Unfortunately, not all online stores are reputable. Over time, the UK wig market has become challenging for both legitimate wig websites and consumers, with fraudulent wig companies putting up their best fight to fool wig-wearers.
In this blog, we’ll discuss why it’s become trickier to identify scam wig companies online, how you can tell if a site is fraudulent, and some wig sites to avoid at all costs.
Why Has it Become Difficult to Identify Scam Wig Sites?
Similar prices: Many cheaper, poorer-quality wig companies have started to raise their prices to a point where they fall in the same price range as wig sellers like Simply Wigs. Ultimately, this price shift has created some confusion for customers, as suspiciously low price points used to be a key indicator of inferior products. Now, consumers can’t always judge the quality of a wig on its price alone. Furthermore, with prices being so similar, consumers often confuse higher-priced established wig companies for scammers.
Similar visuals: It has become harder to differentiate sites, especially as fraudulent ones have started mimicking the web design and images used on the best legitimate wig websites. Appearance has further blurred the lines between good and bad wig sites and increased consumers’ wariness to shop online.
What Do Scam Wig Companies Do?
Scam wig companies are deceitful groups or individuals who use the front of being a reputable wig company. Some of them look almost indistinguishable from legitimate companies.
They scam customers in a variety of ways:
Keep reading to the end to see a list of scam wig companies reported to us to make sure you don’t buy from a known fraud!
How to Tell Legit Wig Sites from the Fake
So, how do you know if you’re shopping online at a legitimate wig company?
The problem with fraudulent websites is that they can look so convincing when they pose as top-rated wig companies. However, there are tell-tale signs to look out for. These include:
The first thing you should do is search for the company’s name, with the word ‘reviews’ – for example, ‘ewigs reviews’. Some guidance to check that reviews are real includes:
– Don’t look at reviews on the website itself. If you have any doubts about a company, make sure you check the reviews on an independent site like REVIEWS.io and Trustpilot. The company can put anything they like on their own website! For example, Ewigs has over 4,000 reviews on their website and every single one is four or five stars, but if you look at review sites, the majority are only one or two stars.
– Pay attention to negative reviews. While most sites will have some negative reviews, seeing what people are complaining about can give you a better idea of what you’re dealing with. Look for trends among negative reviews – if lots of reviewers found they never received a product, or received a different product than they expected, it’s not an isolated incident.
– Pictures and videos. We love seeing our beautiful customers wearing their creations and we encourage people to take pictures in their wigs to send to us or attach to reviews. Scam companies aren’t usually likely to take the time to find homemade footage or pictures, and many scam sites use poorly rendered images (so they might be blurry or look stretched).
Can you find any contact information about the page? Often, scam wig companies will just have a contact form, and maybe a phone number or email address. Reputable wig sellers should have a full address available (which companies pretending to be based in the UK won’t have), and often, you’ll be able to contact them via social media as well.
A good rule of thumb when shopping online is ‘if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is’ – if you’ve found a wig that retails at £200 being sold for £20, there’s likely there’s something else at play!
We’re not suggesting that you run every website through a grammar checker before you buy, but if the content on the site is stilted, unclear or poorly written, that should wave a red flag.
When you click on a new website, your browser will tell you if the site is secure or not with a little padlock symbol. If the site is not secure, you should avoid spending any money with the company, as your information will not be safe!
If you’re unsure if a company is legitimate, you can always check with Companies House. All limited companies in the UK must be registered with Companies House and it will provide you with the director’s name(s) and the company’s history. If they’re not registered, that means that they don’t have a physical shop or office in the UK.
If you have bought a wig and you are unsure about its quality, be aware of a chemical smell. This smell appears when the natural hair colour has been stripped out of the wig in order for it to be chemically dyed to a different range of colours. The stripping of the colour also strips away the hair quality, leaving you with a substandard wig.
Back in 2014, Emma appeared on Radio 4’s consumer affairs programme, You & Yours, to discuss the trend of disreputable wig companies trading online to UK customers. Listen as Emma shares a customer story and some caring and helpful advice, explaining how non-UK wig companies are cloning trustworthy wig websites and using .co.uk addresses to fool customers into thinking they are reliable websites.
Listen to the interview now » (STARTING POINT 26mins 32secs)
What to Look for in Reliable Wig Companies
So what are the green flags? What can you look for in a company that is worth your custom?
Scam Wig Companies to Avoid
IMPORTANT: These companies have been reported to us as being scams. Please let us know if you have encountered these companies or any others so we can continue supporting other wig-wearers.
Customers have pointed out these companies to be aware of:
- Ciciwigs.com
- Ewigs.co.uk
- Hairlinewigsuk.com
- Hawigs.ca
- Heywigs.com
- Kimwigs.co.uk
- Lightinthebox.com
- Lytinroopwigs.com
- Minewig.com
- Morojowig.com
- Rewigs.co.uk
- Shopwig.co.uk
- Topwigs.co.uk
- Urhair.co.uk
- Wigsbuy.com
- Wigsdo.com
- Wigsell.co.uk
- Wigshoponline.co.uk
- Wigshow.co.uk
You should also be cautious when buying from non-wig-specific marketplaces, like eBay, Shein or Temu – you might find some great deals, but just remember that you’ll get what you pay for! If you’re looking for a reliable, high-quality wig, you’re not likely to find it on these sites.
Final Advice on Avoiding Scam Wig Companies
1. Check the URL
We have also been made aware that there are several companies using the Simply Wigs name in their advertising. Always make sure you’re shopping on our official site to avoid being caught out! Make sure the URL is correct before entering any information.
Check out the listings below; the first is from our official site, but the second is a different site using our name. We’ve highlighted the URLs in red so you know what to look for!
2. Do your research
When you’re browsing cheap ‘UK-based’ wig sites, be cautious and do your research before you buy any new products. Every week, we talk to heartbroken people who these companies have scammed, and we are angry and saddened that they are still allowed to trade.
3. Spread the word!
As many scam wig companies are not based in the UK, we are unable to prosecute them. However, if Trading Standards cannot protect people who may be shopping at a very vulnerable time in their lives, then it’s time we spread the word ourselves!
We ask that you please repost this through your own social channels. Together, we can get the word out that we will not be duped by these dishonourable companies anymore.
Our team knows that buying a wig can be an emotional and highly personal process. The UK has many highly-rated, quality, legitimate wig companies that will endeavour to make the process as easy and painless as possible.
When it comes down to it, if you have any doubts about the legitimacy of a company, you’ll be safer not spending your money with them. If you have any questions about this topic, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. The Simply Wigs team are always here to help.
Ordered from stunninggirl over a month ago, only received a shipment message and that was it. For now I can’t access my orders and their company is said to be unavailable. So disappointed
I bought a wig at Kingwigs and it took almost a month for delivery, when I received it it came in a cardboard box, without a brand without care instructions it looked like doll hair, I made the claim but KINGWIGS is a Chinese company, nowhere in the world website says its location, the wig cost me 110 dollars and if I returned it I had to pay more than 50 dollars for shipping, I tried to recover my money through PayPal but it was not possible, they are scammers
I bought a wig ukiwiwig. Us which I saw on Facebook. It was advertised as glueless full frontal lace wig. It 2 weeks and half to arrive. They sent me a tracking number which was not traceable… The wig is 100% plastic nothing like what I ordered. I launched a claim with PayPal.. I mean this is wrong. I think they also remove our comments from their Facebook page
From what I have learned in this process of trying to order online is unless it is a store you know. Don’t order. If its advertised on Facebook unless you can Google it. Don’t order. If you expect to be protected from scammers. Don’t use PayPal.
Haloqueen is a rip off too. Ordered it, received a fake tracking number and now the tracking number can’t be found and their website is gone.. smh, glad it was only $44 this time. One would think I would’ve learned after receiving a mop for a wig from ericdress.com just weeks earlier.
I ordered three human hair, lace front wigs from wigss.com. I actually received three horrid synthetic costume wigs. I tried to call their 800 number and got a phone sex sight. Their email simply does not go through.
Reading some of these comments ??your first clue to a scam is price. Like my dad says if it’s too much candy for a dime, it’s too good to be true! $35 for any wig? What do you expect? lol ??
FB adds
Esty
I purchased some wigs On Facebook and they had some great reviews, They were not expensive about £30 to £35 I like how their videos showed realistic scalp, When I receive them I was shocked they looked like party Wigs really fake looking one could not even wear them they were really bad. I left a comment On FB saying it was nothing like the video nothing like the picture they look like party Wigs do not buy. My comment was immediately deleted. I threw them all in the bin I spent over £100. And the other one was an Etsy lillyhair. Very expensive only lasted me three months, Silk base literally came off when I was coming my hair. And I found out later all her wigs are from China
A complete waste of money. And she also had good reviews. I think it’s better if the company has a phone number someone you can speak to. But even then it could be a rip-off. And I don’t trust reviews. Personally I think they’ve been paid. Very disappointing to purchase Wigs that look nothing like the advertising picture.
Anyone ever order from queen wigs?
i bought a twist wig from mylovest via facebook(market place), what i receive is totally different to my order. After a month i received a curly uggly home made wig like a mop. i lost about 70$. please be carefull. this is scam.
I ordered 2 wigs from mya wigs on a facebook ad, buy 1 get 1 free and paid £54.
The wigs never arrived. I have tried emailing and they tell me that my wigs are in the royal mail post office in a town 65 miles away and wen i phoned the post office number i was told that they have never heard of the company and didnt have my wigs
The MYA company offer a tracking system which is all in chinese.
I believe i have been scammed so do not buy from MYA wigs advertised on facebook
Best wigs
DO NOT purchase from them. Brought 4 wigs all are cheap, thin, and no lace front. They did not send what I ordered. Just lost $100. Their customer service phone number is disconnected.
I order a wig from Jocosa store.On 08/31/20 there no phone number.On messagener no one responded to my question.There email address doesn’t work.
I ordered wigs from Beaso wig.buyshop in July of this year. The wigs were of very poor quality and were different from what I purchased. I sent the company four emails before they replied. The phone number given on the website was always busy. Once they replied to my email, they asked if I would take a partial refund and I said no. They wanted me to mail the wigs back to china and pay postage( the postage cost more than the wigs). However, I explained to them that the website stated I could return the merchandise for free. I never heard from them again. This company used another company’s website. Totally fraudulent!
Thats so damn true
I am being treated for cancer, my hair is currently 2mm in length. I am only 2+ weeks into my order with URHair, and figured out very early that it’s all bogus. 2 delaying emails from 2 different email addresses and no wig. Is it true that Trading Standards will not get involved as it is not UK based? Even though they are using UK domain names?
I did too order those wigs on Sunday and now im trying to cancel my order buh there’s nothing bout canceling the order. Wish i did my research before ordering those wigs from stunninggirl.shop. PayPal is just not helping too. We’ve been scammed.
Wish does take for ever I ordered items for myself and family back in January I just got the last of my items Aug 20th 2020.
Your screwed. I combined to paypal who endorsed and stands by ALL these fraudulent companies coming out of China. I even went through my debit card company who instead of doing there own investigation they stood by paypal. Lawyer up or take that L is my best advice
I just stupidly order from stunninggirl.shop also?and there’s nothing about canceling the order what do I do I have been scammed
moyuhairs.com this one did same thing! Sent from NJ to look like they’re US based but are actually china based – sending them back would cost more than I paid!
Dont buy from Wigsis.com either. They advertise human hair wigs, send a confirmation based on what you ordered, then send something that is not even remotely close to what your ordered or even human hair. Then they will not accept a return or issue refund. Paypal has not stood behind the customer even after having proof that what was ordered was not what was received. They are no protection for the consumer and neither was Discover card.
When I Put a Bought Two Wigs For Two And One Free From Stunninggirl I Realized How There We’re Fake Reviews And How Everyone Says That It’s A Fraud it Was Just Way Too Good To Be True And It Doesn’t Say Where It’s Made In Just Has a Email To Contact Her Thru And It Was Talking About a Technology Company When I Paid 51$ For It So Dont Buy From Them They Steal Other Peoples Wigs And Fraud .
Has anyone bought a men’s wig from cinfun?
Hi Lesley, I also (actually hubby) bought my ist wig from urhair.co.uk. As they seemed to be a UK company I felt it was safe. How wrong I was, when it did arrive, after a month, hubby had contacted them and it was someone in China, it arrived in a flower box, when he opened the lid I jumped, it looked like a dead ferret. Nothing like the picture of a fairly short shoulder length red flicked Bob with fringe, £86 later, it needs pinned back at sides ad I can’t see out from under the chin length fringe. It’s sulking in the wardrobe, waiting til I can find another £86 to get hairdresser to put it right.
If paypal wont cough up the money go to your bank fill out a form regarding the goods received that arent as described they can then open a case if its fraud they can also open a case for you
Yes Urhair are a rip off!!! I paid for a human hair wig £96 and received a synthetic hair wig which was awful and nothing like the picture advertised. They refused a return and I’m stuck with a hideous wig and have had to go elsewhere for my purchase Not very happy at all.
I am normally extremely cautious and cynical regarding anything involving online purchases with companies that I’ve never dealt with before – I normally spend a lot of time checking all details of company out – but yesterday, have the first time ever, I got duped!! I suppose it may have been because I am very excited about treating myself to a few wigs – the first one I purchased (through a very reputable company) was so gorgeous it makes me feel a million dollars! So I’m now very impatient to purchase some more! Because of my lapse of caution and stupidity, I’ve now lost £65 to a bogus company called UrHair – I realised about an hour after paying for the ‘wig’ by Paypal – I am just extremely relieved that I didn’t try and purchase one of their more expensive ‘wigs’ , as I could have lost hundreds! That’s the last time I don’t do my ‘due diligence’! DO NOT BE FOOLED BY UrHAIR – their great ‘bargains’ are NOT bargains! I haven’t waited to see what happens or receive the wig, because I’ve been on Trustpilot and seen the comments – so I know what to expect!
PayPal will not stand by their customers that are using them for protection. I also had ordered 3 wigs from a company called Evelynwig. The wigs were not the same as shown on the pictures. I tried to dispute it with PayPal and I was told that I cannot receive my money back.
June 12th I ordered 4 wigs from Elvirahair. I just received them today. I have never seen such poor quality of wigs. The wigs were supposed to be lace wigs. Not only were they not lace. but the scalps were plastic. I ordered 1b and one of the wogs was black and grey/white. I had emailed them on several occasions re status of my order, no response. On my bank statememt it listed Paypal, when I used my debit card. I am so upset with this company that these wigs came from China.
I ordered through paypal 2 weeks ago it took 10 days and a complaint to get an email confirmation for my order
The tracking number they gave me do not exist
This is another bogus company run by the chinese
PLZ DONT ORDER FROM THEM. IT IS A SCAM. Do your research sis they almost got me to. Their pictures are from other sites/ scam sites.
I understand your complaint,you’re not alone there is so much issues and complaints about PayPal! I ordered my wigs in October of last year and file a dispute,I received the wrong wigs and I immediately contacted PayPal but they gave me the run around Without a destination! Flo
Same thing happened to me as well..3 wrong wigs..When I sent an e-mail they responded w/ what I had to do in order for this matter to be taken care of..The thing is most of what the information ask for I was unable to supply mostly due to them not putting any of this info. w/ my order..?
I got most of my wish items after 3 months will never order again wait too long for some of the shipping fees. As to my wigs just got them yesterday and they were not the wigs I ordered either two of the same home made wigs hair is shedding. These companies need to be stopped.
I ordered from Wish some house decor which was falsely advertised an ordered in April still have yet to receive all my items those that I have received are completely different from what they advertised descriptions, prices as well as delivery times, dates they are just PURPOSELY UNCONSCIOUSLY MISLEADING. I had also tried a wig company by the name Elvira which I’m realizing now has 3-4 different names, no real contact . I ordered some lace fronts that turned out to be homemade regular wigs I just got from ordering 2 months ago. Now I finally got them an very unhappy with their lies, dishonesty I tried to contact them with the bogus info the have on their website with no success only constant messages saying they not Available an will get back as soon as possible.
I had one from urhair.co.uk, thought I was safe as it said UK. How wrong I was. £86 one month later, a long curly wig was sent in a flower box…. I had ordered a wig with bangs (fringe) and much shorter, with highlights in it. What they sent needs a further £86 to make it wearable. These scammers have no conscience, I had hair loss due to illness, but a lot of ladies through chemo. Think this needs to go to Matt Alright, he would sort them out.!!
I have the same experience as most of the above. I also believed that my purchase was more secure through PayPal. I sort a resolution and got no help, but later I found out that prior to my purchase the same company duped at least five or more Paypal customers. So my question is why hasn’t PayPal done anything to stop them? I intend to look into this further because I’m wondering if the wig shops are the only frauds.
I ordered wigs from a Facebook site back in may never received them. when researching the company Lingshin Tcms found out others were also scammed. wigs were buy 2 get 1 free
Have anybody ever order their wigs from Camora.shop? If so, is it legit?
I known I am going through the same thing the wigs I ordered all the same and long I do not wear long wigs down my back and PayPal take the other side 6 wigs same and I told them I did not order that ,s wig and x wig just sent something to I got my order it came from Audure Al. Not China and for me to spent more money to ship to China I think they know it is a scam are they working with the scammer and they deny me my money 119.68 .,they know address was false too.
I bought a wig from Wigsales.shop on line. The wig I received was nothing at all like what I had ordered, it was a different color, style and a very low quality, the hair is falling off the wig without even handling it. Trying to reach the company is a joke, I was told I did not order from them even though I have an order confirmation from them and I paid them.
I ordered a wig from Lianmy Lianmy advertised on Facebook. When I received it 3 weeks later I thought it was a joke. Totally different from what was on video. $44.08 later, no way to return even though they say “Satisfaction guaranteed.” Paypal was no help.
I bought wigs from these company simultaneously, paid via PayPal. None of the wigs matched the given description. I could not get my money back and PayPal was not supportive.
Ordered a wig from Facebook – so disappointed when it arrived – not real hair – its looks comical! good for fancy dress party i suppose.
Wig arrived from china – wanted a lovely asymmetric brown laced wig seen on the advert – completely scammed put comments on and these were removed straight away – someones making lots of money out if us all !
I ordered 3 wigs from Belle Wigs – bellewig.shop and all 3 wigs are totally and completely different from what I ordered on the website. The order took about 2 1/2 weeks to receive because it came from China. Their website doesn’t mention anything about China. I didn’t realize this until after I received the wrong products. Their website says that their store is in New York but the products were shipped from China, that doesn’t make any sense. I emailed them at the address they have on their website and the email that was in the email that they sent me with the order details. I never received a response. I also called the number that they have on their website but it went to voicemail and the voicemail said that it’s full. I put in a dispute with PayPal so we’ll see what happens from here.
PayPal let’s scammers take your money before you get product.
Ordered 2wigs in Apr.2020, tracked it as far as possible, PayPal let money go before you get pkg. Tried tracking, emails 2+mos I received wigs, one was like dog hair n not my order, other wig was similar to what I ordered but looked like it was worn already (combed out curls) this site totally “BOGUS” n fake. Scammer!! It may come from China but scammer is in U.S. Don’t order anything from any of these sites!
I went through the same thing I order from advertisements from face book. Revived the wig looks like a rugged mop I couldn’t believe they sent this crap paid 70. Through pay pal call PayPal they wouldn’t help me called my bank got my money back and cancel my card. It’s all fake. Walmart is doing business as well with these people buyer beware
I ordered the Buy2get 1 free at 90% off. I should have known better!!! And my sis. Placed an order too. We have lost our money I believe. And the wigs were low quality and not what we ordered. And it took over a month to come.
I’ve tried to order one (1) wig and (1) wig cap, a total of $24.35 without shipping and handling, but I the cart total was $99.97!!! I only wanted two items from I Lady Wig! No customer service number listed, so they’ve lost my business!