Beware of Vendor Scams

We’re aware of individuals falsely representing themselves as Hamilton Farmers’ Market and scamming businesses by attempting to rent vendor spaces. These individuals are not affiliated with Hamilton Farmers’ Market.

We’re sharing this notice to help protect businesses, vendors, partners and our community from fraudulent activity.

How to Identify Official Vendor Communication

Official Hamilton Farmers’ Market vendor communications will follow these guidelines:

• Official Market emails will only come from an @hamilton.ca email address.
• We do not rent vendor spaces through social media comments or direct messages.
• We NEVER accept e-transfers.
• All vendors must submit an application through our official website to be considered as a vendor. Submitting an application does not guarantee a vendor space. Vendors will never pay anything in advance to “secure a spot”. Applications are reviewed by official Market Staff as part of our vendor selection process and only those selected will be contact by official Market Staff by phone or via @hamilton.ca email. We will never accept payment for a vendor rental until after a meeting and confirmation with Market Staff.
• A social media message, comment or unsolicited email offering you a vendor space is not an official application or offer from the Hamilton Farmers’ Market.

If you receive an email or direct message from someone claiming to represent the Hamilton Farmers’ Market, or you see a comment under one of our social media posts from an account that is not one of our official accounts and does not follow these guidelines, do not assume the communication is legitimate and do not send them any money.

Protect Yourself From Vendor Scams

Scammers may use the Hamilton Farmers’ Market name, logo, event information or other details to make their messages appear legitimate.

Before providing payment, personal information or business information to anyone claiming to represent the Market:

• Verify the sender’s email address.
• We do not accept e-transfers so do not send money via e-transfer.
• Do not provide personal or financial information through social media messages.
• Do not assume an account is legitimate because it uses the Hamilton Farmers’ Market name or branding.
• Contact our office directly if you are unsure whether a communication is official.

Received a Suspicious Vendor Offer?

If you receive a suspicious comment, direct message or email offering a vendor opportunity, do not respond or send payment.

Instead:

1. Stop communicating with the sender.
2. Do not send money or personal information.
3. Report the account or message through the social media platform or email service.
4. If you receive a fraudulent email, forward the original email as an attachment to farmers.market@hamilton.ca. This allows our office to review the original email, sender information and take the appropriate steps to thwart their attempts
5. Contact the Hamilton Farmers’ Market directly to verify the information.

If You Have Already Sent Money or Information

If you believe you have responded to a fraudulent vendor offer or have already sent money or personal information:

1. Stop communicating with the scammer and do not send any additional money.
2. Contact your bank or financial institution immediately if you sent money or shared banking information. They may be able to help secure your account or take steps to recover funds.
3. Change any passwords that may have been shared or compromised.
4. Keep copies of the messages, emails, payment records and other information related to the scam.
5. Report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and your local police service.
6. Let the Hamilton Farmers’ Market know by contacting farmers.market@hamilton.ca, particularly if the scam involved a fraudulent vendor opportunity or someone impersonating the Market.

If you received a fraudulent email, forward the original email as an attachment to farmers.market@hamilton.ca so our office can review the message and sender information.

Even if you have already sent money or information, act quickly and report it.

When in Doubt, Contact Our Office

If an offer seems suspicious or you are unsure whether you are communicating with the Hamilton Farmers’ Market, stop and verify it with us before sending money or information.

Hamilton Farmers’ Market
905-546-2096
farmers.market@hamilton.ca

Your safety and trust are important to us. We will continue to monitor fraudulent activity and share information when we become aware of scams targeting businesses, vendors, partners and our community.

Remember: Verify the sender. Apply through our official website. Never send an e-transfer.

When in doubt, contact our office!