A beauty salon owner in San Diego has been left feeling violated and out of pocket after two customers allegedly walked out without paying for hundreds of pounds worth of treatments on New Year's Eve.
The Elaborate Pre-Booking Ruse
Andrea Velez, the owner of Makeup and Style Salon, typically requires credit card details to secure appointments. However, when one of the two women called to book, she claimed to be driving and unable to read out her card information. Instead, she offered her Cash App details, which the trusting Velez accepted.
The pair, who presented themselves as a mother and daughter, booked services totalling almost $600, paying only a $50 deposit. They then spent around five hours in the salon receiving multiple treatments.
Champagne and Caviar Distractions
Velez explained that the women were exceptionally distracting during their visit. They even posed for promotional videos the owner intended to use on social media. As the appointment concluded, they reportedly offered Velez gifts, including a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne, along with caviar, fruit, and chocolates.
"They were very good at what they do and they were distracting me with gifts," Velez stated on social media. When it came time to process the remaining $550 balance, the mother allegedly asked if Velez wanted the champagne and then walked out before the payment could be finalised.
A Costly Lesson and a Warning to Others
"Immediately I called and I texted, and I said 'hey, it didn’t go through'," Velez said. She received no response. Despite the financial loss, Velez still had to pay her stylist, who had worked for five hours on the clients despite having a sick baby at home.
Velez has since filed a police report and shared Ring doorbell camera footage and the promotional videos online in hopes of identifying the women. She stated her intention is to "warn my fellow beauty professionals along with anyone else that has a small business to watch out because evil people exist."
Another salon owner has since contacted Velez to say she was allegedly targeted by the same scam but was too embarrassed to come forward. Both incidents are now under investigation by San Diego police for theft of services.
Velez vows to revise and strictly enforce her payment policy, including taking half of cash payments upfront. "This was a HUGE lesson for me," she wrote, "and unfortunately, some of the best lessons have to sting the most to really learn and remember them."
