April 2010
Texas Barber & Cosmetology News
(512) 463-6599 or 1-800-803-9202
www.license.state.tx.us
COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM
P.O. Box 12088 Austin, Texas 78711
cs.cosmetologists@license.state.tx.us
BARBER PROGRAM
P.O. Box 13489 Austin, Texas 78711
cs.barbers@license.state.tx.us
Texas cosmetologists have been targeted by two different scams in 2010; one involved a fraudulent letter sent to cosmetology licensees and the other was an individual impersonating a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) compliance inspector taking cash payments for supposed violations.
On first glance, the unlawful letter appeared to be a license renewal form but on closer examination it was apparent to cosmetology licensees the letter was not from TDLR. The letter was from a company named PCS and asked Texas cosmetologists to send $53 to an out-of-state address.
Quick thinking licensees alerted TDLR of their suspicions concerning the letter. The agency immediately investigated and sent a warning by email to all cosmetologists signed up to receive notifications, as well as a press release to newspapers and television stations. TDLR’s General Counsel and Enforcement divisions swiftly started work on apprehending the scammer and continues its investigation into the matter.
The second scam involved a man entering salons and introducing himself as a TDLR compliance inspector. He would then proceed to walk around “inspecting” the shop. After discussing alleged violations with the salon owner or manager, he requested cash payment to resolve the issue and unfortunately, several people paid.
This con man’s downfall came when he left his briefcase in a salon he had “inspected.” The salon owner’s mistrust of the man led her to call TDLR. The personal identification left behind in the briefcase identified the impostor as a former TDLR licensee. The Department is currently looking for this phony and will press charges against him for impersonating a State inspector.
TDLR compliance inspectors ALWAYS have TDLR identification badges and will NEVER request cash payment for violations. If a violation is found you will receive a copy of the TDLR Proof of Inspection form from the inspector. The form describes the violations noted during the inspection and contains information on the next step you should take to resolve the matter.
If you have a question relating to your license call TDLR’s Customer Service at 800-803-9209. Renew your license online at www.license.state.tx.us. It is the quick, easy and safe way to keep your license current.
Every month, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has cosmetology and barbering licenses returned to them by the U.S. Postal Service because the licensee failed to file a change of address with TDLR. As a result, licenses that already have been paid for do not make it into the hands of the people who earned them. Those licensees may not work as a cosmetologist or a barber until they change their address and acquire their license.
But the real down side is that it may end up costing the licensee an additional fee for a duplicate license.
Remember, if you move and your mailing address changes, barbers and cosmetologists are required to file a change of address with TDLR within 30 days. This not only allows TDLR to keep track of its licensees, it also benefits you as a license holder.
If a change of address is not filed with the agency, you may not receive important correspondence that can affect your license status, such as your license renewal notice or even your license itself. Hundreds of renewal notices are returned to TDLR every month because the license holder failed to file a change of address with the agency.
There are several ways barbers and cosmetologists may file a change of address with TDLR. You can email the information to barbers@license.state.tx.us or cosmetologists@license.state.tx.us. You also may call (512) 463-6599, or fax your new information to (512) 475-2871. To change your address by mail, send a note containing your new information to TDLR, Licensing Division, P.O. Box 12088, Austin, TX 78711.
Whatever method you select to file your change of address, be sure to include your new address, your email address, your license number and your name as it appears on your license.
Renewing your license online is fast, easy and safe at
http://www.license.state.tx.us/cosmet/cosmetforms.htm#online
Cosmetology Shear NumbersOperators........................107,650 * Dual number also listed in barber statistics |
Barber Shear NumbersBarbers.....................................13,066 |
Texas Barber & Cosmetology News
(512) 463-6599 or 1-800-803-9202
www.license.state.tx.us
COSMETOLOGY PROGRAM
P.O. Box 12088 Austin, Texas 78711
cs.cosmetologists@license.state.tx.us
Cosmetology Advisory Board:
Clive Lamb, Presiding Officer
Kerin Haney, Vice Presiding Officer
Diane Salazar
Glenda Jemison
Allison Leigh Kincy
BARBER PROGRAM
P.O. Box 13489 Austin, Texas 78711
cs.barbers@license.state.tx.us
Barber Advisory Board:
Linda G. Connor, Presiding Officer
Dean Hudson, Jr, Vice Presiding Officer
Ronald Brown,
Joseph B. Grondin,
Vacancy
Commissioners:
Frank Denton, Chair
LuAnn Roberts Morgan, Vice Chair
Mike Arismendez,
Lewis Benavides,
Lilian Norman-Keeney,
Fred N. Moses,
Deborah Yurco,
William Kuntz, Exec. Director
