ABOUT MA SUPPORT
How does Model Alliance Support work?
Once you fill out our intake form, a member of our support staff will reach out to you directly using the email you provide. Our support line is open Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm ET. We do our best to respond within 24 hours.
Is it confidential?
The information that you provide us will remain completely confidential, unless you are a minor and we have a legal duty to report on your behalf or you inform us explicitly that you want to report an incident to law enforcement.
Is it secure?
Yes. MA Support operates through Salesforce, which has security built into every level of the platform. You can read more on the Salesforce website here.
How can the support line help me?
Through Model Alliance Support, we provide free assistance for working and aspiring models with complaints about inappropriate on-the-job conduct, agent issues, and other work-related problems. We use our industry knowledge and expertise to identify solutions that suit your needs.
The Model Alliance does not provide legal services or legal advice, but we can provide referrals to attorneys if requested.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is sexual harassment?
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature in the workplace or learning environment. Click here to learn more.
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is any involuntary sexual act in which a person is threatened, coerced, or forced to engage against their will. Click here to learn more.
What is trafficking?
Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Click here to learn more.
How do I know if a modeling agency is a scam?
If someone asks you to send suggestive photos of yourself, pay him or her any amount of money in advance, or offers you a large sum of money for work with little or no prior modeling experience, it is most likely a scam. Additionally, if the communications you receive are full of grammatical errors or promise you a meeting or job with a big-name photographer or designer despite little or no modeling experience, these are also warning signs that indicate a potential scam.
Even if an agency is reputable and not a scam, we advise that you consult with an attorney or trusted advisor prior to signing any contracts. We often receive complaints from models trying to get out of one-side or unfair contracts that have already been signed. Because the model has already agreed to bad terms, however, there is often little that a model can do to correct them. We urge models to educate themselves prior to signing a bad contract, as they have more leverage to negotiate for better terms at the moment of signing. Click here to learn more about modeling scams.
Help! I’ve fallen for a modeling scam. What can I do?
In most cases, little can be done once the scammer has succeeded in soliciting payment or other materials from you. If you have paid a scam agency using a credit or debit card, you may be able to dispute the charge directly with your bank. You may also submit a complaint about the agency to an appropriate monitoring body. To learn more about your options, please contact us directly.
I am being verbally harassed by a scam agency online. What can I do?
If you are being harassed, we suggest that you keep written records of all harassment and tell a trusted friend or loved one what is going on. If you are being harassed through a social media platform such as Instagram, you may report the harassment directly to the platform. If the harassment is threatening or violent, we can also assist you in reporting it to the appropriate monitoring body. To learn more about your options, please contact us directly.