Summer Scams in the Wild: How Fraudsters Target You at Festivals, Markets & More
By Julie Matthews
Summer festivals and outdoor events are a great way to enjoy your community and have some fun in the sun. Unfortunately, they can also provide the perfect environment for scammers.
Fraudsters know people are often less cautious at public gatherings. Many victims do not even realize they have been targeted until long after the event ends.
Vendors and Vanishing Sellers
Fake vendors set up booths selling counterfeit products that look genuine. Others collect payments for items that never arrive.
A shopper may pay for handmade goods or specialty items with a promise that the product will be shipped later. Once the event ends, the seller disappears along with the money.
Temporary events can make it difficult to track down fraudulent vendors afterward. Many people assume organizers carefully screen every booth, but often that is not the case.
Before buying items, take a moment to research. Legitimate sellers usually have clear contact information available through business cards, social media pages, or a professional website. Be cautious if a seller refuses to provide receipts.
Use a credit card if you can, as it offers better fraud protection than a debit card if something goes wrong.
QR Code Scams
QR codes have become part of almost every public event. They appear on posters, food truck menus, parking signs, and donation boards. QR codes are not inherently bad; they are simply a shortcut to a website.
Most people scan them without thinking twice. However, scammers take advantage of that habit by placing fake QR code stickers over legitimate ones. Instead of directing users to a real website, the code may lead to a fraudulent site designed to steal passwords, banking details, or credit card information.
In busy settings, people rarely stop to examine the website that appears after scanning.
There have been numerous reported cases in Alberta of fake QR code stickers being used in parking lots or on parking machines and meters. A family I spoke to had this happen to them in an Edmonton hospital parking lot. The parking sign with the QR code looked very convincing! They quickly discovered it was fake when their bank alerted them of numerous charges trying to go through their credit card simultaneously.
Protect yourself by checking the web address carefully before entering any personal information. Scams are becoming more sophisticated. I don’t recommend scanning any QR codes in public places unless you trust the person or company who made it, and it’s in a location that can’t be tampered with.
Tap Fraud at Pop-Up Booths
Portable payment terminals are now common at outdoor events. Some criminals have found ways to exploit tap payments.
Some scammers use altered card readers that capture payment information. Others rely on distraction. In busy environments, customers may tap their card without noticing the amount displayed on the screen.
Always check the total before tapping. If a vendor blocks the screen or rushes the transaction, that is a red flag.
Don’t hand your debit or credit card to anyone else to tap, insert or swipe.
Monitor your bank account after attending events. Small, unauthorized charges are sometimes used to test whether a stolen card is still active before larger purchases are attempted.
Ticket Scams Surge in Summer
Fake concert and event tickets are commonly sold outside venues and through social media marketplaces.
Some scammers sell screenshots of digital tickets that have already been used multiple times. Others create fake profiles claiming they can no longer attend an event and pressure buyers to send payment quickly. In many cases, as soon as you send the money, the seller will block you. There are no tickets.
The safest option is to purchase through official ticket sellers or verified resale platforms. If buying from an individual, know that this is risky. Avoid e-transfers to strangers whenever possible.
Too good to be true prices are also a red flag.
A Little Awareness Goes a Long Way
Most summer events are filled with hardworking vendors, talented performers, and genuine community organizations. You can enjoy yourself and yet still be aware of the presence of scams in every space.
Enjoy the summer, have fun, and stay alert.
Julie Matthews
Julie Matthews provides dynamic fraud prevention presentations across Western Canada to seniors, businesses and communities. Before starting her own business, Julie was an Investigative TV reporter for 19 years and an investigator with the Government of Alberta’s Consumer Investigations Unit. She is a certified fraud examiner and has the popular weekly segment “Scam Alert” on 840 CFCW radio. For more information or to book Julie, visit her website at juliematthews.ca