BOSTON, March 21 (UPI) -- Entertainment industry watchdogs say talent companies scamming would-be child stars in Los Angeles are viewing Massachusetts as a new hunting ground.
BizParentz Foundation co-founder Anne Henry, whose group advocates for child actors, said some talent companies hold local auditions for would-be child actors simply to lure the children into expensive acting classes and competitions, The Boston Herald said Sunday.
"The unscrupulous businesses look at Massachusetts as fertile ground," Henry warned.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts Attorney General's Office spokeswoman Amie Breton suggested that "consumers who are thinking about looking into going to one of these seminars should call around and look into the company."
The Herald said Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal personally offered a warning regarding talent companies such as THE, which offered at least two large auditions to Massachusetts residents during the last year.
"THE and similar organizations are not talent agents," Blumenthal said. "If consumers are seeking an agent to represent their child, look elsewhere."
