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.
Image from Red Velvet video with over 88 million YouTube views since mid JanOver the last couple of years, many people in radio have talked about the R&B Genre diminishing and listeners have often complained that the last great R&B groups were in the 90s and don’t exist today. Of course, they are talking about boy bands like Jodeci, Guy, Jagged Edge, Boyz II Men, Troop, Next and several others. R&B writers are still around but everybody has to eat. The 90s is getting a revamp today as everything from Vinyl to TV shows make a comeback. Will this happen with R&B groups? No word yet but if the demand is there it will happen.In the states, the lifespan of musicians, producers, and writers can often be shortlived but legendary and honored in other countries like Korea. Seasoned R&B writers and producers noticing the declining work and the request to mimic more rap tracks for R&B singers have opted to seek greater opportunities elsewhere, several legends like Teddy Riley and Harvey Mason Jr. have headed over to Korea for KPop where the singers and the audience still crave more traditional R&B. This is no different than black Jazz artists who found huge fanbases, monetary gain and supreme appreciation for their music in Japan when America didn’t have as much interest in the genre after the 60s. See video below of Korean Girl Group Red Velvet… sound familiar?
