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Small businesses in Ipswich are being warned about fake Christmas craft fair advertisements appearing on Facebook community groups, designed to scam traders out of pitch fees.
The big picture: Fraudsters are creating fictitious Christmas market events and demanding payment for stall spaces that don't exist, targeting local crafters and small business owners through social media.
Why it matters: Small businesses could lose significant sums of money during the crucial pre-Christmas trading period through these scams, which are designed to look like legitimate craft fair advertisements.
Key warning signs:
Venues are not tagged or linked in posts
Organisers request private messages rather than public communication
Payment is requested via PayPal's "friends and family" option
No corresponding event appears on the venue's official page
How to protect yourself:
Contact venues directly to verify events
Check organiser profiles and history
Be wary of payment requests through informal channels
Report suspicious posts to Facebook group administrators
Between the lines: The scam exploits the increasing popularity of Christmas markets and craft fairs, taking advantage of traders looking to secure prime selling opportunities during the festive season.
What they're saying: "Please do your homework before booking into any events and make sure the person advertising such events is a genuine organiser," warns Suffolk Trading Standards.
The bottom line: Small businesses are urged to remain vigilant and verify all event details directly with venues before making any payments for Christmas market stalls.
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