February 17th, 2026

Avoiding Craft Show and Expo Scammers

If you participate in craft shows and expos, you likely already know that scammers actively target vendors and event organizers. Why? Usually because of the nature of the events, meaning people get excited, so they sign up and pay quickly. Here’s how to spot some red flags...

“I’m the Vendor Coordinator” (But They’re Not)
One of the most common scams:

• Someone claims to be the “vendor coordinator”
• They say booths are “almost sold out”
• They avoid referencing official websites

What to check:

• Is the message coming from a Gmail/Yahoo account instead of the event’s official domain?
• Is the event website actually listing that person?
• Are you being directed away from the official website?

Always go directly to the event’s official website or social media and verify contact information. In the case of our upcoming “Southern Charm & Sweet Tea Boutique Vendor & Craft Fair,” you’ll find the official Facebook event page here.

2. “Urgent” Pressure Tactics
Scammers create artificial urgency:

• “You must pay within 2 hours.”
• “We only have one booth left.”
• “If you don’t respond immediately, you’ll lose your spot.”

Legitimate events:

• Have clear application processes (for Southern Charm & Sweet Tea, the application is here)
• Provide contracts, vendor agreements, or confirmation emails
• Allow reasonable response time

A good rule to follow is that if you feel PRESSURED, you should PAUSE.

3. Payment Methods That Can’t Be Reversed
Be cautious if they ask for:

• Gift cards
• Wire transfers
• Zelle or Venmo to a personal name
• Cash App to a random username
• Cryptocurrency

Professional events typically use:

• Secure payment portals
• Invoicing systems
• Business accounts

If billing feels informal or sloppy, that’s a red flag.

4. You Didn’t Apply But You “Got Approved”
This one is common.
You get a message saying:

• “You’ve been selected!”
• “We love your work!”
• “We’re inviting you to be a featured vendor.”

But:

• You never applied
• The event doesn’t match your product
• The message is generic

If they truly selected you, they should:

• Reference your actual business
• Know what you sell
• Have a traceable history

5. Fake Versions of Real Events
Scammers clone legitimate events. Unfortunately, we’ve seen this happen before. For example, they may impersonate well-known expos like:

• The Great American Craft Show
• Sugarloaf Craft Festivals
• Renegade Craft Fair

They:

• Copy logos
• Use similar names
• Create fake Facebook pages
• Post in vendor groups

How to verify:

• Check how long the page has existed
• Look for a legitimate website (not just social media)
• Call the phone number listed on the official site

6. Bad Grammar and Vague Details
Many scam messages:

• Are poorly written
• Have inconsistent capitalization
• Don’t list dates, location, or booth size

Legitimate events:

• Provide dates, venue name, setup times, insurance requirements, cancellation policies, etc.

 7. They Refuse to Video Call or Provide Paperwork
If you’re unsure:

• Ask for a vendor agreement
• Ask for proof of venue booking
• Ask for a phone call

Scammers will:

• Dodge questions
• Say they’re “out of the country”
• Push harder for payment instead of answering

Quick Checklist Before Paying
Ask yourself:

• Did I find this opportunity on the official website?
• Is the email from a real domain?
• Is there an agreement or contract?
• Can I verify the event location independently?
• Does the payment method look professional?

If two or more answers make you uncomfortable, don’t send money!