HairFun Salons in AMK, Toa Payoh & Tampines accused of targeting elderly & unwanted billings, authorities investigating

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) has commenced investigations into three HairFun salons for "suspected unfair trade practices".

The salons are located at Block 410 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Block 190 Toa Payoh Lorong 6, and Block 505 Tampines Central, according to a joint media release issued by CCCS and the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) on Oct. 2.

CCCS's investigations came after Case received 34 complaints about the salon's sales tactics between Dec. 1, 2022 and Apr. 22, 2024, said Case's president Melvin Yong in a Facebook post.

These tactics include "targeting and exploitation of elderly consumers, concealing payment amounts during NETS transitions, charging significantly higher prices without prior agreement, and billing consumers for unwanted treatments or packages with their clear consent".

Management of salons 'failed to respond' to Case

According to CCCS and Case, HairFun salons are operated by Hairfun Beauty Pte Ltd, Hairfun Pte Ltd, and Scissor & Comb Pte Ltd.

Case said it had attempted to resolve the issues raised by complainants with the salons, but its attempts "were unsuccessful".

As Case continued to receive complaints against the salons between September 2023 and January 2024, it "warned the operators of the salons against such practices".

At the same time, Case also invited the operators "to sign a Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) to cease any unfair trade practices and refund affected consumers".

However, the management of the salons "failed to respond", and the matter was subsequently referred to CCCS for investigation.

Salons used to operate under another name

When CCCS conducted its unannounced visits on Oct. 2 afternoon, it obtained "information and documents" at the respective HairFun salons, according to the media release.

The director of the operator of HairFun salons was also "issued a CCCS notice to produce information and documents".

The media release did not specify what kinds of information and documents were required and obtained by CCCS.

Investigations by CCCS further revealed that HairFun salons had previously operated under another name, "Scissor & Comb".

Scissor & Comb was similarly accused of "billing consumers for unwanted treatments or packages without their explicit consent" from 2018 to 2022, said CCCS and Case.

CCCS investigations to continue

CCCS said it will "continue with its investigations" and "consider the evidence gathered to determine whether to take enforcement action against the respective HairFun salons".

"If CCCS finds that any of the HairFun salons have engaged, or are engaging, in unfair trade practices, it may seek court orders against them to, amongst other things, stop the unfair trade practices," added CCCS.

CCCS and Case also reminded customers that HairFun salons have been placed on Case's company alert list and urged them to check the list before entering into consumer transactions with the salons.

Members of the public who would like to "report cases of unfair trade practices by HairFun salons or 'Scissor & Comb' salons" can contact Case via its hotline at 6277 5100 or submit a complaint online, said CCCS and Case.

Top image via CCCS & Case