The Occoquan Police Department announced on March 30 that residents, businesses, and potential vendors should be alert to a fraud scheme involving someone pretending to be a RiverFest event coordinator and requesting payments through unofficial personal accounts.
The warning is important because scammers are targeting people interested in participating in the popular RiverFest event. The police said these schemes can lead to financial loss for victims who believe they are making legitimate payments for vendor spaces.
According to the department, red flags include requests for payment via Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, wire transfer, gift cards, or other peer-to-peer payment methods. Messages sent from personal email accounts or instructions directing payment to a name or account not clearly associated with the official event organizer should also raise suspicion. The police added that pressure tactics urging quick payment to “hold” a vendor space before verification is another sign of potential fraud.
To protect themselves, individuals are advised by the police department to verify all vendor and payment instructions directly through official Town channels before sending any money. They also recommend not clicking suspicious links or scanning unknown QR codes and caution against providing personal or financial information unless certain of the request’s legitimacy. People are encouraged to save emails, screenshots, sender addresses, payment handles, phone numbers, and related messages as evidence if needed.
Further details about this warning can be found in the official press release.
