Modeling Scam? Help Please!?

How is everyone?
I paid around 375 for this modeling photo shoot, but this big problem happen along with other stuff. I could write pages of the problem, but I want to make it easier for everyone.

I paid and I did not receive the service. The company is closed down, and I have no "working" numbers. Yes, I feel bad and stupid, but what can I do? I have a receipt, and 1 guys number who seems to "be idle" from his phone. Please help me. I wanted to be a NICE and PATIENT guy, but unfortunately I must act now in order to fix anything.
Thank You for your time in reading this... And Happy New Year Everyone!

**EDIT** I have a receipt and some paper in writing. I also have another paper they gave me with my card number on it. ( I payed Debit ). I asked the guy and he said he would try to help me out. Its been around 2 weeks and still no help. I will try to contact the BBB, but any other opinion on what I should do? (( Thank you all of you though, I am glad their are people who can help others and myself in situations like this.)) The guys phone answering machine says he can be contacted Tues.-Sat. 7am-10pm.. I left messages, texts, during those hours and no response from him.

1) Report them to the BBB
2) Take them to small claims court
3) Contact your local newspaper/stations and report the scam--alert others
4) Make a formal complaint to your attorney general

If you're willing to take them to court, do it.

report them to Better Biz bur

Yeah, pretty much if a modeling "agency" wants YOU to pay THEM, it's a scam. If they really wanted you, they'd pay for everything. Don't do this again.

contact the authorities of they just ran off with your money, i'm sure they have done it before

call ur local law office not a firm an office. they will give u legal advice sometimes they charge a small fee but its worth it.

hopefully you have something in writing. if not you may be out of luck, unless he has an office you can go and visit there.

call one of those investigative lines, ...most tv stations have departments to help consumers for free.
or the better business bureau

If you paid with a credit card, you can dispute with the credit card company. Otherwise, if the company is out of business, you are probably out of luck.

call your states attorney.....

yes, your States General Attorney can help with issues like that.......

And possibly even your police department should get involved because what those people did is steal your money!

Do you have an address????? You need to get good solid proof of where these people are!

Higher an attorney and provide him the phone number and the name of the guy. He may be able subpoena the telephone records and proceed with litigation.

idk maybe you shoud call the cops

Forget being nice and patient. If this was one of those modeling company scams, and it sounds like one, you should contact the police. They are not going to give your money back unless they have to. Also, save any paperwork, contracts, the ad you found them on, for evidence.

file with the attorney generals office.

You need to leave a message on this guys phone informing him of your intention to take him to a small claims court if he continues to ignore your phone calls by a certain date. (give him a fighting chance and give him say 5 working days).

If, by that date, you have still heard nothing, you need to check in with a citizens advice bureau (if not before) to be certain you have a case. Because I believe that in most cases, if a company has filed for bankruptcy, they are not required to pay back any money unless they knew they were going to file when making the contract.

If you do have a case, by all means go to court, but get professional advice first.

Along with the answers above I suggest leaving messages, looking them up online etc. Threaten if no one responds that you will no only go to court & report them BUT you will hit the media with this scam in particular. Tell them that you already have a lawyer & you work in for the biggest newspaper in your area (tell them a name of a paper) and you have friends in magazines and papers WORLD WIDE.

Crap like that happens everywhere but because you have a receipt and a number possibly a name? You may be able to have leverage if you play the bigger hand, don't know your cards. PULL THEIR BLUFF!

You can do that by saying that you have other unsatisfied customers and you want to avoid having to publicly humiliate them. Also say that your wife or gf or somethings father works for the state's audting office, that should really get their attention.

Goodluck & for future reference, you don't need a modeling company for your pictures done. I used to do modeling years ago. You can usually go to a decent photographer & have them create a modeling card.

Count your blessings:

Be happy your only out 375.

Now you're smarter.