Some signs are subtle and require some experience to recognize. Others are very obvious. Here's a brief idea of some of the things you should watch out for:

• Charges an advance fee, or "registration" fee.
• Places nonspecific ads in the Help Wanted columns in newspapers, such as "M/F models wanted, no experience necessary."
• Uses a name which sounds similar to a well-known agency or person.
• Displays pictures of famous models in the office, even though they have never been represented.
• Schedules appointments for after-work hours, perhaps in your home.
• Pressures you to leave a cash deposit, or wants you to sign a contract immediately.
• Doesn't answer questions about the specifics of a modeling job.
• Asks you to have more photographs taken by a certain photographer, perhaps demanding a deposit for the photographs and payment of the balance before you have even seen the photographs. Unfortunately, some non-reputable firms make all their money from this forced photography.
• Some modeling agencies also run modeling schools. These schools may be quite good. However, know that you don't have to attend a modeling school in order to become a model. Mediocre modeling schools are a waste of time and money. If the agent insists that you must attend their school, leave. He is most likely not actually an agent, but rather a scout for the school!
• Makes promises as to your possible success or future. Guarantees he can "make you a star". Reputable agencies will immediately tell you that while they may think you have potential, they can make no promises as to any possible future success. That of course, is up to you. Even if you're perfect - all they can do is send you out to an interview. The client has to want your look, and you have to sell yourself.

ADDENDUM: Beware of traveling model searches and "scouting sessions". These are well known as the biggest scams of all, and lure thousands of wanna-be models into paying thousands and getting nothing in return.

"Souting Sessions" - where you pay to attend a convention of sorts that represents to include agents from around the world is bogus. Why would an agent travel across the country to scout models, when there are 100 girls in their lobby at that very moment? The fact is, all these "agents" are splitting the proceeds from the wanna-bes that plunked down as much as $450 to attend.

Traveling model searches - even with well known names, are a FRAUD. If you're a regular viewer of shows like 20/20, Nightline, etc., you've seen reports of these - showing rooms full of crying girls, and angry parents. They all basically employ variations of the same scam. They go into a town with their "free" seminar, telling people about how exciting the modeling industry is, how almost anyone can do it, and how much money they can make. (Which is basically true) Then they also say how competitive the industry is (also very true), and how they are only looking for the very best applicants in each town. Attendees are asked to fill out an application, and all are told that their committee will review the applications and select the very best to be represented by them. So naturally, everyone leaves in a state of apprehension - praying that they will be one of the "lucky ones".

But the scam is - after they have left, these companies then send out "congratulations" letters to every single person that applied. Of course, alone in their homes, you can imagine their excitement to know they were one of the "few" chosen ones.