Hollywood Profiles

Hollywood Profiles is a public access general purpose profile hosting web site and community for models, actors, photographers, agencies, or any other form of talent. The company provides a hosting service for person to person display, marketing, and communication on a professional level between models and photographers and agents.

The company advertises a free 14 day trial service as an introductory offer. According to the company, respondents may cancel within the 30 day period without penalty or obligation. To cancel within the 30 day period, clients must send a written request to the company as notice of cancellation. There is a one-time $98.90 profile/account creation and setup fee and a $16.95 per month fee to maintain your personal profile and website. All fees are non-refundable. You can call to cancel your membership at any time by calling the toll free number on your membership card, or by sending notification in writing.

We urge caution before agreeing to trial offers or giving your credit card number to unfamiliar companies with unfamiliar services. Once your credit card number has been provided for any reason, it will remain on file with the seller for shipping and billing purposes. If you forget to cancel, or for any reason fail to do so, your card number is readily available to bill for your first month of service.

FTC Guidelines for advertising this type of offer require that all terms and conditions of the offer, as well as cancellation instructions, be clearly and conspicuously displayed in at least 10 point type before asking for payment or obtaining the customer's consent. Clearly and conspicuously means, NOT disclosed in microscopic print accessed by a web link to another site, but rather, disclosed along with the free trial solicitation.

Regardless, many consumers overlook the advisory, and are unaware of the charge until their next monthly credit card statement. In this company's case, consumers complain that the company's website does not clearly disclose the terms and conditions of service, or cancellation policies. Industry guidelines require marketers to provide a fast easy method of canceling, either by mail, phone, or website, Failure to do so may be a violation of consumer protection laws.

Most credit card issuers will allow the cardholder 60 days to dispute an unauthorized or inaccurate charge. Review your monthly statement carefully. If you discover a charge which is unfamiliar, investigate and dispute the amount with your card issuer as soon as possible to protect yourself from making unwanted purchases.