family off. But they forgot that when a parent feels their child has been used for wrongdoing, they fight like a mother bear protecting its cub.

GO MOMS!

My wife and I received two letters. We called after receiving the second letter and scheduled an interview. After having to reschedule several times (due to weather - should have seen the signs), we finally scheduled on a day we had off at the Chicago offices.
I'll admit that I was prejudiced by the absence of any semblance of a separate office for all the people I imagined would be working at a personal management firm providing children to agencies and casting directors. In fact, there was a conference room and a receptionist desk and a room with toys for the kids.

The question I never managed to get around to asking was: "Exactly how many of the kids in these pictures on the walls come from kids.com?" Anybody can blow up pictures of magazines and put them on their walls. And when looking at their "portfolio" I should have asked, "How many of these kids are actually from this particular office?"

I did get smart though. When told about the fee, we asked for 24 hours to think about it and talk with some family.

Our interviewer responded, "Oh, do you have family with us?"
"No."
"Then I don't understand why you need to talk with anyone. Who did you want to talk to?"
"My father and my brother."
"Are they in the business?"
"No, my father's a lawyer and my brother is in advertising."
Boy did he get nervous. A legitimate business will let you take the contract home, bring a lawyer in and if they want your money bad enough they'll wait for it.
And 20%? Talent agents will ask for 10. So even if you did get work, and the "personal management" firm gets their 20 for putting you in touch with an agent asking for 10, that's 30 percent you're out plus the 600+ you spent on your five year contract. Does the devil even ask for a contract like that?

HI
I am from Philadelphia but I signed my daughter up to kids.com in the N.J. office it has been almost two years ago, and got no response from them I called with concerns and they blow it off.
I want to help bring them down.

I posted on this site last week. But I really want to get in on the "action!" My husband and I signed my son up just 6 months ago. We just received the letter asking us to get more photo's taken. Our photographer was in NJ, but he didn't have anything good to say about Kids.com. So I don't think there's a connection there.



Dayann - is there a way to get ahold of you?? I have also contacted AG-NY, need to contact AG-NJ. But it may be helpful to get more people together to try to take these people down. I do know another NJ family who may be willing to get involved as well. I have a yahoo e-mail account. mistyshockey is my user name.



Thanks . .



Oh, I also e-mailed Dateline. They did a piece on NTA before they were shut down.

First Minnesota lays down the law, next Larry Bagwell will be mowing a lawn in an orange jumpsuit at Club Fed, hopefully.





Minnesota office, and center of the recent controversy

(courtesy of WCCO)





People like this piece of $h*t, Bagwell should know that they can't screw too many people before they start standing up on their hind legs.



Check out the major steel cahones on Terri Gruca's reporting:

http://www.wcco.com/iteam



Power to the People!

Actually I called them myself. I looked up modeling in the telephone book. I like many other I have read about am constantly told that I should get my son into modeling.



I was told that all that I needed to bring was 10-12 pictures, my son, and my husband. (it was stressed that both parents had to be there).



When we got there we met with a woman named C who sat down with us. She went through the whole process and than told me that my son was "just what they are looking for" "hes got a lot of potential" "he is very smart" etc.. basically everything that proud parents would want to hear.



She than proceeded to request $595.00 from us. She said that this included them taking his pictures every six months for the entire 5 year contract. Also this included them setting up his own website. It absolutely sounded acceptable to me. I was going to accept the offer.



I told her that my husband and I were very interested and that we would go home and talk about it and call her in the morning. This is when she became very irate and belligerent. I explained that $595.00 was a lot to come up with on the spot and she told me that I could write a check for $250.00 and post date checks for the remainder. ( I pointed out that I was not comfortable doing this since post dating checks is illegal and she than suggested that I just give her my credit card number)When I refused this she said "you called us, did you not? What have you been talking about all week?" I responded that my son was very important to me and that I needed to have my father in law review the documents. She responded with "Those papers do not leave this office, if you do not sign now, we do not have a deal."



I politely thanked her for her time and stood up to leave, she snapped back at me with "Well, maybe this isn't the industry for you, you are constantly asked to sign releases in this business."



Is that not unbelievable? Luckly I was smart enough to see through their scam and walked away not losing anything, but I feel very bad for people who get taken in by these people. They use your children to steal your money.



My thought is that they accept any child who walks through their doors and posts them on their website. As long as they get their 600 bucks they dont care if the kids get jobs or not.



I learned my lesson.. I know that my son is beautiful and I dont need anyone else to tell me that!!

I contacted the main office for Kids.com in Fairfield, NJ yesterday and asked them for more information about their management agency. I was urged repeatedly to update my child's photos (i.e., pay for another shoot), and was told that my child was 'really cute' and had potential to get work if I persisted. They said that no one had made any inquiries about my child, and were not able to give me any information about how actively they had been sending her photos, etc., to modeling agencies, etc.



I asked them repeatedly, 'Out of all the kids that are registered with your firm under these 5-year contracts, how many of them actually get booked for modeling and acting work?" They repeatedly refused to answer the question and refused to give me a ballpark idea -- they said they didn't keep any records of that information. When I persisted, I was put through to a gentleman named Dan Viogt (sp?). He refused to give me an answer to the above question. I asked him what Kids.com's connection to NTA was, and he stated there was no connection. I stated that the literature and introductory packages were the same, the addresses of the offices were the same, the logo and letterhead were the same, and the website was the same as the one for NTA Kids, the company that had basically been shut down and repeatedly monitored and fined by the FTC from 1974 to 1999. He said there were differences but wouldn't tell me what the differences were. Mr. Voigt stated that National Talent Associates, Inc. (NTA) was sold by Mr. Jerome Ashfield in June of 1999, when Mr. Ashfield "retired after 35 successful years in the business." I mentioned to Mr. Voigt that I had a copy of a court injunction in my hand dated May 1999, one month prior to the time the business was sold. Mr. Voigt said this injunction had nothing to do with Kids.com. He also said that all of NTA's clients, etc., were also sold/passed over to Kids.com. They service all the same people that NTA did "at no additional cost."



I asked Mr. Voigt if he could provide references or some other concrete proof that Kids.com actually has booked children with Sesame Street, Miss Saigon, MGM Studios, Nickelodeon, Parenting Magazine, Parents Magazine, Gerber, and Fischer Price, as claimed on the website and as claimed by Mr. Bodenmiller, the 'talent scout' or 'managing agent' who came to our home to see our child in April 2002. He did not provide me with any references phone numbers or other concrete proof. He said that when Mr. Bodenmiller, the "talent/managing agent" came to my home in April, he had a portfolio which showed ads from various posters and magazines, and that alongside those posters were the original headshots of the child from Kids.com's internal files, and that this should serve as sufficient proof that the job had been booked through Kids.com!



I told him that the agent showed us no such thing, only a bunch of laminated ads from magazines, I could make up the same "portfolio" myself at home. He stated that to question whether it was true that Kids.com actually worked with these famous entertainment companies was 'not a good question to be asking.' He



didn't say WHY this was not a valid question. Mr. Voigt stated that I must not have a good memory of what the agent who came to my house showed us, after all it happened almost two years ago. However, he did not offer to have me come to the office or have the agent come back with sufficient proof of the fact that the children in the ads I was shown were indeed registered with Kids.com AND that the jobs they got were booked through a Kids.com managing agent.



He stated that if I refused to buy more pictures or send my child to more photo shoots (every six months for about $21 a sitting), that I was in 'breach of contract' although the 'contract' I have with Kids.com is not anywhere near a valid contract -- no notary or witness to the signatures, and all it says is what Kids.com will provide (fancy photos and an internet posting), it does not say that the parents signing their kids are obliged to do anything other than give them $595 and 15% cut of any money the child makes IF she gets a job through Kids.com.



Mr. Voigt stated that they get 500 calls a day, offering jobs to their kids, but that many times the parents can't or don't take the job offer. He also said that my child's inability to get any work was directly related to my refusal to pay for any more sittings with Kids.com's hand-picked photographers.



Basically, he transferred the blame for my child's not being properly represented or marketed by his company on to me. He gave me no indication that this company aggressively or actively seeks work for the kids registered with Kids.com. He implied that all they do is take professional photos and put the children on a website, that is advertised to agencies -- and then they just sit and wait until there is a call. I could do this myself for much less money!



When I point blank made it clear that I thought this was just the same scam being run by NTA, except under a different name, and asked for my money back, I was told that I wasn't keeping my end of the deal by paying for more photography sittings, and I was told that I "had to take my chances like everyone else." Despite the fact that my child was never given any work, the "manager" who is supposed to be representing her and who signed her (L. Bodenmiller -- don't even have the guy's full name on the business card!), and despite the fact that we only had one photo session taken, Mr. Voigt did not even offer to give me PARTIAL payment of my money back. He ended the call by stating that I had to take more pictures.



I think the whole thing has to do with helping a ring of photographers make money, but I don't want to blame a reputable photographer for Kids.com's scam if there isn't really a connection. The photographer my daughter was sent to was Visage Studios on Long Island in New York, if anyone has any information on the photographer or why he/she would be associated with such a scam operation, please let me know -- once again, it may not be the photographer's fault, but why would they insist on more photos if there wasn't a connection?



In any case, I am now going to put my request for my money back in writing and I am going to fax it and send it by certified mail to Mr. Bodenmiller (wherever he is) and Mr. Voigt. I am also in the process of filing a complaint with the FTC, the Better Business Bureau, and the Attorney Generals Offices of both New York and New Jersey.



I suggest anyone who feels they've been scammed by this company to do the same thing, if there is a long paper trail made by a large number of consumers who have had similar complaints, this will prompt the government offices to investigate and if necessary take action against the company.



I am also considering going to the press (i.e., ASK ASA), in an attempt to get at least some of my money back and at the same time expose these people on the news. Too many people who are scammed don't complain, and this silence is what allows companies like Kids.com to keep conning kids and their parents out of their money (and just think of what something like this could do to a child emotionally!).