Hair salons lured elderly customers with cheap haircuts, then misled them into paying up to S$1,000 for treatments they never agreed to buy.
KEY POINTS
IN SIMPLE TERMS
Some hair salons used sneaky tricks to trick elderly people. They offered very cheap haircuts, but then convinced customers to buy expensive treatments by showing fake health problems on a screen. One elderly person paid nearly S$1,000 after coming in for an S$8 haircut.
WHY IT MATTERS
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Should businesses that deliberately target and mislead elderly consumers face criminal penalties or closure, beyond just refunds and undertakings?
👍 👎 Vote ↓Hair salons lured elderly customers with cheap haircuts before misleading them into paying for expensive treatments they never agreed to purchase.
In a recent announcement by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS), companies running hair salons under the “HairFun” brand have admitted to unfair trade practices that targeted elderly consumers.
The announcement, dated 4 June 2025, reveals that these companies and their directors have provided undertakings to CCCS.
They have agreed to stop the unfair practices and refund affected customers.
The companies involved are Hairfun Beauty Pte. Ltd. and Hairfun Pte. Ltd., which operate salons in Ang Mo Kio and Tampines respectively.
A third salon under the brand, operated by Scissor & Comb Pte. Ltd. at Toa Payoh Central, was also investigated.
CCCS began their investigations following a referral from the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE).
CASE had received numerous complaints about questionable sales tactics used by HairFun employees.
In response, CCCS conducted unannounced visits to all three HairFun outlets in October 2024.
The investigation found that unfair practices by Hairfun Beauty Pte. Ltd. and Hairfun Pte. Ltd. targeting elderly consumers occurred between May 2023 and July 2024.
During this period, these 2 salons targeted elderly consumers with offers of free or low-cost haircuts ranging from S$4 to S$10.
The CCCS investigation revealed several concerning practices aimed at vulnerable elderly consumers.
The companies were found to have misled consumers about needing expensive treatment packages.
They charged customers for costly services and packages that the consumers had never asked for.
One clear example involved an elderly consumer who visited the Ang Mo Kio salon for an S$8 haircut.
During the haircut, a salon employee showed the customer images on a screen.
The elderly customer was charged nearly S$1,000 for a hair wash and a ten-session treatment package they never agreed to purchase.
The consumer later consulted a doctor who confirmed their head and scalp were completely normal with no haemorrhaging.
“CCCS is concerned about elderly consumers being targeted and misled by errant businesses to pay for services that they did not agree to purchase,” said Mr Alvin Koh, the Chief Executive of CCCS.
The HairFun companies and their directors, Mr. Roland Teo Jian Hao and Mdm. Chiong Hong Hioh, have formally admitted to the unfair trade practices.
They have provided undertakings to CCCS promising to stop all unfair trade practices.
They have also agreed to work with CASE to resolve all complaints related to unfair practices.
Additionally, they have committed to providing a five-day cooling-off period for customers to cancel prepaid packages and receive a refund.
The companies have already begun refunding affected consumers.
Almost all refunds have been completed, with the total amount refunded reaching about S$12,500.
In light of this case, CCCS has issued advice for both businesses and consumers.
Businesses are reminded to suggest and provide goods and services that genuinely meet customer needs.
They should never mislead customers or use undue pressure to make sales.
“In dealing with vulnerable consumers, which may include the elderly, businesses must exercise extra care and check that they fully understand and agree to what they are buying, including the price, before they complete the sale,” advised Mr Alvin Koh.
For consumers, CCCS emphasizes that they should not feel obliged to pay for goods or services they did not request.
Consumers should always check the services and price carefully before making payment.
“On their part, consumers should not feel obliged to pay for goods or services that they did not ask for and should, in fact, satisfy themselves about the services and the price they will be paying for such services before making payment,” CCCS stated.
Mr Alvin Koh noted that Singapore has a growing elderly population.
In response, CCCS plans to increase community outreach specifically aimed at educating seniors.
This initiative will help older Singaporeans better protect themselves from unfair business practices.
The public can report unfair trade practices by contacting CASE at 6277 5100 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Reports can also be filed online at https://crdcomplaints.azurewebsites.net/.
Do you think businesses that target vulnerable elderly consumers with unfair practices should face stricter penalties beyond refunds and undertakings?
Should businesses that deliberately target and mislead elderly consumers face criminal penalties or closure, beyond just refunds and undertakings?
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