Salmon Arm Fair organizers are closely monitoring its social media presence after repeated posts by would-be scammers.
The Salmon Arm Fair and Shuswap Lake Agricultural Association recently shared a warning on its Facebook page about the scam posts from individuals urging interested fair vendors to contact them directly. Fair organizers warned people not to respond, and that interested vendors should reach out through the website, salmonarmfair.ca, under "Get Involved" and "Marketplace and Concession."
"There must have been about 20-30 different individuals… it's rampant," said Salmon Arm Fair manager Jim McEwan, stressing he monitors what gets shared on the fair's social media and deletes the scam posts as soon as he sees them.
"It's either tickets, where you can buy the tickets from them, or it's book your vendor spot at the fair," said McEwan. "We're the only group that has spots available, please PM me."
McEwan said he wasn't aware of anyone having been burned by the scammers and wanted to get the word out so people are aware of them.
Similar scam posts have been used with other events, including craft fairs. In a March 2023 news alert, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warned it had received reports of scammers posing as craft fair planners who trick vendors out of money and personal information. When you contact the "event organizer" using a fake identity provide basic details about the event and ask if you are interested in participating. If you are, explained to the BBB, they may ask you to fill out an application and pay the vendor fee.
In response, Facebook groups such as Vendor Event Scammers were created, providing a place where event planners and vendors can share information and screenshots of the scams.
The 125th Salmon Arm Fair is a little over a month away. The event runs August 23-25, with exhibitors, livestock, live music, midway rides and games, an inflatable obstacle course and much more. There's also the annual fair parade through the downtown, which will be starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24.
For more information about the Salmon Arm Fair, visit salmonarmfair.ca.
