Small businesses are being warned as fake Christmas fair adverts are popping up in Facebook groups. 

These posts are aimed at small businesses as they advertise fictional craft fairs or a similar event and claim to be taking place at local halls. 

The adverts seek stall holders to sign up and pay a small holders pitch fee. 

Suffolk Trading Standards are advising people to look out for certain scam signs including whether the venue has been tagged in the post and if the poster requires you to send a private message and asks for payment over social media.

It is advised to look into any events before booking them and whether the person posting the events is an organiser. 

Potential stall holders are advised to call the venue first and check it is an actual event before sending any money to accounts on Facebook. 

If you do suspect someone is doing this make sure to report to the admin in the group so the posts can be removed.