Salon PK on the Southside says they’ve had about 20 people arrive at their salon with appointments for a stylist who doesn’t work there.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville hair salon is raising awareness about an alleged scam involving a hairstylist advertising services on social media and directing customers to a salon where they do not work.
Employees at Salon PK on Jacksonville’s Southside say more than a dozen people have recently arrived at the business believing they had booked appointments with a hair braider they found on TikTok. According to salon staff, the customers said they received appointment confirmations, paid deposits or full payments, and were given the salon’s address for their appointments.
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When they arrived, they learned the hairstylist did not work there.
Charlina Williams, manager of Salon PK, said one encounter involved a father and his daughter.
“We had a gentleman that came to the salon earlier last week and he was bringing his little girl in to get her hair done for school,” Williams said. “He said ‘I have an appointment with Kim,’ and we’re like, well, we don’t have a Kim here.”
Williams said the customer showed salon employees the address he had been given.
“It was our address,” Williams said. “He said ‘and I paid the full amount for her to get her hair done and she’s not here.’ I said no sir. I said I believe you’ve been scammed.”
Williams said about 20 people have come into the salon with similar stories in the last two weeks.
The person advertising the services offered braid packages that included washing, styling and braiding hair for $80 for children and $120 for adults. Williams said those prices were significantly lower than what many professional braiders typically charge.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” Williams said.
The salon has reported the incidents to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and posted signs outside the business with information for people who believe they may have been affected.
Williams is encouraging people to take extra steps to verify a hairstylist before sending money online. She says the most important thing is to try and talk to your hairstylist over the phone or in person if possible.
“Can I come in for a consultation? Can we meet? Can we talk about my hair care needs?” Williams said. “There’s nothing wrong with that. If they refuse, then there’s something wrong.”
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating the reported scam. Anyone who believes they have been a victim is encouraged to contact the agency through its non-emergency line at 904-630-0500.
