Hollywood Profiles review: Charging for things they said they wouldn't 103

I hate reading these kinds of comments. As a Casting Director with over 25 years experience casting Television and Film, I know that these scams exist, but it bothers me that Joey Lawrence is the spokesperson and so many of you have had these kind of issues. I created a site called AreUaStar.com with lots of free information for aspiring actors on getting into Hollywood, guest star video blogs from successful Hollywood Pros and there is also a paid service where top Casting Directors will give honest and critical feedback for people who are wondering if they have star potential.

I hope these kinds of scams like Hollywood Profiles doesn't deter people from legitimate sites like mine.

I could log into my account to create the profile, but not to lob back in. I didn't have a phone number to call. I only received a customer service number when I was charged over $100.00. What a scam! This sor of business should be punished by law. I don't know how they can get away with it.

I also fell for their scam. Originally, I was under the impression that I was only going to be charged a small fee of less than $2.00 - nothing else. I was eventually charged over $100.00 for an account I couldn't even access more than twice. According to one of their agents, there may have been something wrong with the website. Also, there wasn't even a phone number I could call to find out why I couldn't access the account I had just set up. Only after I received an email from them stating that I had been charged nearly $50, I was provided with a phone number - and when I called them, I was actually charged about $100. This is a scam. I suggest you stay away from Hollywoodprofiles.com.

I've just received the same email that so many of you are referring to. I receive so many scam emails that I've become very adept at researching how to resolve them. According to the BBB, there are 250 complaints already against them. You can locate them in the BBB search at Hollywood Profiles, 8721 Santa Monica Blvd #1057, west Hollywood, CA 90069. There company rating is an "F" by the BBB which means We (the BBB) strongly question the company’s reliability for reasons such as that they have failed to respond to complaints, their advertising is grossly misleading, they are not in compliance with the law’s licensing or registration requirements, their complaints contain especially serious allegations, or the company’s industry is known for its fraudulent business practices.

You can file a compliant through the BBB and I think they act as a go-between to resolve your issues and they track the responses to each complaint on line so you can read some of the past complaints in how they were reolved, this may help on how you deal with them.

Also change your bank account and/or bank card you used with them so they connot continue to withdraw money. It looks like they may have a track record of doing so from all the complaints I read, but this is just my interpretation of the complaints and blogs I have read since I have chosen not to join with them after reading thier BBB record.

My advice to everyone is to do a BBB search on any business before you sign up, you can get a picture of past business practice from thier BBB Company Report if they hae had alot of activity. also just typing thier company name with into a web search engine will give you an idea if anyone else has been scammed before you jump into the deep end of the pool. Good luck on getting your money back!

07/22/2008.I was invited on the internet to star as an extra in the m new movie, Casting for Myron Graces Sheila Story.The location of the meeting ground is in Atlanta GA.The producer I called and talked to by phone said that performance pay is $200 dollars a day and up and you have to be on time.He also said that registration between 07/15/2008 to 08/15/2008.You have to pay a membership fee of $45.00 dollars to receive a personal resume and portfolio for one entire year.The producer is going to take my portfolios and have it notice to the other movie production.That I be the first to know when and where a making comes up and discovered to fit that part.What I am asking you Miss Cristie.You are my recruiter and I do need someone to investigate the matter.So that I will not feel alone and can to be aware of the difficultys insured in my $41.85 cents deposited into this extraordinairy savings that you explained to me when it comes to a free portfolio and other benefits required.Which will show on my website page.Or a refund on 07/28/2008.Gristie, write me back and tell me if I still have a good deal and to disregard the recent offer shown on the internet screen.Will thier be more offers and notifications to report to a setting.

I am so glad I came across this information. I just received an email from HollywoodProfiles.com stating that it only costed $1.95 to sign up. The sad part about it all is that Joey Lawrence, a famous celebrity is indorsing this company. Does he not realize that everyone who joins this company and gets the same treatment as you did will look down on him as well for trying to convince people to do this? Let alone being this is a very bad time because of the economy. People just like me, are looking for the easiest way to make that buck. I can not afford to lose a single dollar right now. It is a disgrace that celebrities would stoop to a level to help scam artist steal money from those who are already hitting bad times. Joey Lawrence should be ashamed of himself for doing this. But I guess since he got his good chunk of pay for indorsing this scam, he could care less how this company treats everyone else. SHAME ON YOUR JOEY LAWRENCE! SHAME!

I recently was on the Hollywood Profile internet site. I thought I'd try the $1.95 offer and clicked continue. I didn't press any other key to add on to my $1.95 and within a few days I was charge $29.95. I called Hollywood Profile and I was told they were having computer problems and to call back on Monday- I had called on Thursday. I was told that I had signed up for the platinum upgrade. I called Hollywood Profile and had to call a few times before I got someone to help me reverse the charge. I finally spoke to Daniel. I then told Daniel that all I wanted was the $1.95 charge and nothing else.

I just received a $49.95 charge on my credit card from them. I was told that it's $49.95/month for their services. The $1.95 was a 2 week free trial and that it was my responsiblity to call and cancel. I thought I did when I told Daniel that all I wanted was the $1.95 fee and nothing else. I argued with Thelma and then Mike when I told them that I had told Daniel that all I wanted was the $1.95 fee and nothing else and that Daniel never told me about the $49.95 fee. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told that supervisors do not speak with people with credit disputes. I was also told that I had electronically signed for the $49.95 fee per month and that it shows on line 4 that I have to call in. I thought I did. I will say one thing - the employees know how to read their script cards well.

I have contacted my bank and also the BBB.

I work in a Visa Bank in the disputes department. The following is my experience with them from a few minutes ago:

Talent Svc (I will call them TSvc) is part of a multi-merchant called Hollywood Profile. Hollywood Profile can obtain a CH’s information by promising service for a small charge (in the case of TSvc it was $1.95) and then later charging larger, recurring charges (TSvc: $49.95 x 2 months). [Original, smaller charge shows up as being from HollywoodProfile.com; larger, recurring charges show up as being from one of the multi-merchant names (i.e. My Identity, Travel Disk or My Bargain)]

I decided to call TSvc instead of closing Cardholder (CH) acct and filing the dispute as fraud. Called TSvc phone # on CH statement and got Customer Service (CS) Rep Frank who said he would put in a refund request for approval with the possibility of it being turned down; a request wasn’t good enough for me so I asked to speak to someone who could confirm that the charges would be refunded. He transferred me to a CS Supervisor (Luis) who said he would process credits, though their system restricts them from refunding charges >90 days old. I asked if he could assure me that the CH would be credited some other way if that was the final decision; he said he would try processing it right then. The credits went through, even the >90 day old refund. Luis confirmed that the CH's acct with TSvc was closed and gave me a Transaction ID number for the credits. He said credits take 3-5 days to post on the CH's Credit Card Statement.

***Special Note***

The CH I called on behalf of lives in [a specific state] and TSvc, according to CS Rep and CS Supervisor, does not serve [that state]. They had CH’s address listed same as ours except for state and zip. (Their files listed [a different state and zip]) They said that they are refunding all accounts from [a certain state] since they don’t serve there, but the conversation went in such a way that leads me to believe they would credit any CH, regardless of state lived in, if one was specific in stating that CH did not agree to any charges aside from the original $1.95.

yes my account was hacked can you help me get it back all i can remember is ID#2j685736xk817834n that was paypal i got toon from toonstorm on april 9 08 character name was magnacarta acc. name was Zyborg password was paul616161 plz help my son is driving me crazy plz email me thank you

7/14/2008 2:18:PM . I Edward Chapman agree to pay a member ship fee of $1.95 cents, for an entry fee.I gave my credit card number on the entry form and got deducted $40.00 dollars off my account without proper visual verification in writing on the internet screening, that this amount was not the deposit requirement.Please look into the matter and return what is rightfully mines.$40.00 dollars.

Thanks guys. I'm about to fall for this kind of fake.
We people on the internet should look out for each other. Appreciate your posting.
And so sorry about things that happened to you, hope you find a good way out there.
Peace.

I am looking at their page now where they want the $1.95, I googled and found this page and won't sign up. Glad this page was here!

Hollywood Profiles are ripping people off. They take your information and after that there is no way they help You or give You what They offer. When You try to call them there is a long time wait, and if you ask for a supervisor or manager You need to qualify for talk with one.
Never give this people your credit card information because they will take your money, and no mother if You cancel or You did not have what they offer They will not refound your money

These ### sent my account into overdraft I never even knew about another fee... They kept offering me different things and gas card programs and I just denied them and cancelled the service. Its hard in these times of economic hardships to even make a buck and keep it in your pocket, but when these people just stick their hands into your pockets and take it, it becomes a violation.

The biggest scam I ever came accross!

I am very upset about this!

I was also scammed by “Hollywood Profiles”. I signed up for the $1.95 membership, but ended up being charged $29.95; classic bait and switch. When you sign up, make sure you unclick the little tiny box that says you agree to $29.95. Most people don't pay attention to that part. I decided to let that go, but now they are charging me for $49.95 because that “$1.95” is only an “activation fee trial membership”. If you don't cancel within their trial period of 14 days, you will be charged another $49.95! According to their "terms and agreement" contract, if you don't cancel they can increase or decrease that monthly fee to the amount they desire. Therefore, what should’ve been $29.95, will become $49.95! Legally, they can get away with it; the tactics that they employ are performed in such way that they mislead people in a classic bait-and-switch scenario and end up getting away with it because people don’t follow through with reporting them to the Better Business Bureau, which I have done AND recommend that everyone do the same, whether it’s HOLLYWOOD PROFILES or some other company.

What also concerns me is that there is no actual location for their offices. According to Hollywoodprofiles.com they are located at 8721 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069, but according to Southland Better Business Bureau, they have more than one location. I called repeatedly on the day before my initial 14 day trial was to end so that I may cancel my trial membership, but no one answered. So I decided to go to the office and found no actual office for HP; it was a Post Office Box; “1057 is not a Suite as I thought, but a mailbox. I wasn't able to cancel because I couldn't get in contact with anybody. The guy named, "Jorge" that works at that post office couldn't give me information of Hollywood Profile post office box.

So a friend and I decided to take a stand. We went to the "Southland Better Business Bureau" website to file a complaint and strongly urge EVERYONE of you to do the same.

Thank you.

Click on the link below.
http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/General/Home.aspx?MenuItem=True&sm= or http://www.labbb.org/

Click on link to see picture of their office. http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/ponceje81/BizLocation.jpg

To file a complaint, simply follow the instructions:

Hit the file complaint option on the top left side of website, choose business. Scroll down and click on the “complaint form” link. Search for the business by typing Hollywood Profiles under name search engine. Hit search. Then click on any of the Hollywood Profile links and submit a complaint by filling out your information and problems with company.

As you will see, they have an F CUSTOMER SERVICE. by the bureau and have more than one location. My friend pretended to sign up today was given another address. They have no real location. Another location is

David Batrick CEO
P.O. Box 4314
Hollywood, CA 90028

If anybody know of a lawyer please contact me. Thanks.

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY. TOTAL SCAM

This company is a total rip off! I did this for my nephew and put the supposed $1.95 fee on my credit card.
Less than 2 weeks later, they billed my card " a monthly membership fee " of $49.95. When I've tried to call and cancel this SCAM on numerous occasions, all you get is a pre-recorded message, and a live body never answers. I guess my only other option is a cancellation via certified mail. WHAT A MAJOR RIP OFF AND INCONVENIENCE!

I got my money back by disputing the charges with my bank and filing a complaint with the better business bureau. I suggest everyone do this and spread the word that this is a giant scam!

Thank You Everyone for letting people know. I was thinking about signing up for myself and my son in the near future. My husband is disabled and we are on a fixed income and we have to be very careful before we sign up for things. I'm so very, very glad I googled them and found this site before I did anything. Thank You Again.

Thank you all, I was lucky enough to run a search for the company and stumble across this forum BEFORE signing up. The real fact is I am in a horrible financial constraint at the moment and this would have horribly added to the situation. Thank you all for saving me.

So I just signed up with this company a few minutes ago thinking I was only going to be charged $1.95 for a free account. Until I read all of these complaints. I got scammed for sure now.! I put in my credit card number in and hit submit for the $1.95. A page popped up right after and said if i wanted to upgrade. I didnt want to upgrade so I figured I would hit the next button on the bottom to finish the $1.95 transaction i was making. Then I got a review page saying the transaction had gone through and the total that was charged was $41.98. I was pissed. So I hit the back button to the page with upgrades and the company had the "Yes I want upgrades" already bubbled in instead of "No Thanks" button. I went back to the review page again and aparently that ment to charge me a second $41.98. If I wasnt already pissed enough! So I went to my wamu account and they did for sure charged me twice. I tried to call these scam artists and only an answering machine picked up. I called my bank to put a stop payment and they said they cant because it just pending and hadnt gone through yet. So I told them to cancell the card, because reading these other complaints they will keep charging your card over every month. Hell No! So I requested a whole other card. They are not getting any more money from me! I can say that for sure! But unfortunetly I probably wont get my refund back since I cant get a hold of them. That sucks big time! So anyone reading this, do not, I repeat DO NOT! go through this company. They are a scam for sure!

I truly wish I saw this website earlier! They got me as well. I signed up for the 14 day free trial...that wasn't exactly free, I paid $1.98. During that entire 14 day trial I could not access the wedsite. So I just decided that I didn't want to continue. I called to cancel my subscription. The operator was very pushing in trying to keep my account opened...Against my better judgement I allowed him to talk me into 30 days free to get my website up...he walked me through getting on. That was the FIRST AND ONLY TIME I used that site.
After the 30 days, I called to cancel my account again. Never used it during that tme. And again the operator tried to talk me into continue even though I was not using the account. I told him I was not interested. He assured me that I would not be charged for that 30 trial. But low and behold I was charged $49.95 because I accessed the website that 14th day when the operator walked me through accessing my account. Again, the one and only time I was ever on the site. I called three times to cancel. The third time I asked for a manager. I was sent to his voice mail. So I called again and one of the operators connected me with a "supervisor" NOT a manager as I asked for. He sternly informed me that I was not going to get a refund. I called I canceled but still I got charged. Now if you will excuse me, I have to go call my bank to close my account so that this unethical company cannot charge anymore money to my account. LESSON LEARNED...and hopefully all who read this will take heed and learn from our misfortune.

I have been scammed by these people. I have about 10 charges on my credit card that is not mine.

MyIdenity [protected]

Travel Disc [protected]

My Bargain [protected]

Talent Svc [protected]

I have disputed them with my Card company and deactivated the card.

Not sure how they got my numbers. Do you know?

Same here. I thought i was smarter than this, wow. Anyway i just talked to my small neighborhood branch and they cancelled my card and sending me a new one along with an affidavit to fill out and notarize in order to get my money back. I am also going to call the BBB as soon as they open (cali time). I think that # is [protected]. Thx JOHN your post was helpful.

I got taken in by the scam too. I'm going to call them though and see if I can get my account canceled. So far, it hasn't officially charged my card so I think I'm okay. The only thing you can do about sites like this, is report them and take to your bank, explain your situation and arrange for a way to get a new card or stop all authorization payments from this location and that number. I'm assuming they use the same location and place, taking to take out from the first charge. So if you report them to the bank than they shouldn't be able to take any money. I'm going to get this straighten out before I get any unauthorized charged from this fraud company.

I'm another person that fell for the scam. I called them and they will not credit me the $49.95 even when I pointed out this website. Any lawyers out there have any suggestions?

I too was charged $49.95 when I ONLY agreed to a $1.95 charge. I called Hollywood Profiles to cancel my membership. I also called my bank to get the charges reversed and put a stop payment on my account. If they try to bill me again my bank will take care of it. Is there anyway we can take action against them?

i got scamed too

Cyn said to go to this site...
http://www.CastingandTalent.com...but it is the same exact wording on the bottom of the pages!
SO BEWARE? I think it is the same company!

WOW! I didn't even know this complaint website existed. I was trying to find the site for Hollywood Profiles to find out how in the hell they tried to charge $49.95 to my credit card; I'm only lucky because the charge was denied. I haven't been able to locate the original paperwork/printout with them but I'm positive I only agreed to a $1.95 charge and nothing more. How do we take this information to the next step?

Michael R. Hays

I was just about to sign up for this! but didn't because of the fee because I want to use my debit card but I just opened a new bank account and I haven't gotten the debit card yet. Thanks for the info!

I GOT MY MONEY BACK FROM HOLLYWOOD PROFILES! HERE IS HOW I DID IT. CALL YOUR BANK AND DISPUTE THE CHARGES, CANCEL THE CARD YOU GAVE TO HOLLYWOOD PROFILES AND HAVE YOUR BANK REISSUE YOU A NEW ONE. THE BANK WILL AUTOMATICALLY REFUND THE MONEY AND THEN DISPUTE THE CHARGES WITH HOLLYWOOD PROFILES. NEXT GO TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU WEB SITE AND FILE A CLAIM AGAINST HOLLYWOOD P. AS OF MAY 10TH THERE WERE 107 COMPLAINTS AGAINST THIS COMPANY AND THEY RATED HOLLYWOOD PROFILES WITH A BIG FAT "F"! WITHIN A WEEK I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM BBB SAYING THAT HOLLYWOOD P HAD REFUNDED THE MONEY TO MY BANK. DO NOT CALL HOLLYWOOD PROFILES IT IS A WASTE OF YOUR TIME. GO THROUGH YOUR BANK OR CREDIT COMPANY AND THE BBB

oh my goodness! if i hadn't had a weird feeling about that site i would've signed up but i decided to look further into it and this site saved me! thank you thank you thank you!

I got the same problem with this agency named Hollywwod profiles, I paid $ 1.95 for tool kit and never they write somewhere that you will have 14 days trial period for cancellation.
I contacted by e-mail my bank for to stop the next payment of $49.95 but I think It will be difficult.

Please don't trust any internet job agency, it's all of them just crook

Actually, if you click on their terms and agreement, the real charges are there. I also found United States Casting Society and they have a site that you can go and start your acting career or suggest do your own research. The site is http://www.CastingandTalent.com and when you go to that site start cost $197.00. Therefore there is nothing for free and if it sounds like it search google or posts as this one and make sure you do your research before giving your bank information online.

Just a note to let everyone know that I have been talking to a relation within the police department in Washington DC about the site, and they are going to look further to get to the bottom of things. Please do not sign up with this site!

Last night I found the Hollywood Profiles site and was about to join up today, until I checked up on the site incase for scams and such, and found all these complaints! Thank you all for posting on here, to warn me and save me alot of money! It is sad to see that so many have already fallen victim to this terrible scam!

I to was scammed It said only 1.99 and they ended up takeing 49.95 off my credit card WITHOUT authoraty My bank cut up my card and are checking this place out. THEY WILL GET CAUGHT what comes around goes around!

I had the same problem. It wasn't till my bank account was over drawn that I noticed anything going on. For the last 2 months I have had 49.95 taken out on the 2nd of each month. They have costed me nearly $250 in over draft charges and their own charges. I don't even earn that a month being a student. I haven't heard a single thing from this company. I call today and was put on hold for 45 mins. I was told by a rather annoyed sounding man that there was nothing they can do. He did however tell me very quietly that I should filed fraud charges with the police.

If you print out what was promised, along with your phone bill proving the calls were made, and send to your credit card company with a letter disputing the charges, the credit card company will reverse the charges.