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Scam Alert: Fraudulent Emails Targeting Augusta Festival Vendors

Vendors should remain vigilant against scams during the Augusta Arts Festival.

News Summary

The Greater Augusta Arts Council has issued a warning to festival vendors about a scam where impostors are posing as staff and soliciting payments for the upcoming Arts in the Heart of Augusta festival. Vendors have reported receiving fraudulent communications requesting fees through Cash App. At least one vendor has fallen victim, losing $470. The council stresses that legitimate communications will only come from specific email addresses and via verified channels. Vendors are encouraged to report any suspicious messages to prevent further fraud.

Augusta – The Greater Augusta Arts Council has alerted potential vendors about a scam involving impostors posing as festival staff. Vendors are receiving fraudulent emails and messages requesting payments for participation in the upcoming Arts in the Heart of Augusta festival.

Denise Tucker, the executive director of the Greater Augusta Arts Council, reported that the scam was uncovered when vendors raised questions regarding festival logistics. Some vendors received suspicious messages that appeared to derive from festival representatives, which prompted them to seek verification. The scammers are utilizing fake letterheads and soliciting vendor fees through Cash App usernames, misleading vendors into believing they are making legitimate payments.

Victims of this scam have noted that these impersonators have employed aggressive tactics, following up multiple times to pressure them into sending payments swiftly. This approach has succeeded in deceiving at least one ice cream vendor who lost $470 to these scammers just within the past week alone. Payments made via Cash App are particularly concerning, as they present significant difficulty in dispute and recovery.

The Arts in the Heart of Augusta festival is renowned for attracting more than 100,000 attendees annually, making it a lucrative target for scammers aiming to exploit unsuspecting vendors. In light of these fraudulent activities, the Greater Augusta Arts Council has taken steps to protect its vendors by submitting formal complaints to relevant authorities and reporting the fraudulent Cash App accounts used by the scammers.

The council has emphasized to vendors that legitimate communications for the festival will always originate from email addresses that conclude with “@augustaarts.com.” Furthermore, it is important for vendors to note that they will never be asked to submit payments through Cash App. To safeguard themselves against these scams, festival vendors are encouraged to forward any suspicious communications to denise@augustaarts.com. Additionally, they should verify all information through the official festival website to prevent falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

Background on the festival indicates that it is a highly anticipated annual event that showcases a variety of artists, vendors, and cultural performances. Given its popularity and the large crowds it draws, the event is an attractive proposition for dishonest individuals seeking to exploit vendors eager to participate. Scammers often take advantage of the energy surrounding large events to carry out their schemes, utilizing tactics that can easily confuse well-intentioned businesses.

Overall, the Greater Augusta Arts Council is actively working to create awareness about these scams and protect its vendors. By communicating clear guidelines and encouraging vigilance among participants, the council aims to preserve the integrity of the festival while minimizing the risk of fraud.