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.
ESMP logoEntertainment Studios Motion Pictures (ESMP), the theatrical distribution division of Byron Allen’s global media company Entertainment Studios (www.entertainmentstudios.com), is proud to announce that it has acquired the animated feature ARCTIC DOGS (originally titled “Arctic Justice”) for U.S. distribution. ARCTIC DOGS is scheduled for wide theatrical release on over 3,500 screens in 2019. ESMP recently acquired ARCTIC DOGS at American Film Market 2018.ARCTIC DOGS was written by Cal Brunker & Bob Barlen (THE NUT JOB 2: NUTTY BY NATURE, THE SON OF BIGFOOT, ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH) and co-written and directed by Aaron Woodley (SPARK: A SPACE TAIL). ARCTIC DOGS was produced by Monika Bacardi and Andrea Iervolino, and executive produced by Byron Allen, Jennifer Lucas, Carolyn Folks, A.K. Madhavan, Danielle Maloni, and Francesca Silvani. Giovanni Cova is co-executive producer.ARCTIC DOGS tells the story of Swifty the Arctic fox (Academy Award® nominee Jeremy Renner), who stumbles upon a dark scheme to melt the Arctic. Swifty decides he must team up with his ragtag group of friends to try and save the day. ARCTIC DOGS co-stars many well-known actors portraying animated characters, including: Emmy® Award winner Heidi Klum (‘Jade’ and ‘Bertha’), Academy Award® nominee Alec Baldwin (‘PB’), Academy Award® nominee John Cleese (‘Otto Von Walrus’), Academy Award® nominee James Franco (‘Lemmy’), Academy Award® nominee Angelica Huston(‘Magda’), Michael Madsen (‘Duke‘), Omar Sy (‘Leopold’), and Laurie Holden (‘Dakota’).Allen’s ESMP released 2017’s highest-grossing independent movie, the Mandy Moore/Claire Holt shark thriller 47 METERS DOWN, which has grossed over $44 million to date. Recent ESMP theatrical movie releases include the critically-acclaimed Christian Bale Western HOSTILES, and the historic mystery-thriller CHAPPAQUIDDICK. Upcoming theatrical releases include the Keanu Reeves sci-fi thriller REPLICAS (January 11, 2019) and the John Krasinski/Emily Blunt-starring animated feature ANIMAL CRACKERS.”ARCTIC DOGS is a very entertaining and fun-filled animated movie,” said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Entertainment Studios. “ARCTIC DOGS is the perfect family movie, and represents our unwavering commitment to delivering high quality animated feature films.””Byron and the team at Entertainment Studios are relentless and highly effective in connecting movies with audiences, and with a broad, epic family feature like ARCTIC DOGS, their approach will allow the film to be discovered and embraced on a very wide scale,” said producer Andrea Iervolino, Co-Founder/President/CEO of Ambi Group. “They have outlined a masterful marketing and distribution plan that will allow this film to perform very well and we’re very happy to be in business with Entertainment Studios.”
