Press Accreditation, Is it a scam?

[phototrainer]

I recently came across a company online who for $99 dollars and a small picture of yourself would email you back an "accreditated press pass" If an organisation contacted them they would then verify you were there as a press photographer. This raised a few concerns for me.

Is it legitimate?

How can a company vouch for you when all the recieve are contact details $99 dollars and a little information provided by yourself?

Is this not likely to cause problems for legitimate photographers if people successfully get into restricted areas (or near vulnerable people e.g. children)due to people being conned into thinking people are something they are not?

I would like to think most organisations are able to recognise this is not as official as it may seem. I thought it was a little thought provoking and would be interestedinto hearing other peoples views.

Is it not better to get the proper acreditation from the media, I kniw this can be difficult, but there are ways to achieve this and become representatives of the media in the UK.

This has made me think of a wider aspect of photography, Should photography at events be controlled by organisers or should it be everyman for himself?
Nick

[brucep]

Places which accept press passes are watching for standard passes issued by the standard agency for doing so, not some fly by night company. Last I heard, in California, they were issued by the California Highway Patrol for accident, fire, etc. coverage. If a photographer wants admittance to a sporting event, there's another specific clearing house for that which those enforcing the rules are familiar with.

In short, it's a scam. you might as well print your own and have your brother waiting on the phone in case they call... It won't work.

Welcome to the Photozo. By the way, don't put the same post in multiple threads... it'll get read... and having all of the comments in one place makes them MUCH easier to read.

I'm looking forward to seeing some of your photos in your free 10MB Photozo gallery.

[phototrainer]

Sorry about posting twice, I hit the wrong button and had not realised that I had posted twice. I thought it is important to inform photographers and event organisers about such scams. I first came across it at an event last week. It is a nuisance in the uk and photographers will say they represent magazines etc to gain entry. I teach people that if you want to develop a business integrity is important and it is not worth having to use deciept to get your photographs

[Landis]

Of course it is NOT Legitimate!!! It's about as legit as the people who sell University Diplomas on line. I met a man from Florida in a computer store in Panama who told me he and his wife sell diplomas on line. As soon as he told me that, I walked away, not wanting to get involved with him at all. I guess there are enough stupid people out there who could never get into any college, but want a diploma and think it will do them some good.