Privacy concern with Elena's

[Momus]

This isn't at all a scam warning, but I wasn't sure where else to post it. As those who read my trip report know, I used Elena's Models in my search and have been very satisfied with their service. That hasn't changed, but...

Last night, M received a call from an American TV producer. A local cable channel in California is doing a show on MOBs, and the producer has had trouble finding women who are fluent in English. He contacted EM, and without asking M's permission or even notifying her, they gave him her home phone number.

Obviously, on the spectrum of unethical behavior that agencies engage in, this one isn't so bad. But I still consider it unethical behavior, and I thought I would pass it along. Perhaps some of the guys here can avoid paying EM's membership fees and simply acquire women's contact info from them by claiming to be a TV producer. 

[BillyB]

A lot of people have said good things about Elena's models but I'm beginning to hear more and more bad things about her agency.

Don't let your gal go on any shows or say anything to a reporter. A guy on one of the forums recently went on an American daytime TV show to talk about MOB's with a few other guys and agency owners and it was a joke giving a black eye to people who participate in this endeavor. More ammo for the stereotype that we're all losers.

[Momus]

No worries, Billy. She wanted my opinion, but I think she'd already made up her own mind: hell no.

[tim 360]

Most businesses will bend over backwards for free positive advertising via the news. 

In todays media enviroment I would have to agree with Billy,  To NOT give out any info or get placed in front of a camera.  Today most venues are looking for "dirty laundry" and no matter what you say or do they will edit and slant it in a negative way to get more viewers.  Thats what pays the bills.

Back in 97 I did preliminary work for a segment for a network Newsmag about the RW thing.  Called 2 of the large agencies at the time and gave them my name and the show and next day Fedex arrived with lists of their clients.  Called a bunch of them and got a mix of results.  Some were pretty positive,  some said they would not do it again.  Some had married an RW they met on the trip and had been married for 1 or 2 years. 

Other segments had a higher priority and the RW segment idea got shelved at that time.

Information Momus?  Today one can always get information.  That is why privacy is so important.   Cheerio, Tim360

[Infoman]

Even though I am NOT a member of EM - yet - I truly believe that they are about the only agency out there that is completely trustworthy.  That's NOT to say that there will not be some issues along theway that may have to be dealt with, like this one...OR that they can 100% prevent a scammer from coming to their site, but what I DO know is that for any issue that comes up, they are VERY prompt to recognize it and do something about it.  I applaud them for this kind of service and concern.  And while it doesn't make the point of what this thread is about any less important, I did ask them about this matter, and here was their response...

"Our local Moscow manager really gave the lady's phone number to the TV producer. Such incident won't recur in the future.".

They admitted wrong-doing by their Moscow manager and have dealt with the situation.   That's more of a response that you would get with most other agencies.  Again, NOT a member currently...know nobody there, nobody is paying me to say any of this....I just call it as I see it, and I am relaying this information to others on this board in hopes that it will benefit someone here, now or later.

Thanks...

Infoman