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Norwalk Today
By the People, for the People
Scammers Target Vendors for Connecticut Festivals
Fraudulent emails and social media ads dupe potential vendors, costing them money and festival organizers headaches.
Mar. 25, 2026 at 6:43am
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Vendors for some Connecticut festivals, including the Norwalk Oyster Festival, are falling victim to scammers who are sending fake emails and creating social media ads using official logos to solicit booth fees and vendor applications. The scams have resulted in at least one vendor losing $500, though they were able to recoup the money. Festival organizers and the Better Business Bureau warn that the scams are becoming harder to detect due to new technologies, and they advise vendors to thoroughly research festivals before applying.
Why it matters
These scams can deter vendors from applying to festivals, leaving them without business opportunities. They also create headaches for festival organizers who have to deal with unauthorized vendors showing up. The problem is nationwide, with international actors involved, and highlights the need for increased vigilance against sophisticated fraud schemes.
The details
The scams targeting the Norwalk Oyster Festival involve emails and social media ads from someone claiming to be the Norwalk Seaport Association, the festival organizer, soliciting booth fees and vendor applications. Jerry Toni, the executive director of the Norwalk Seaport Association, said red flags include requests to pay via gift cards or other non-traditional methods. One vendor fell for the scam in 2025 and lost $500, though they were able to recoup the money. Kristen Johnson of the Better Business Bureau noted the scams can deter vendors from applying to festivals and create issues for organizers who have to deal with unapproved vendors.
- The scams targeting the Norwalk Oyster Festival began last year with emails to vendors.
- The scam involving a social media ad using official logos continued in 2026.
The players
Norwalk Seaport Association
The organizer of the Norwalk Oyster Festival.
Jerry Toni
The executive director of the Norwalk Seaport Association.
Kristen Johnson
The communications director for the Better Business Bureau Serving Connecticut.
What they’re saying
“Payment method is one of the big issues, because they ask you to buy gift cards, some Apple gift card, or some other process other than what would be traditional methods by which anyone would make a purchase, a credit card or something like that.”
— Jerry Toni, Executive Director, Norwalk Seaport Association
“Now they have to worry about people showing up that aren't actually approved to be there. Then the fact that vendors are spending $500 to be part of an event they are actually not going to be able to participate in.”
— Kristen Johnson, Communications Director, Better Business Bureau Serving Connecticut
What’s next
The Norwalk Seaport Association is working to raise awareness about the scams and advise vendors to verify the legitimacy of any festival before applying and paying fees.
The takeaway
These festival vendor scams highlight the growing sophistication of fraud schemes, which can deter legitimate vendors, cost them money, and create headaches for festival organizers. Increased vigilance and research is crucial for vendors to avoid falling victim to such scams.
