Scammers have been trying to defraud supporters of Port Elgin’s Pumpkinfest.
Organizers of Pumpkinfest say they’ve become aware of unknown fraudsters contacting vendors and sponsors of the event, and falsely representing themselves as part of the Pumpkinfest organization.
“Several of our supporters have received emails requesting money in order to participate in this year’s event. These emails are fraudulent and are not being sent by Pumpkinfest organizers,” a notice from Pumpkinfest says. “Please do not send any money or provide banking or personal information in response to these requests.”
Pumpkinfest Coordinator Joanne Robbins says the scammers are using Gmail accounts and email addresses with the word Pumpkinfest in them, but they are not associated with the event.
“This is happening to a lot of festivals,” Robbins says. “It isn’t us. They’re contacting our vendors and our sponsors and saying if they want to be involved in Pumpkinfest they have to give some money.”
“Don’t send any money to anybody.”
Pumpkinfest organizers are asking the event’s vendors and sponsors to be in touch with them directly concerning any financial requests.