Don't Get Scammed: Here's How to Confirm Your Appointment
The last 3 years have been very frustrating and heartbreaking. People have shown up to my salon expecting a service from me, someone named Diane, and a few other names from DMX’s song "‘What These B*****s Want From Me’ - LOL.
The Spammer Scammers have been taking advantage of people and businesses, booking appointments that aren’t actually booked. They’re creating fake pages, sites, and booking links, leaving potential clients upset and financially strained.
Within a span of two days, I had told three people that the stylist they were looking for didn’t exist. As a business owner and beauty professional, I want to help you recognize the signs of a scam and how to confirm your appointment.
Check for Consistency - Does the Website or Booking Site Match the Social Pages?
This is always the first thing I look for before reaching out to a business. I look at pictures, reviews, and the website - are the brand colors consistent? Is there a picture of the owner? Do the backgrounds in the pictures match?
Check the source where you're booking your appointment. If someone reaches out via DM, text, or an unfamiliar website, take a pause. Most professionals typically use established, secure booking platforms (like Acuity, Vagaro, Square, or GlossGenius), and many of us do not take appointments through private messages. If you’re unsure, head to our official website or social media profiles—most of us list our booking methods and links there. Look for verification, consistent branding, and contact information you can confirm.
Look for inconsistencies in pricing, policies, or even the stylist's name compared to the salon's website. Be wary of unusual payment requests, like upfront payments (of “25$” - the dollar sign behind the numbers, really?!) through unconventional methods or requests to transfer money to a third party you’ve never heard of or can’t authenticate.
Trust Your Instincts
If the communication seems rushed, overly casual, or pressuring you to pay upfront through a sketchy payment method, that’s a red flag 🚩. When in doubt, contact the beauty professional directly through their verified business page, email, or phone number. You deserve a smooth and trustworthy experience when booking beauty services. Taking a few extra seconds to confirm the details can save you time, money, and stress.
A client who almost got scammed called to verify the salon existed and to make sure the person she was speaking to via DM was the person who answered the phone. I had to let her know that I was the only person who worked at my salon, and I do online booking only - no DMs. I told her I was glad she verified before paying money up front.
Don't let excitement cloud your judgment!
Taking a few extra steps can help you avoid becoming a victim of a beauty scam and ensure your booking is for a real, reputable service.
If you’re reading this, I am a real service provider. My name is Tosha (some call me Toe-sha), and I offer professional services and healthy hair solutions. You may verify my business on the social platforms below or on Google.
Comment below if you’ve been caught in a web of lies by the spammer scammers, and what the outcome has been when trusting businesses.