Star Search Castin - Showtime Casting Ripoff fraudulent lieing stealing unauthorized billing Oceanside California
Originally seen in a newspaper ad for extras casting, called star search casting. They told me that my card would be charged $99.70, and that not only could I have a refund within 30 days, but that once I got my first job as an extra, I would be written a check for $98 on the spot. They also said that I should be getting a few jobs within the first month.
After not getting any feedback from them for two weeks, I called to cancel. They put me on hold for hours, diconnected me, and gave me the run around until I finally gave up. Yes, it was a learning experience.
Now, after almost a year, they have charged my card $98 once again. This is a comepletely unauthorized charge. This little scam they have going is, I am sure, not their only one. When I called the phone number on my credit card statement, there are two "account" areas that your call can be directed to, then you get put on hold until you are eventually sent to voicemail.
Please avoid any casting companies that cast you over the phone. They are totally phony, fraudulent and they will rip you off big time!!
Chrissie
San Diego, California
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Searchlighttalent
St. George,Utah,
U.S.A.
SearchlightTalent not assosiated with anyone.
#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Thu, July 24, 2008
I am not sure how my company which offers absolutely free services could have been confused with these other companies. I own getcastednow and searchlighttalent. Just wanted to clear the air and let everyone know that I am not affiliated with any of the companies that this person posted as a scam.
Julie
Ventura,California,
U.S.A.
There were 2 different companies using the name Star Search Casting
#3UPDATE Employee
Sun, February 10, 2008
The company this person is talking about started doing business in 2003 and was only in business for about 3 years. They kept changing their name and website so people would not catch on to their scam. They were located near San Diego California in Oceanside and also used an address in Carlsbad. This is their Better Business Bureau report: http://sandiego.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Report.aspx?site=26&bbb=1186&firm=20005827
Many scammers, like this company, confuse people by using names very similar to real reputable companies. These are some of the names they used until they went out of business in late 2005:
Hospitality Trainers
Bartenders of America
Exposed Casting
Extra Exposed Casting
Star Search Casting
Prime Time Casting ( http://www.PrimeTimeCasting.com )
Show Time Casting ( http://www.ShowTimeCasting.com )
Global Casting Network ( http://www.GlobalCastingNetwork.com )
Global Entertainment Network ( http://www.gcastnet.com )
Get Casted Now ( http://www.GetCastedNow.com )
Search Light Talent ( http://www.SearchLightTalent.com )
Look At Me Inc.
There is a real company named Star Search Casting, Inc. ( http://www.StarSearchCasting.com ) that has been in business since 1998 and is a member of the Better Business Bureau. You can see their BBB report here: http://www.bbbonline.org/cks.asp?id=1050419191358
Many people still confuse the scam which operated out of Oceanside California with the real Star Search Casting located in Ventura California because they used the same name.
Fortunately, the scam company is no longer around but their bad reputation continues to hurt a legitimate company.