Ghislaine M Zgp

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Salt Lake City, Utah

Total scam and a criminal company

Original review Sep 04, 2023

It is honestly a waste of time explaining the same situation that many have already written over and over on many review websites! These morally bankrupt criminals don't give a rip about the hundreds of bad reviews, and I am writing and doing what I am doing to help others.

I will start by saying these people are dangerous, and my suspicions were proven through a deep background check of Alex. It is just the tip of the iceberg. They have their scam right down to every detail from the way they have you meet at their office, refusing to cancel the contract, offering a lower settlement amount, endless different phone numbers they give out, hire sleazy attorney and put them on retainer retainer to flex their muscles to scare you. For the finale.

If you don't pay, they turn you in to collections. I have two friends that paid the money, meet with the photographer and did the training and never got more than one or two jobs. These criminals are cleaver, they just do enough business to keep the eyes of the FBI off of them. They will anger the wrong person with lots of time, money and connections, and they will be shut down or better yet, go to prison.

If you haven't already written a complaint to EVERY review website, please write them. The important one is better business bureau, and please put a complaint in with Utah state division of consumer protection, and the federal trade commission. My suspicion is that their criminal activity with extorting money from young college students is just the gateway to identity theft and human trafficking.

Here is my story: it is pretty much the same as everyone.

Before I start., I want to say I went into this totally naive. Big lesson.

Never give your social security number, address and debit card. Always run this stuff by your parents or older experienced friends or family. Never sign a contract without reading it over with someone with experience. Most importantly.

VET the company and read reviews online!!!

As I said before, I am their target audience. Young but over 18 and poor college student and quick way to earn money.

Here is my story. A model recruiter contacted me via Instagram, and heavily flattered me and asked me to attend an appointment at the urban talent management building in Salt Lake City. The conversation was transferred to text messages with a different recruiter, and they scheduled me to sign their scam contract on May 2

2023.

During the appointment, I was pressured into an hour long fast talking sales pitch, pressured into signing their contract, and an hour later I tried to cancel the contract, and they wouldn't let me. I then sent a formal written termination letter on June 2023, because no services rendered, and no money was exchanged. Then the harassment started and the endless phone calls and threats. Fast-talking Alex telling me how fabulous she is and the company is!

I had already cancelled the debit card that I gave them (stupid and naive), so they threatened me for about a week, telling me that my first monthly fee of $150 is going to be sent to collections if I didn't pay it immediately. They sent me a long email about how I need to take responsibility for what I've done and that I'm a bad employee for doing this. I had not signed up for any of their trainings or anything in the contract after I signed the day of my appointment. The only interaction I ever had with urban talent was my hour-long appointment with Alex Didier when I was pressured to sign it.

They supposedly sent the first monthly fee to collections. I told them that my contract is void and is to be terminated and after many back-and-forth communications via email and then saying it's impossible to terminate contracts, they agreed to let me terminate my contract through a settlement negotiation. They aggressively told me that the minimum amount that I can pay to settle is $400. Ridiculous.

They want me to pay for something I do not owe. No services were rendered and there were no damages. Like most of the hundreds of complaints and bad reviews online, I am a poor college student and was recruited on Instagram and I didn't do my research or read all the horrific reviews all over the internet. They prey on young, naive, poor college students and play into their vanity.

Hard to believe no one has shut them down, and even harder to believe anyone could work for a company like this. You would think a state or government agency would go after these scammers! Go look at their website and the photos of the scammers that work for this company. Play special attention to the CEO.

Let's just say I wouldn't be in a room by myself with him. I will leave it at that. Karma will take of them! There is also a special place in *** for this company and the people that work for them scamming and lying to everyone!!

Sadly, they're low level employees that are so brainwashed into thinking they are doing something good for people. The directors and the middle management and the higher-ups are just sleazy sales people that are predators.

Not even sure most of the people on their website even exist? It is all just a big lie and scam!

View full review
Loss:
$2800
Cons:
  • Everything dishonest

Preferred solution: A contract termination and criminal investigation

User's recommendation: Write reviews on every website you can. Important website is better business bureau and Utah division of customer protection.

Anonymous U Soa

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

Scammed into a contract

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**DON'T DO BUSINESS WITH THESE PEOPLE** I was recently scouted by Urban Talent Management back in March 2023 and ended up going to their building for an interview. I was 18 at the time and had no previous modeling experience. When I arrived, they told me to fill out some paperwork, and then we could get right to the interview. After I finished it, I was pulled back into a runway room along with a few other young people. We introduced ourselves and the first red flag popped up, they were all also around 18 years old and had no previous modeling experience. At the time, I just thought that it was a crazy coincidence, but now I know that they like to prey on young adults who are easy to manipulate into signing contracts. We did some unnecessary posing down the runway to see if we "had it" and to maybe give us a little taste of what the modeling world would be like to get us excited (it worked). Then, the interviewer named Alex went and grabbed another employee and proceeded to take us one by one into their office cubicles to "interview" us. In actuality, they were separating us from each other, so it would be easier to pressure us into signing their contracts. I was very overwhelmed throughout the entire interaction with Alex and barely had time to process everything she was throwing at me, which included flattery about how I was the exact look they needed, excessive amounts of information regarding what I needed to do in order to get a gig, my future prospects, where I was supposed to get a haircut, where I was supposed to get my headshots done, a website with successful models on it to show me what I might become, two different contracts which she very briefly skimmed through, etc. She did all of this in the span of about 10 minutes while vaguely telling me about the contracts and that I would need to pay their partner company Style Inc.(which is actually just them under a different name, they are even owned by the same person, Bret Udy, and are located in the same building) $2000 in order for them to train me up so I can be ready for the real modeling world. They claimed it would be vital in my modeling career and that I could pay it off easily with how many gigs I would be getting.Turns out every other real modeling management group or agency doesnt require you to pay for them to train you, its just part of the job, and if they do, they just deduct it out of your paychecks from your shoots. When it came to the signing of the contracts I was incredibly nervous because I didnt even really know what I was signing. I clearly expressed my concerns of not having a lot of time or money to do their training or work their gigs since I was in college and already had a job, but Alex assured me it would be fine and that she would mentor me through anything I didnt understand in the contract once I was hired and would help to get me gigs so I could pay off the fee. I ended up signing the contracts but felt so uneasy about it that I called my parents right after I left and they told me it was a scam. I texted Urban immediately after on the same day within an hour of signing the contract that I wanted to cancel it. They had provided me with no services at the time so I thought they would be understanding and allow me to cancel it, but I didnt know that they make the majority of their money from these scam contracts so they refused and redirected me to their other company Style Inc. When I did contact Style, they threatened to send me to collections if I didnt pay. I am now disputing the previous collections agency over what became the $2,800 that I allegedly owe them. I did some research into Urban that same day afterwards on numerous review websites and discovered that my experience is quite common with them. I am writing this review in hopes that it helps to stop other inexperienced young adults from making the same mistake as me and hopefully persuading Urban and Style to stop this horribly immoral business.
View full review
Cons:
  • Scam company

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Do not do business with them

2 comments
Aleister Exw

My situation is exactly the same. What was the final call with the collections agency? Also which agency was it???

Ghislaine M Zgp
reply icon Replying to comment of Aleister Exw

It is knight adjustment, Bureau. These guys are criminals. Make sure you do review and contact your congressman and the Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau.

View more comments (1)
Alyssa H Jxi

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Salt Lake City, Utah

Unethical business

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Urban Talent Management - Unethical business
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I had an interview in June 2022. The woman was very skilled at communicating in a manipulative way. She pressured me to sign here and sign there. She vaguely went over the contract and told me they would do a payment plan. So I agreed to that. The first payment was due on July 1st for $250 with 3% card fee. She picked apart my appearance and told me I would need to change my hair, the way I did my makeup, etc. I felt like something was off about the way she wanted me to sign everything so quickly and asked if I could have time to think about it and she said that I wouldnt have the opportunity if I waited. That is so unethical, and very dishonest for a business to do. Anyone who is thinking about signing a contract should be given adequate time to look it over. No, she just wanted me to sign and then get me out of there as quick as possible, not realizing the huge mistake I had made. I tried to cancel the next day and she told me there were no cancellations. July rolled around and they tried to charge me $283 (which is NOT the amount agreed upon in the contract) and then $154 for who knows what?! The charges didnt go through. I later emailed her about this and confronted her on her dishonesty and she denied it and lied about those charges. She said the $283 was because I was late but in the contract we had agreed on the first day my payment would be due so why would it be late on that day? The whole company is very dishonest. They didnt care about my financial situation she just said oh well maybe you should have thought about your financial decision or maybe she shouldnt have manipulated, lied, and unethically pressured me into signing something that is a total scam! They didnt even give me the opportunity to do the payment plan a month later, they just sent the whole amount of $2,000 to collections. Now the collection agency is suing me and I havent even received any modeling classes or services whatsoever! Why pay for a service I didnt receive? Oh wait, thats where they get you! Its in the fine print, but they make sure to leave that part out in the interview. They go over everything very vaguely, dont give you time to think about it, manipulate you and then theyre on to their next victim! They dont work with anyones financial situation and they lack empathy. The owner of the company is a BULLY and anytime there is a complaint or negative review, they ATTACK that person with passive aggressive, snarky responses. They are super rude and I wish there was a way out of this contract! I refuse to work with a company that is so HORRIBLE. I wonder how all the employees sleep at night, working at a place like that. Scammers, liars, manipulators, narcissists, selfish, unethical, RUDE, unapologetic, ZERO empathy!!! Run away as fast as you can! I will give my opinion as much as possible in hopes it saves someone else from making this same mistake to sign with them!!
View full review
Loss:
$2800
Cons:
  • Unethical
  • Manipulation
  • Unwillingness to work with financial situation

Preferred solution: Cancellation of my contract for the fact that they LIED to me about the payment plan and tried to charge more that was agreed upon in the contract! I just want out of the contract!!

User's recommendation: Ask for time to go over the contract. Oh wait, they won’t let you otherwise there won’t be an opportunity for you. Don’t even show up to their “interview” waste of time, money, effort. Highly skilled manipulative scammers!

Anonymous
map-marker South Jordan, Utah

Just for people to know the truth

I was lucky enough to cancel all contracts by going to my bank 2 weeks before the first payment was going to be made. Its like what others wrote Alex the manager separated me from the other guy and interviewed us individually and it was a rushed process not really giving me time to process what I was getting into. One thing I did notice was the energy of the employees that worked there and it wasnt encouraging. All the people I asked that have used urban said they were bad and out for money and then I also checked the reviews online and after that I made my move to make sure no funds was taking from my account. I did not feel like they had me in best interest: even when I got in the first day the energy from the front desk lady was not encouraging
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honeybee

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Salt Lake City, Utah

Scammers

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Stay away from this company they are scammers bb
View full review
Loss:
$2000
Cons:
  • Dont get booking
  • Threaten

Preferred solution: Full refund

Anonymous

Unprofessional and great scam artist's .

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This place is only out there to get your money. Stay far away.
View full review
Pros:
  • There are non
Anonymous
map-marker Paris, Ile-De-France

In case anyone forgets this is still a scam

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Worst Unethical Untalented - Anti talent - Talent averse Theives, crooks, scam artists
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1 comment
Guest

Lol, you sound pissed.

Anonymous
map-marker Baker City, Oregon

Beware if this outfit

From outward appearances this company appears to be a long-running scam preying upon people's hopes. Having knowledge of companies that provide representation, I can tell you this: reputable agents only receive their money based on the work they secure for you. They do not ask for money up front. They receive a percentage (generally around 15-20%) of the jobs they get you. They wanted to charge me $250 up front and tried to get me to go their "professional" photographer for another $100 or so. Having been a photographer I can take shots as good, if not better, than their guy. I said that if they were so confident of their ability to secure me work, then they could deduct the $250 from the first job they got for me. They refused. Another red flag. I have heard they charge others much more than they were attempting to extort from me -- probably because I have knowledge of the industry. I'm sure the company must have a go-to roster of a select few that they work with that keep the agency in business. But I would imagine this list is short and your chances of getting on it slim. As I left and saw them lighting up the hopes of a young lady, I wondered if they ever refused anyone. A good agency doesn't take everyone if they can't place them. I think Urban Talent will sign up anyone as long as they bring them money.
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Morgan M Wgs

Worst “modeling agency” ever

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I was scouted at the mall by 17 year old girls and was pushed into a contract without knowing so many details. The next week i was told by my school i had to start paying my tuition monthly. I knew i wouldn’t have the money to do both, as i moved to another town for school and suddenly had many bills to pay. I asked to be let out if the contract and Camilla Larsen was very stubborn and refused to let me out. Months have gone by of my paying for some workshop they make you do when you sign with them. I am now graduated from my school and want to further my career and go to college in a different state. I asked Camilla what the policy was on a talent moving away and she asked me many personal questions and told me i need to give her my housing lease with my name on it and my college acceptance letter. That is absolutely none of her business. This company will stop at nothing to get your money even though she claims “they don’t get money from me till i book a job”. If that was the case I don’t think letting people out if contracts would be unacceptable. I am now paying $1700 for a workshop I won’t be able to attend and according to her they aren’t getting the money for that anyways, which makes absolutely no sense. DO NOT waste your time or money on this company!!!!
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Brookelin W
map-marker Salt Lake City, Utah

Unethical Practices

While there are many ethical issues within Urban Talent, I would like to focus on one big problem in particular. Urban Talent is a modeling agency which uses scam-like tactics to recruit new models. I was scouted as a model the fall of 2016 on Instagram. During my initial meeting with an agent, I was intensely flattered. The agent compared me to one of their top models, told me how marketable I was, and how successful I could be. After copious amounts of compliments, he whipped out two contracts. One was for Urban Talent, and the other was for Style Inc, a company which provides training and photo shoots to models. Legally, Urban can't train their own models within their own company because that's what scam model agencies do. However, Style Inc is run by almost the exact same people as Urban. It's a system loophole so they can make money off their training. The Style Inc share the same phone number, email addresses, and physical address and Urban Talent. As a separate ethical issue, the amount of money I was asked to pay for Style Inc's training is well above industry standards. I paid $1000 for a very poor-quality, unprofessional shoot, and another $1000 for training. Urban is the definition of a wolf in sheep's clothing. I am currently stuck in a contract with a difficult termination policy. I want to be let out of my contract to not be associated with such an unethical company. After stating to Urban that I would like to terminate my contract, I explained the issues I've had with my agent. She gave me no pity, blamed the issues on others, and said I should've said something earlier (as if there was nothing they could do anymore - which wasn't the case).
View full review
Loss:
$2000
Reason of review:
Work Experience or Job Application

Preferred solution: Contract termination

2 comments
Guest

How did you get out?

Guest

My daughter has had the same problems with these so called two companies! People need to ban together and go to the media!

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Anonymous
map-marker Salt Lake City, Utah

A total waste of TIME!!!

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This company is not even worth the time to check it out. Both my daughters were represented by them, my older daughter did a movie once and a dumb little cheesey print ad that took like 4 months to get paid $100.

I have sent in new and updated photos for her 3 times and they have never put them up on their website. They have now removed her from their site,without even contacting her or anything. I have sent in photos for my younger daughter 2 times and same. Their "professional" photographer is really a *** working from his home and keeping us waiting for like 2.5 hours before he would even start.

Then he was feeding his dog raw chicken in front of my 9 year old, she obvioulsy was NOT ever going back there again as was the same with my older daughter. We paid $2500 up front for "training".

Stay away from this agency. They only work with select people.

View full review
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
4 comments
Guest

You should not be paying a talent agency! They are supposed to receive a percentage for any work they book on their client's behalf.

They have a very low rating on yelp.

Scroll to the bottom and make sure you read the 55 filtered out reviews. Many of them are by very unhappy clients and former clients.

Ghislaine M Zgp

To follow up on my previous comment. If anybody needs to know their collection agency it is “knight adjustment Bureau.” Everybody needs to contact the state of Utah division for consumer protection, the Better Business Bureau, Utah Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau.

Apologies for the typo. I use the word “Angie” instead of angle. These guys are pretty severe criminals.

At first, I thought they were low level, unintelligent criminals…..not so much… Their criminal activity runs deep. I have also written my own review.

Ghislaine M Zgp

Thank god you didn’t leave you children with these *** bags!! Background check on Alex is horrific!

Put a complaint in to the better business bureau and also put a complaint in with Utah s consumer protection agency.

Everyone has similar stories! They have every Angie covered they are expert scammers.

Guest

The best review ever.

View more comments (3)
Anonymous
map-marker Wilder, Idaho

Urban Talent

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Any talent agency that requires you to pay upfront and everything in house before they shoot projects over to you is a SCAM. Urban Talent has been doing this for a long time now. I also notice they now have been starting to hide their name from their advertising on various sites. They will put "realish" jobs on the listings and then when you contact them, they will have their name on the bottom of the email. They still won't let you know they are from Urban Talent bluntly. They use fake behind the scene photos that was not one of their projects to lure people in among other unethical marketing practices. They surprise also use fake people in the initial contact! Check out http://www.urbantalent.com/about-urban/our-staff and the Boise Director with no real name. They start with her in the initial contacts with clients then push you off to someone else. I also notice they are redirecting and limiting ALL their facebook pages. Yes, you heard right, there is multiple facebook pages :) Look at real reviews on their facebook, a 3.3 star rating is terrible. It all has to do with forcing people to pay upfront for their classes (starting at 2,000) as well as using their own in house headshots guy. They will tell you if your headshot guy is good, then you can use them but I gave sample headshots from LA and they said it wasn't good enough. STAY FAR AWAY FROM URBAN TALENT!
View full review
Loss:
$3000
Reason of review:
SCAM

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