Food truck vendors are alerted to a potential swindle prior to the commencement of football season by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DATCP)
In the lead-up to the much-anticipated football season, food truck vendors are being urged to exercise caution when it comes to unsolicited offers for "fan events." A warning from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection highlights the increased risk of scams during this period, particularly in relation to payment methods like Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal.
Scammers are known to use multiple Gmail accounts to contact their targets, often disguising email addresses to appear trustworthy. These fraudsters are inviting food truck vendors to participate in "fan events" and requesting payment for "vendor fees" through various digital payment apps. It is important to note that trustworthy organizations do not demand payment through peer-to-peer banking apps, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or pre-paid gift cards.
To protect themselves, food trucks and similar businesses are advised to follow several key protective measures. First and foremost, avoid engaging with unsolicited messages or offers about fan events. Priority should be given to secure payment systems over person-to-person apps when possible.
When using digital payments, vendors should verify buyer identity, keep comprehensive transaction records, and report any suspicious transactions immediately. Considering the adoption of cashless payment options with enhanced security, such as RFID wristbands or card payments secured by AVS (Address Verification Service), CVV checks, and 3-D Secure authentication protocols, can also help reduce fraud risk at high-traffic events.
Training vendors and staff to recognize red flags in payment requests and event offers is also crucial. Maintaining skepticism about too-good-to-be-true deals or pressure to use non-traceable payments can help prevent falling victim to scams.
If event details are not publicly available or differ from those in the suspicious message, the message should be considered a scam. Consumer protection resources and complaints can be found online. By staying vigilant and following these protective measures, food truck vendors can enjoy a successful and scam-free football season.
Scammers, posing as organizers of fan events, are using digital payment apps like Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal to deceive food truck vendors during the football season. To minimize the risk of falling for scams, it's essential for food trucks to be cautious with unsolicited offers about fan events and prioritize secure payment systems over person-to-person apps when feasible.
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