HairSellon – Using this Website Safely

Warnings, Scams, Alerts, and Advice on Using this Website Safely

Unlike other hair trade marketplaces, HairSellon has a unique advanced monitoring and fraud prevention system. This is what makes HairSellon safer and better than the alternative hair trade websites. However, we do ask you to read the safety advice throughout the website.

It is for your own safety that we stress the importance of reading our hair trading guides to protect hair buyers and sellers using this site.

We take this time to reiterate that although we do everything we can to make this a safe and successful environment to conduct business we are not responsible for transactions between buyers and sellers.

If you think you have been contacted by a fraudulent user or scammer do not reply to their message. Instead contact us immediately with their details through the Contact Form

Our Fraud Prevention Methods
There are some core concepts in force on this website to prevent fraud:

  • When you register on HairSellon your IP address is collected. Many websites, particularly marketplace websites, collect this info like us to make a safer environment.
  • All registrants are then cross-checked across a global scammer database and are blacklisted/blocked if neccessary. Fraudulent or suspicous user behaviour will also result in being blocked from accessing this website and a growing number of other websites we work with to prevent fraudulent or deconstructive activity.
  • When you contact someone through the HairSellon interface your IP address is automatically sent within the message footer. If your messaging is inappropiate it will be reported.
  • Hair sellers sign an online agreement when they list an advert on HairSellon stating that deliberate/purposeful misleading in their adverts will result in buyer refund.
  • Sellers hold on to a portion of the hair they are selling, and postal proof for their own evidence if buyers invoke a refund claim.
  • PayPal is used to deal with transactions. Hair is never sent until Paypal payment clears. PayPal enables safe payment for the seller but also recourse against the seller for the buyer should they be found guilty of misdescription.
Recognising Scams/Fraud
The most common examples of Scam attempts on HairSellon often involve one of the following:

  • An Inquiry from someone far away, often in another country.
  • Offering Payment through Western Union, Money Gram, certified/cashier’s check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a “guarantee.”
  • Fake PayPal payment notification emails to your email address (always login to your PayPal account directly through the PayPal website to check for payments).
  • Buyers requesting sellers to send hair while money is ‘pending’ in PayPal account
  • Sellers requesting buyers to send money as family/friends and not using a proper PayPal invoice.
  • Asking you to use their own courier, and send that courier money to cover shipping costs
  • Requests for video evidence of the hair cutting prior to payment being received
  • People asking for personal/financial details.

Scam Examples in More Detail

1. Emails or contact from someone claiming to be from HairSellon

  • One scam example is where someone impersonates or claims to be from HairSellon, stating they can certify a buyer, guarantee a transaction or asks for your personal or financial details.
  • Advice – Do not reply and report the email immediately to HairSellon through the Contact Form

2. Cashier/Certified/Teller’s Checks, Money Orders, MoneyGram, Western Union

  • A buyer will offer to purchase your hair and send you one of these types of check or a money order.
  • Often the amount will exceed the price agreed and the buyer will request you send them the surplus amount or pay the shipper with it
  • The check/money order will be fake, and banks will sometimes hold you responsible when the check fails to clear.
  • Read – How to tell if a Cashiers Check is Fake in 30 Seconds
  • Best Advice – Avoid this type of payment altogether and report anyone who offers it to HairSellon. Use PayPal instead.

3. Video of cut for ‘proof’ or ‘Good Faith’

  • Before purchasing your hair a buyer will ask for video proof of you cutting some hair as a sign of authenticity and good faith.
  • You take the video, send it to the buyer and never hear back from them.
  • Best Advice – Ask for payment first.

4. Buyers offering a large amount of money on a cut first basis

  • Buyers offer a large amount of money for you to film shaving your hair off, but will only pay once you’ve sent them the video.
  • Buyers may even show videos of previous victims as ‘proof’ of the process.
  • You send the video and never hear back or receive the money
  • Best Advice – Our number one rule: take payment first.
Fraud Advice for Buyers
People list their hair on this website because they want to sell it. If you find anyone responding to your enquiries in a strange or negative manner our advice is simply not to pursue any further.

Pay through PayPal. If there is recourse against the seller for a refund the dispute is much easier settled with PayPal.

Please read the full How to Buy Hair Guide and follow the advice provided in here.

Fraud Advice for Sellers
Never cut your hair until the payment has been received and confirmed. If using PayPal this means waiting for the payment to clear (which in most cases is immediate, but can take a few days for echeques etc). In cases where hair is already cut this is obviously not always an option.

We strongly recommend using PayPal to receive the money for your hair sale. Fraudulent buyers will often try and use alternative payment methods such as certified checks, cashier cheques, Western Union, or MoneyGram instead. They regularly send payment amounts larger than discussed; a strong signal of a fraudulent buyer.

Beware of fake PayPal payment notification emails. Always login to your PayPal account to check payment status directly, don’t rely on an email.

Be wary of people requesting you to snip off a portion of your hair on video or over skype. These can be legitimate buyers looking for proof, but not always. We highly recommend waiting till payment clears if the buyer requires video proof of cutt.

Always retain a small portion of your hair for evidence and hold on to it for at least 2 months following the sale.

Please read the full How do I sell My Hair Guide and follow the advice provided.

What Happens to bad Users
We use advanced website monitoring and activity records on this website to find and prevent illegal activity.

When you sign up to HairSellon your IP address is collected. All registrants are initally cross-checked across a global scammer database and blocked website access if neccessary. We add people to the scammer database if we find them.

Fraudulent or misbehaviour from users of this website will result in them being blocked from accessing this website and a growing number of other websites we work with to prevent fraudulent or deconstructive activity.

When you contact someone through the HairSellon interface your IP address is automatically sent within the message footer and inappropiate messaging will result in you being blocked.

Imagine finding yourself unable to access your favourite websites one day. This is what will happen if you misuse this website!