As if the California licensing scam wasn’t bad enough, there are now reports of a similar scam taking place in Texas.

Here’s the notice I received from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR):

TDLR is warning all cosmetology licensees that mailed notices that appear to be from the National Cosmetology Association or Professional Certification Service regarding the expiration of a “professional certification” are a scheme to take your money. Upon careful examination of the notice you will see that it refers to a “certification renewal” and NOT your license renewal. That notice has nothing to do with your Texas Cosmetology license and you should not respond to it.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and the National Cosmetology Association are not connected to that notice and are not a party to it. If you have further questions concerning this rip-off please contact TDLR at (800) 803-9202 or by e-mail at CS.Cosmetologists@license.state.tx.us.

If you fell victim to the Professional Certification Service rip-off TDLR has some tips for you.

If you mailed PCS a check the Department encourages you to call your bank immediately and place a stop payment on the check.

If you mailed PCS a money order you should fill out the tracer request that was attached to it and submit the tracer to the money order provider. If it hasn’t been cashed you can request a new money order that you can make payable to yourself to reclaim your money.

Although both the bank and money order company will charge a fee for the services it should be less than the amount PCS is stealing from you.

The safe and easy way to renew your license is online at http://www.license.state.tx.us/cosmet/cosmetforms.htm#online.

To view the TDLR forms you receive to renew your license go to:

Postcard: http://www.license.state.tx.us/images/correctRenewalPostcard.jpg

Notice: http://www.license.state.tx.us/images/correctRenewalNotice.jpg

Working together the Department and you, our licensee, can send this cheater a clear message: DON’T MESS WITH TEXANS!

Is anyone aware of similar scams happening in other states?

—Sree