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.
Modus Operandi
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.
Impact on Legitimate Businesses
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.
Continuing the Business
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.
Akon “El Negreeto” Out NowAs part of his Global Music Takeover, international superstar, Akon, releases his highly anticipated full-length Spanish album El Negreeto, which is available on all digital platforms today via Akonik Label Group. This is the first of four project releases the superstar will drop this year alone!The 8-track LP includes Akon’s May release “Get Money” with Anuel AA, and “Como No” ft. Becky G.El Negreeto also includes stunning collaborations with artists from a number of Latin American countries including Brazilian artist, Anitta, Puerto Rican artist Farruko, Dominican artist Fuego and of course the popular Cuban artist Pitbull. Akon played a pivotal role in the curation of this album, not only did he take his time writing, recording, and producing El Negreeto entirely in Spanish but he also teamed up with key Latin producer and Latin Grammy Award-winning artist Maffio, to ensure the album embodied and truly represented Latin culture. Additional songwriters on El Negreeto include Camilo, Erika Ender, Mau & Ricky, Jon Leone, and Iamchino.See the tracklist here:1.Te Quiero Amar (feat. Pitbull)2. Bailame Lento3. Como No (feat. Becky G)4. Boom Boom (feat. Anitta)5. Dile6. Innocente7. Solo Tu (feat. Farruko)8. Baila ConmigoEl Negreeto kicks things off with a little bit of reggaetón, Bachata and even some merengue. Akon explores new sounds and lets creativity take over. We will see him deep dive into genre bending music as he readies the release of more projects including his afrobeats album, Akonda due out October 25 and a classic Akon album The Konnect out November 22. This global music takeover is Akon’s stamp on the world and his message is loud and clear, we are all connected through a universal language – music.With over 35 million albums sold worldwide and 5 Grammy Nominations, Akon is a key player in the global music industry. Recognizing not only mainstream genres but culture shifting sounds, Akon is ready to share music with the world. He states “this project is not just about the music, it is passion. I have always been influenced by various genres of music, Latin, Reggae, Afropop and even Hindi. So it was very important to create a project that truly represented the culture and I did that by teaming up with artists and producers from all over Latin America. El Negreeto is only the beginning. Be on the lookout for my other project releases this year because this really is a global music takeover.”
