Scammers are targeting clients looking to get their hair braided by using real stylists’ work and creating fake social media pages.
Reports of Scams
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is receiving reports of scams targeting individuals wanting braids. Scammers take pictures from legitimate stylists and post them on fake social media pages.
Potential clients find the fake pages and book appointments, often making small deposits. Clients realize they have been scammed when they do not hear back from the supposed stylist on the appointment day.
Real stylists like Porsche Hensley, who has been braiding hair for over 10 years and owns Divine Innovation 615 in Nashville, are affected. Hensley reported instances where clients arrived for appointments, only to find out they were scammed.
Precautions to Avoid Scams
BBB advises not to pay for the service in full before the appointment. Visit the stylist’s location before booking. Verify the stylist’s work by searching for them online and including the word “scam” after their name. Ask for the stylist’s license number and verify it.
Despite the scams, stylists like Porsche Hensley remain undeterred and continue their work.
Conclusion
Scammers exploiting the popularity of hair braiding are causing issues for both clients and legitimate stylists. Clients are advised to take precautions to ensure they are booking authentic services.
The #1 Destination for Music Discovery Featuring 3 Days of Genre-Diverse Artists, With Performances by Kidd Kenn, Beauty School Dropout, Charlotte Sands, Danielle Ponder, Aiden Bissett and More.
BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) is excited to announce the return of the BMI Stage at Lollapalooza for its sixteenth year, from Thursday, August 3 to Sunday, August 6. Twenty-four must-see acts will hit the stage over four days with performances spanning across multiple genres including pop-punk, hip-hop, rap, R&B, Latin pop/rock, indie, alternative, and so much more. The BMI Stage will feature headlining sets from Kidd Kenn, TiaCorine, Ari Abdul and Rosa Linn.
“BMI is so excited to be returning to Lollapalooza for our 16th year with a lineup that is once again filled with incredible artists across many different genres,” said BMI’s VP, Creative, New York, Samantha Cox. “We always look forward to working with the C3 team to ur in a new class of talent to the BMI stage at Lollapalooza in an intimate setting, introducing audiences to their next favorite artist before they’re featured on the main stages. We can’t wait to showcase another weekend of music that will blow attendees away.”
Some of today’s most successful artists have graced the BMI Stage at Lollapalooza early in their careers, including Lady Gaga (2007), Cage the Elephant (2007), Ke$ha (2009), Justin Tranter’s Semi Precious Weapons (2010), Bebe Rexha (2011), X Ambassadors (2012), Chance The Rapper (2013), Vic Mensa (2014), Halsey (2015), Elle King (2015), Sofi Tukker (2017), MAX (2017), Upsahl (2019) and many others.
For more information on the BMI Stage, please visit, https://www.bmi.com/special/lollapalooza-2023 and follow @BMI on Twitter for updates on your favorite acts. To join the conversation, use #BMILolla.
BMI is proud to present and sponsor stages at Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Music Festival (October 7-9 and October 14-16). BMI’s partnership with these elite festivals is designed to offer more prime showcasing opportunities to its songwriters, a distinct priority of the organization. For more information on Lollapalooza visit, www.lollapalooza.com and for more information on Austin City Limits Music Festival, visit www.aclfestival.com.
