Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest says their vendors are being targeted by scammers. Organizers issued a warning on Wednesday after learning some small businesses had already lost hundreds of dollars after responding to fake emails and messages. The phishing scheme is similar to one recently reported by organizers of the Wellesley Apple Butter & Cheese Festival, Cambridge Holiday Market and Christkindl Market in Kitchener. Vendors said they received messages, either by email or through social media, from a person claiming to represent the event or members of organizing team. “These communications may attempt to approve vendor applications, request payment and credit card information or other personal or business information,” explained Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest. The sender, in this instance, pretended to be executive director Tracy Van Kalsbeek, and the email requested payment to reserve a spot in the vendor’s village at Willkommen Platz. Organizers said they are no longer accepting applications for this year’s event and any messages claiming otherwise, especially ones that request payment, are a scam. “Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is not affiliated with these communications or accounts,” the alert read. “Anyone who receives a suspicious email, Facebook message or other communication claiming to be from KWO is encouraged not to send payment or provide credit card, personal or business information. Recipients should also avoid clicking suspicious links, opening unexpected attachments or responding to the sender.” Organizers noted that they never request credit card numbers by email. “All official invoices and payment-related communications will come directly from an official @oktoberfest.ca email address,” they said. “If there is any uncertainty about whether a communication is legitimate, vendors and partners are encouraged to contact KWO directly at info@oktoberfest.ca before taking any action.” More to come.
