Don’t let your dream day turn into a nightmare! As wedding season gets closer, we are here to warn you about five wedding-related scams that target both people planning weddings and businesses providing services:
#1 Fake photographer: Scammers offer what appear to be professional photography services through websites with stolen or stock images. They ask for payment up front and then disappear with your money.
Here’s how to avoid this scam:
- Research businesses BEFORE hiring them—ask friends for recommendations and look for online reviews.
- Ask the photographer for references and call them.
- Ask the photographer to sign a contract before providing a deposit.
- NEVER wire money to someone you’ve never met!
#2 Online wedding dress: Scammers create rip-off websites offering steep discounts on designer dresses. You pay for the dress, never receive the order, and can’t get in touch with the sellers. Then the website disappears from the internet.
Here’s how to avoid this scam:
- Search online forums for reviews of the seller and the website.
- Check the dress designer’s website to see if the seller is listed as an authorized dealer.
- Comparison shop. Check prices with multiple sellers. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Scammers target wedding vendors too!
#3 Fake order of goods/services: Your business is contacted by a “client” who wants you to perform a service or provide goods for their wedding. (This scam typically targets florists, musicians, bakers, and event planners.) You receive a check for more than the agreed upon amount. Your “client” then advises you to deposit the check and send the difference to another vendor by wire transfer. Later, the check bounces and you’re out any money that’s been transferred.
Here’s how to avoid this scam:
- Do not cash the check.
- Never send money to an unknown party and cease all communication with the scammer immediately.
- Be cautious of clients sending you more money than you’ve agreed to. This is a sign of a scam!
#4 Justice of the Peace scam: Your information is published online as a Justice of the Peace (JP). You are contacted by a “couple” who wants you to perform their marriage ceremony. The scam involves a fake check well over the amount for marriage ceremony services and a request to send the excess to another ceremony vendor. In one report recently received by the Attorney General’s Office, a JP was mailed a fake check in the amount of $1800 and instructed to send the majority to a videographer.
Here’s how to avoid this scam:
- Do not cash the check.
- Never send money to an unknown party and to cease all communication with the scammer immediately.
#5 Wedding Expo scam: A scam website claims a big wedding expo is coming to town. There is a registration fee for vendors with promises of a great location and exposure. The “event organizers” require payment in advance and you later find out that the expo doesn’t exist.
Here’s how to avoid this scam:
- Contact the venue the expo is claiming to be held at.
- Check the event organizer’s references.
- Connect with other vendors to see if they have any information.
Vermonter consumers and businesses who have fallen victim to any of these scams should contact the Consumer Assistance Program right away at 800-649-2424.
Now that you know what scams to be aware of, here’s information about obtaining wedding licenses for people getting married in Vermont. Happy planning!