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.
BMG CEO Hartwig MasuchRights management company BMG has reached a new milestone with official industry figures showing it was the most successful music publir in Germany in the first six months of 2014 with a 20.86% share of the singles charts, according to research company GfK Entertainment.This was enough for it to overtake the establid “major” music publirs to take the Number One spot. In the same period of 2013 BMG’s chart share was 11.52%.It is the first time that BMG, founded just over five years ago, has been Number One publir in a major territory.BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch said, “This is the latest in a continuing series of milestones for BMG as we realize our vision of creating a new kind of artist-centric company. When we launched in 2008, some doubted whether we could compete with the establid majors. We have shown that by offering writers and artists exemplary service, an international network and a commitment to help them develop their careers we can indeed compete at the highest level.”Significantly, although BMGGermany scored strongly with international repertoire such as ‘Waves (Robin Schulz Remix)’ by Mr. Probz (twelve weeks in the Top 5 with more than 500,000 sold units) and ‘Dark Horse’ by Katy Perry feat. BMG songwriter Juicy J (eleven weeks in the Top 10 with more than 250,000 units sold) two-thirds of its success in 2014 came from local writers:* Rapper Kollegah, signed to BMG alongside his co-writers Kai Engelmann and Phillip Herwig, who at one stage this year had 18 tracks simultaneously in the German Top 100;* Andreas Bourani, and his co-writer Tom Olbrich, whose Number One hit ‘Auf Uns’ has sold 250,000 units and spent eight weeks in the Top 5;* Adam Kesselhaut, who co-wrote Germany’s contribution to the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 – ‘Is It Right’ by Elaiza, which has sold 160,000 units and spent six weeks in the Top 10;* Adel Tawil and his co-writer Sebastian Kirchner, whose ‘Lieder’ has sold 250,000 units and spent seven weeks in the Top 10;* and producer team The Krauts, co-writers of Marteria’s ‘Kids (2 Finger an den Kopf)’ which has sold almost 200,000 units and spent nine weeks in the Top 20.Hartwig Masuch paid tribute to the work of BMG Germany, headed by Managing Director Maik Pallasch. “Maik and his team deserve utmost credit for their achievement,” he said.Maik Pallasch said, “Contemporary music in Germany is going through an unprecedented period of creativity. We are delighted that so many emerging writers and artists are choosing BMG as their business partner.”
