Beware of Fake Market and Fair Advertisements – Part 2
Fake market advertisements are still on the rise, and unfortunately, traders continue to be caught out by scammers pretending to organise markets and fairs.
Following our original warning, we’ve come across even more cases of fraudulent events being promoted online. So, here’s an updated guide to help you stay safe and avoid losing money to these scams.
What’s Happening?
Scammers are setting up fake Facebook events, websites, and social media pages claiming to organise markets and fairs. They often ask traders to pay upfront for stalls, only for the event to turn out to be completely fake—or simply never respond again once payment is made. These scams are getting more sophisticated, with some even using images from real events to appear more legitimate.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Check the Facebook Profile – The first thing to do is check the Facebook page of the person sharing the post. Do they have any friends? Are they new to Facebook? Does their profile look like it was just set up? If so, that’s a huge red flag.
Too Good to Be True – Many crafters, especially new ones, expect stall fees to be affordable. However, if a fee seems far lower than similar events or the organiser is promising extremely high footfall without any evidence, be cautious. Always research past events or ask other traders before committing.
Vague or Missing Details – No exact location, organiser details, or contact number? Huge red flag!
New or Suspicious Social Media Pages – Pages with little to no history or engagement could be a scam. Check their previous posts and reviews.
Requests for Payment via Untraceable Methods – Scammers often ask for payments through methods that offer little to no buyer protection. For example, using PayPal’s ‘friends & family’ option means there’s no way to dispute the payment if something goes wrong. Bank transfers and gift cards also lack safeguards and can’t be traced back if the event turns out to be a scam. Legitimate event organisers typically use professional payment platforms or request payments through secure, traceable means.
Pressure Tactics – Scammers often create urgency, saying, “Limited spaces left, book now!” to push you into paying quickly.
No Confirmed Trader List or Real Testimonials – Legitimate markets usually have trader lists, previous photos, or real reviews available.
How to Protect Yourself
Call the Venue First – Before doing anything else, call the venue and ask if the event is actually happening. If it is, that’s a good sign—but it’s only the first step.
Verify the Organiser – Ask the venue for the organiser’s contact details. A legitimate event should have a known organiser who can be verified.
Do Your Research – Google the event, check for past photos, and contact the venue directly to confirm.
Ask for Official Documentation – Legitimate organisers will have a official social media pages, email address, or other formal way to confirm their legitimacy.
Check with Other Traders – If something seems off, ask fellow traders in groups or forums if they’ve heard of the event.
Don’t Rush into Payment – If you’re feeling pressured, take a step back and verify everything before committing.
We continue to keep an eye out for scams and will update you on any new tactics scammers use. If you’ve come across a suspicious market advertisement, let us know, and we’ll do our best to investigate and warn others.
See below what has been brought to our attention:
If you have any more please e-mail us info@iomst.ie we will add them here! Good look keep safe!
Grainne & Greg
Common name on the adverts are CATHERINE HERTLEY and an email hartleycatherine855@gmail.com
27/09/2024
Balbriggan Pumpkin Patch
20/09/2024
19/07/2024
16/07/2024
17/07/2024
Chapel Lane Market
15/07/2024
Slane Castle
04/2024
Spring Craft Fair: 25th & 26th May 2024, Boyne Community school Trim. (no event taking place)
PayPal link they sent says ‘donations’, which means that you are not covered (PayPal says that very clearly)