Farnham Christmas Market Scam Alert: Traders Warned
Fraudsters Target Farnham's Christmas Market Traders
Local business owners across Surrey—from Woking to Dorking and beyond—are being urged to stay vigilant after scammers began impersonating Farnham Town Council. The con artists have been contacting traders with what appears to be legitimate booking invitations for this year's Farnham Christmas Market, scheduled for 13 December at the town's beloved community hub.
The scheme is straightforward but effective: fraudsters send professional-looking emails that mimic official communications from the council, inviting stall holders to apply for pitches at the festive event. However, Farnham Town Council has made it clear these emails are completely fabricated. The giveaway? Scammers are using generic Gmail addresses rather than the council's official email domain.
This affects everyone from independent artisans and small retailers to service providers like bathroom fitters and bathroom refurbishment specialists who regularly exhibit at seasonal markets. For business owners who depend on these annual trading opportunities to reach customers and generate seasonal income, falling victim to such fraud can be costly—both financially and reputationally. The council is now working to protect legitimate traders and maintain trust in the genuine market application process.
How to Spot the Scam and Protect Your Business
If you've been approached about the Farnham Christmas Market, here's what you absolutely must do: never click links in unsolicited emails, don't reply to suspicious messages, and never send money or personal information to unverified senders.
Farnham Town Council has provided clear guidance: the legitimate application process only uses official council email addresses, not Gmail or other free email services. If you're uncertain whether an email is genuine, contact Farnham Town Council directly using the phone number or address on their official website—don't use contact information provided in the suspicious email.
This scam particularly threatens small business owners across the region, whether based in East Horsley, Horsley, or elsewhere in Surrey, who may be less familiar with the council's official communication protocols. Building contractors, bathroom specialists, local artisans, and independent retailers should alert their staff and business partners about this threat.
The legitimate application form is available through Farnham Town Council's official website. If you've already engaged with scammers, report the incident to Action Fraud immediately by visiting actionfraud.police.uk or calling 0300 123 2040. Document everything—sender addresses, email content, and any financial transactions—to help authorities track down perpetrators.
What Local Traders and Residents Should Do Next
The Farnham Christmas Market remains a genuine, beloved community event that draws visitors from across Surrey and beyond. Legitimate traders and the local business community shouldn't be deterred by this fraud—but they should be aware.
If you're interested in genuinely booking a stall for the December market, use only the official application form on Farnham Town Council's website. Local business associations, chambers of commerce, and networking groups throughout the area—including those in Woking, Dorking, and neighbouring communities—should circulate this warning to their members.
For residents, this serves as a reminder to verify any communication claiming to be from your local council or established organisations. Share this alert with friends, family, and colleagues in the business community. Social media posts, local WhatsApp groups, and community notice boards are excellent channels for spreading awareness.
Farnham Town Council continues organising the Christmas Market in good faith, and traders who apply through legitimate channels will find a genuine opportunity to reach thousands of local shoppers. Authorities are investigating the scam, and anyone with information about the fraudsters is encouraged to report it. The community's vigilance helps protect everyone and maintains trust in local institutions that genuinely serve residents and businesses.
Source: Scammer impersonates Farnham Christmas Market organisers
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