Vendor Scam Alert

Protect Yourself from Fraudulent Emails and Payment Requests

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Unfortunately, scammers have been targeting makers and small businesses participating in handmade markets and other events across Ontario, including Artisan Bazaar (ABAZ).

These scams are becoming increasingly convincing. Fraudsters may use our event name, show dates, venue information, logos and even email addresses designed to look like ours to trick makers into sending money or sharing personal information.

Please be aware that fraudulent emails are currently circulating requesting a “Refundable Insurance/Security Deposit” for our Christmas in Ancaster show. These emails are NOT from Artisan Bazaar.

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How to Recognize Official ABAZ Communications

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Please keep the following in mind when receiving emails or payment requests claiming to be from Artisan Bazaar:

• We NEVER request security deposits or refundable insurance deposits.

• We NEVER sell vendor or attendee contact lists or databases. Any email offering these lists for sale is fraudulent.

• We do not authorize third parties to contact makers or collect payments on our behalf.

• All official ABAZ payment requests are accompanied by an invoice from us.

• Our official invoices are sent through Invoice Home and will typically arrive from mail@app.invoicehome.com. They include an invoice number and Carrie Wroot's name.

• Please carefully review the entire invoice before making any payment. Do not assume an invoice is legitimate simply because it looks familiar or includes our business information. Scammers can copy names, email addresses and invoice layouts.

• If anything looks unusual, unexpected or inconsistent with your booking, please contact us directly to verify it before sending payment.

• Payments are made ONLY to carrie@theartisanbazaar.ca.

• Our official event email addresses use the domain @theartisanbazaar.ca. Always check the actual sender's email address, not just the display name.

If you receive a request that doesn't follow these procedures, please contact us directly before taking any action.

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Common Warning Signs of a Scam

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Be cautious of emails or messages that:

• Request unexpected payments, security deposits, refundable fees or additional charges.

• Pressure you to send money immediately to secure or maintain your booth.

• Come from unfamiliar Gmail, Outlook or other email addresses that don't match our official domain.

• Use generic greetings such as “Dear Valued Vendor” rather than addressing you or your business.

• Are signed by vague titles such as “Vendor Coordination Team,” “Event Management” or “Vendor Relations.”

• Claim to represent ABAZ but direct payment to an unfamiliar person, account or email address.

• Offer to sell attendee databases or vendor contact lists.

• Contain suspicious links, attachments or requests for personal or banking information.

IMPORTANT: Just because an email contains the correct show name, date, venue or our logo does NOT mean it's legitimate.

Scammers can easily copy this information from publicly available websites and social media.

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How Are Scammers Getting Maker Email Addresses?

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This is one of the questions we're asked most often.

Unfortunately, business email addresses can be collected from a variety of publicly available sources, including websites, social media profiles, business directories and past event listings.

Scammers may also target makers who follow market organizers on social media or send fraudulent messages broadly, hoping to reach people who have applied to particular events.

You do not have to be a confirmed ABAZ maker, or even have participated in one of our shows, to receive one of these emails.

We have heard from businesses that have never participated in our events but have still received fraudulent messages claiming to represent Artisan Bazaar.

Receiving a scam email does not, by itself, mean your information was obtained from our vendor database.

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What Should You Do If You Receive a Suspicious Email?

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1. Do not send money or share personal or banking information.

2. Do not click suspicious links or open unexpected attachments.

3. Check the sender's full email address carefully.

4. Contact Artisan Bazaar directly using the contact information on our official website, rather than replying to the suspicious message.

5. Report the message as phishing or spam through your email provider.

6. If you've already sent money, contact your bank immediately and explain that you may have been the victim of fraud.

You can also report suspected fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

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Help Us Spread the Word

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We regularly share scam warnings through email and social media, and many other market organizers are doing the same.

Unfortunately, we cannot prevent scammers from impersonating our events or contacting makers directly. However, by staying informed and sharing these warnings, we can help protect our handmade community.

If you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from Artisan Bazaar, please let us know.

When in doubt, check with us first. We would much rather answer a quick question than see anyone lose money to a scam.

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Thank you for helping us keep our maker community informed and safe.

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Jackie & Carrie
Artisan Bazaar