Easy Background Check Exposed

*The website, easybackgroundcheck.com (EBC), launched an unprecedented attack on the Millie Lewis organization almost five years ago. I am Carey Lewis Arban, the 52 year-old Owner of the Millie Lewis Actors, Models & Talent Competition (AMTC). On behalf of my mother, Millie Lewis, my daughters, and our convention family, I deny these vicious, anonymous lies. Please note that the “editor” of the EBC website never gives his name. In addition, he does not give his background or credentials to write unfounded remarks.

Please see the following independent websites to view research and background material EBC. None of these websites are connected to or authored by anyone within AMTC.

Easy Background Check-ed

The Mouth of Truth

Easy Background Check Scam

Phoenix News- The Real Rip-off Report

The Internet is a new frontier. Its vast freedoms and explosive growth outpaced protective laws and restrictions. Wonderful resources are there. So are terrible predators. As yet, no “governing body” has attempted regulation. Therefore, we consumers must be cautious about what links we open. I believe my first Internet search was the word, “modeling.” I wanted to see if my company would come up in the search. I was amazed to open a link with blatant sexual images. I had never seen pictures like that before. I did not “google” again for awhile.

The editor of EBC’s motives are questionable. His journalistic “investigation” is pathetic. He solicits complaints, ignores testimonials, conducts no true research, and distorts the facts. He publishes unsubstantiated, anonymous letters and curious customer complaints which our company never received. In appointing itself as a critic, the EBC demonstrates no legitimate background in the modeling field.

In rebuttal to EBC’s angry website, the Millie Lewis Conventions earn overwhelmingly positive comments from talent professionals and previous attendees. Unlike the EBC website, AMTC testimonials are from real people who sign their names. The national scouts in attendance have their names and businesses listed. AMTC has a perfect record with the Metropolitan Atlanta BBB (our home town). We are a three-generation family business that has been in continual operation for 25 years. My Mother, Millie Lewis, was a model in the late 1940’s and opened her first modeling and finishing school in 1960. She was inducted into the MAAI Models Hall of Fame. We have a long and distinguished track record, and an enormous number of famous graduates. Books that recommend the Millie Lewis Conventions include The Modeling Handbook by Eve Matheson and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Modeling by Roshumba Williams.

Quotes from the EBC website

EBC: “Expensive modeling conventions are like huge gambling casinos. Once the game is over and you lost, it was a huge, instant loss.”

Although I do not gamble, I feel this statement an uninformed analogy. The pursuit of modeling or talent is an education in self-improvement and career discovery. We have thousands of people, who did not “win,” but feel enriched by their experience. We have hundreds of letters on file and on our website, expressing strong feelings of accomplishment in many different ways and circumstances. One such letter was written by an AMTC parent.

Lori Dameron (Mom who brought her daughter to AMTC and was offended at the EBC website): “We attended the convention and found it to be a great learning tool and wonderful. By the way, my daughter does not have a success story from this convention. She did not get a call back. But what she did get was tons of information from people in the business. She gained so much self-confidence from all the positive experiences. Find a place where she can practice interviewing, runway, commercials, call backs, sitcom, cold-script reading, monologues etc– and get positive advice on all of the above from reputable people all in one place? I think you would be hard pressed to find a more meaningful place for potential talent to learn and grow and some to get actual work than this convention. It does cost money, but so does a summer camp. And if this is your child’s passion, as it is with my daughter, then it is well worth it. Please use common sense and fairness in your comments and postings…”

Lori Dameron, Kansas City

EBC belittled this mother’s letter, Do Olympic athletes who “lose,” (the great majority) feel they wasted valuable years in the pursuit of their dream? Do pageant contestants who “lose” (the great majority) feel they spent thousands of dollars on clothing, photography, entrance fees, and coaching as a “huge, instant loss?” Do college graduates, who never use their specific major or diploma (the great majority), feel the money and years spent in the pursuit of their future careers were useless?

EBC: “Please note the companies listed are not part of a black list.”

On every page of the EBC site, on every Internet listing, in every search engine, the words “scam,” “fraud investigation,” and “rapsheet” have been prominently displayed with the Millie Lewis name. In addition, these web tags appear every time anyone searches for information on “Millie Lewis.” EBC associates companies widely criticized in the press with those, such as Millie Lewis, which have never earned public disapproval. This is the publication of a blacklist. A “blacklist” is “a list of persons or organizations that have incurred disapproval or suspicion or are to be boycotted or otherwise penalized.” (dictionary.com). The intent to harm our business is obvious, beyond any cunning disclaimers.

EBC: “Call backs are signs of interest which may or may not be sincere….Agents can be paid to fake them.”

This is another unsubstantiated assertion EBC. We know it to be completely false. This allegation of graft is an insult to the many excellent Agents, Managers and Casting Directors who give of their time and expertise to come to AMTC, not just to discover new talent, but also to educate.

EBC: “They have a few big-name agencies they list, but most are small agencies/ schools.”

This quote from an unsigned letter is another example of irresponsible journalism. Whoever said this either did not come to a Millie Lewis event or did not read a program book. Of the average 70-100 Scouts who come to an average AMTC, only 2 are from viable, smaller markets- Charlotte and Nashville. The other 95% are national or international Agents, Managers, Casting Directors, or Record Executives, who together, have many hundreds of famous actors, models, singers, and dancers. We invite the public to look at our website to see the quality of the Agents, Managers, and Casting Directors who support Millie Lewis, as well as their comments about our event.

EBC: “The toughest critics of the Better Business Bureau have said you can buy the BBB. You can pay them, buy membership, and control what the record says about you.”

EBC both praises and criticizes the BBB, as it suits their purpose. EBC compares its website’s accuracy to the BBB, which is ludicrous. It is authored by one opinionated, negative, deceptive, and uncredentialed person. The BBB is a highly respected, national organization. It has offices all over the country, hundreds of staff members, and time-tested policies for dealing fairly with complaints. To insinuate that a company can “buy” BBB silence is absurd. When the BBB receives a complaint, trained analysts evaluate it. If they deem it justified, the business in question is contacted for a reply and/ or a resolution. If the complaint is ignored or a fair resolution is not achieved, BBB records on this company will reflect this complaint. To date, the Millie Lewis Conventions have a spotless record with the BBB. With 25 years, over 50 conventions, and tens of thousands of attendees coming to explore their hopes and dreams, we feel this is a noteworthy accomplishment.

EBC: “Some of the most unqualified model scouts are those men and women who scout for conventions…Legitimate model scouts are paid after the model gets work: bogus model scouts are paid before the model gets work.”

Once again, EBC’s remarks are unqualified and misleading. Modeling scouts for major agencies, like Elite or Next, are paid whether the models they discover succeed or not. These scouts can’t guarantee that selected models will work, any more than a convention can. The model may not possess the right personality, work ethic, or ability. In addition, the physical requirements to be a fashion model are limited, compared to the great majority of working models. On the other hand, Scouts for the Millie Lewis AMTC are not just looking for fashion models, but also for commercial models, children, actors of all shapes and sizes, singers, dancers, and comedians. They are trained to look for internal qualities beyond appearance or talent, including a positive attitude, a nice family, determination to succeed, and achievement in school, sports, or civic organizations. Millie Lewis Scouts realize, through many years of experience, that factors beyond beauty or talent determine ultimate success. No scout is always right. Scouting is an art– not a science. The most important qualities a consumer should look for in a Scout are honesty, success stories, and no promises.

“Extensive research has shown the common denominator in almost all modeling scams is up front fees. Modeling industry standards include no up front fees, no photo evaluation, no training fees. Agencies train models for free (if/when necessary).”

EBC in this statement, oversimplifies and distorts the facts, based on an apparent lack of industry knowledge. Unfortunately, these words may confuse parents and prospective models. EBC is correct in that agencies do not charge a registration fee. However, models pay many “up front” costs, including travel to and within the cities desired to visit the agencies- to see if the prospective model may be selected. These interview expenses can be significant.

A new model must pay her living expenses in a major city, significant photography and comp card fees, as well as smaller fees like postage. Misinformation is rampant that modeling is free. EBC is correct in that models do not pay for training in a major agency, but EBC seems unaware that major agencies don’t have the time to train. The unspoken truth is that national agencies have a “sink or swim” policy. If a young model “washes out” because of lack of knowledge or maturity, thousands of eager replacements await. Therefore, models must learn quickly, or they go home. National Agents have acknowledged that nine out of ten selected fashion models do not make it a career. Why would that be, considering that all ten selected models were believed to have the “look”? Our answer: they weren’t prepared for the experience; they weren’t educated.

At Millie Lewis, we have seen that training and preparation aid success. Millie Lewis Convention attendees, who are selected for national modeling, report to us that our convention experience helped them greatly. Common sense tells us that education enhances any career, especially one as competitive as modeling. The Millie Lewis Convention is acclaimed for its education, personal development, and discovery.

EBC: “Two of the most common things offered by modeling scam artists are modeling photos of a quality or quantity which new and aspiring models do not need, and training which a model does not need, or if it is needed, the reputable agency provides it free.”

Concerning the value of modeling education, please see our response above. We believe education is vital, and it is not free. National agents don’t have the time to properly train new models. The Millie Lewis Conventions help fill this need. We also strongly believe in traditional education, as do all reputable modeling and talent agents. Each Participant at the Millie Lewis Conventions must sign a “Behavior and Ethics Agreement,” which includes a pledge to make “good to excellent grades in school.”

As far as photos, EBC does not give the prospective model correct information. National modeling agents often ask for “clear snapshots or polaroids” for an initial look. Inevitably, they want to see how well the model photographs with a professional, using the right hair, makeup, lighting, and wardrobe. This is called “a test.” For some promising models, an poor snapshot get poor results. We at Millie Lewis know that well done test photos can help a model get signed. Finally, no photo is as effective as impressing the right Agent in person. Thus, a good convention is a valued live exposure to the broadest possible modeling market.

The reason major agents tell new models not to invest in expensive photos is they know that excellent photographers seldom work in cities outside of a major market. They don’t want models to waste money. Neither do we. However, the truth about photos should be clearly explained, without misleading information.

EBC: “They tell you to forget about the payment plan. You can’t get your money back either. Let’s just say something happens and you can’t attend, or you have paid half of it and something comes up. You have just lost your money.”

This unsigned, untrue comment was published without authenticating its information. It also includes inaccurate prices. Complete pricing information is available on the Q & A Section of our website. However, scholarship and sponsorship programs are also available. Payment plans vary for the convenience of the applicant. All standard, potential or optional fees are handed out in writing before any decision is made. In addition, reasonable refund policies are published. If a participant withdraws after the refund period expires, then all fees paid may be applied to a future event. We feel this is a fair policy similar to a rain check on any event. We fault EBC for printing consistently inaccurate information from questionable sources. Statements like this are why the BBB has been in business and trusted for so many years. They take the time to verify and resolve complaints before fault is assigned.

EBC: “I proved she (Carey Arban) was lying… from what the model (Cindy Crawford) said…”

I don’t like being called a liar. I was called a liar because I repeated a statement I heard in a workshop given by Marie Anderson. Ms. Anderson has been a respected Agent, Author, and Co-Owner of Aria in Chicago. The statement in question is that “Ms. Anderson discovered super-model, Cindy Crawford.” EBC disputes this claim based on the viewing of a TV show. He considers TV biographies of stars, like “Intimate Portrait” to be complete accounts of fact.

Yet again, the EBC editor demonstrates his lack of knowledge about the modeling industry, in addition to malicious intent to discredit me. Cindy Crawford did, indeed, model for Marie Anderson. When an Agent says he or she discovered a model, that does not mean that he “found her in a drug store.” It can also mean that Agent helped develop this model’s career. Ms. Anderson has been a true professional in this industry. The EBC editor is an anonymous imposter.

EBC: “Is the definition of a modeling convention’s success not the number of people who sign with, or who are offered representation buy, a modeling agency?”

I agree that contracts are part of a convention’s success. I am proud like a parent of our placements. Please see over 900 featured on our website. However, I am even prouder of the tremendous number of people who say that their lives have been enhanced and their self-confidence improved through the Millie Lewis Convention experience. What EBC does not acknowledge is that education and personal growth are the primary benefits of any successful convention- modeling, acting, or literally, any business in the world.

EBC: “Never, ever pay up front money for anything,” Sarah Doukas, President, Storm Agency, London

EBC loves this quote. Ms. Doukas told us by telephone that she never intended her quote to be used in this way, and that she was talking only about some unscrupulous companies in England. In fact, the Storm Agency regularly attended the Millie Lewis Convention. Would Ms. Doukas allow this if she did not approve of the Millie Lewis Convention? In attempts to borrow authority, EBC continually quotes industry personalities second-hand, out of context, harmfully, and without their knowledge or cooperation.

EBC: “Modeling…modeling…modeling…”

What about talent, talent, talent? The Millie Lewis Conventions offer a unique breadth of exposure for actors and performers; sixty percent of our participants come to learn about the talent field and meet its professionals. EBC ignores this aspect of AMTC. As opposed to modeling, acting agents don’t offer open calls. (A growing number of leading modeling agents no longer offer open calls either.) You can’t walk into an acting agency and “read a script,” for instance. New actors have difficulty getting seen by the right people. We are pleased that these “right people,” including top Agents, Managers, and Casting Directors believe in the Millie Lewis organization. AMTC actors and entertainers have enjoyed success on a national level. In addition, for our models who might become actors, like Mena Suvari, convention offers them a bonus of double discovery.

Conclusion

The U.S. Bill of Rights guarantees the freedom of speech. EBC abuses this right. This site intends harm to companies, including Millie Lewis. Misinformation harms the public. EBC revels in accusations that strike a chord of fear into the hearts and minds of the innocent and the uninformed. Perhaps one of the most notorious examples of a “fear-mongerer” is Joseph McCarthy. Senator McCarthy literally ruined hundreds of lives and businesses by accusing them of “communism.” Our revulsion at McCarthyism should lead us to condemn the similar tactics and insinuations of EBC. We repeat the ironic quote published about EBC, where it is called a “scammer trading on a crusader’s reputation.”

Global negativity and cursory advice may prevent aspiring talent from ever exploring their dreams. Young people, who can gain positive experiences from a healthy pursuit of a modeling, acting, or talent career, may never try. They are afraid. Good conventions, good schools, good agencies, and positive outcomes are real. In the Millie Lewis Convention, we try to unite the best Agents, Managers, Casting Directors, and Participants to educate, explore and safely realize these dreams. This goal has been the life’s work of three generations of the Millie Lewis family and many caring, like-minded colleagues around the world.

Yes, modeling scams are prominent today. I strongly disapprove of companies and practices that deceive the public. Selective use of truth, misleading information, posing as an expert, and outright lies are surely destructive. In these ways, easybackgroundcheck.com becomes exactly what it condemns. The best defenses against wrongdoing are truth and education. The Millie Lewis family will continue its 47-year mission to promote truth and education in the modeling and talent industries.

Carey Arban
carban@millielewis.com
678-783-0500