Questions about a Locks of Love scam often mix up two different issues: whether recipients pay for hairpieces and whether donated hair can be sold. This guide checks the current disclosures on locksoflove.org and explains what prospective donors can verify before sending hair.
What Does Locks of Love Do?
The charity’s official website describes a program that uses donated ponytails to provide hair prostheses to financially disadvantaged children. A donation to that program should not be understood as a promise that your particular ponytail will become a particular child’s hairpiece.
What the Published Policies Actually Say
| Donor question | Current published policy |
|---|---|
| Are recipients charged? | The FAQ says recipients receive their custom hairpieces free, plus a free temporary wig during production. |
| Can donated hair be sold? | The donation instructions say shorter donations and gray hair are accepted for sale to offset manufacturing costs. |
| What length can be used in a hairpiece? | The stated minimum is 10 inches, measured from tip to tip. |
| Can I meet the recipient of my hair? | The FAQ says donors cannot be linked with recipients and cites children’s privacy. |
Sources: Locks of Love’s FAQ and hair-donation instructions, checked October 18, 2026. These describe the organization’s policies; TIAS has not independently traced how donated hair is handled.
Why One Donation Does Not Equal One Hairpiece
Locks of Love says eight to ten ponytails are combined for one hairpiece. A donor should therefore separate the wish to help from the assumption that an individual donation can be followed to a named recipient. If direct use of your hair is important to you, ask about suitability before cutting it.
Check These Details Before Cutting or Mailing Hair
- Check length and treatment. The instructions reject bleached hair but accept color-treated hair. Ask your stylist whether highlights involved bleach.
- Secure it before cutting. Use a ponytail or braid and cut above the elastic. Hair must be clean and completely dry.
- Package it carefully. Put the hair in a plastic bag inside a suitable mailing envelope.
- Use the current form and address. Read the linked official instructions yourself, including postage and acknowledgement requirements.
- Keep your own record. Save the instructions you relied on and your mailing receipt. Keep donor contact details private.
What About Broader Financial Allegations?
A disclosed sale of unsuitable hair and an allegation of financial wrongdoing are different claims. Evaluating the latter requires underlying records and an explanation of what the figures measure, not just a screenshot or a large number repeated online.
Locks of Love’s financials page links a Form 990 and an annual report. TIAS checked that index but has not completed a review of the underlying filings. We are not adopting revenue, expense or “missing donation” estimates here.
A September 30, 2026 Snopes newsletter says its reporter contacted the founder and examined tax filings for a separate fact-check. We reviewed that summary, not the full investigation, and did not repeat its reporting. It should not be mistaken for an audit performed by TIAS.
Locks of Love FAQs
Does Locks of Love charge children for hairpieces?
Its current FAQ says recipients are not charged. That is the charity’s published policy, not a finding from TIAS interviews with recipient families.
Does selling donated hair prove it is a scam?
No. Consider what donors were told, what was agreed and what evidence supports a particular allegation. The published policy discloses some hair sales.
Can gray or short hair still help?
The instructions say it can be accepted for sale toward manufacturing costs. Donors should understand that use before sending it.
Does a delayed acknowledgement mean my hair was lost?
Not by itself. The instructions allow up to 90 days for acknowledgement after receipt and require donor contact information. Follow up through the official website if needed.
Share Your Experience
If you donated, the comments below can help other readers understand the process. Describe the approximate date, instructions you followed and any response received. Include positive and resolved experiences. Do not post children’s names, medical records, donor addresses or unredacted correspondence.
For general ways to verify and report suspicious requests, see our consumer resources.
Sources and Editorial Review
Policies checked October 18, 2026. Next editorial review: November 18, 2026, or sooner if the published instructions or material evidence change.
ThinkItsAScam.com is independent of Locks of Love and Snopes. We did not donate hair for this review, interview recipients, inspect private donation records or conduct a financial audit.
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