Scammers targeting Iowa food trucks, vendors lose hundreds before fireworks event

DUBUQUE, Iowa (KCRG) — Two food truck vendors paid hundreds of dollars to book spots at the 40th Dubuque Fireworks & Air Show Spectacular on July 3, but when they arrived, event organizers had no record of their bookings and their money was gone.

The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing is warning food vendors statewide after the extortion.

Dubuque Police Lt. Luke Bock said the vendors received emails from scammers posing as organizers for the Independence Day weekend event, asking for money to reserve a vendor spot.

“One of the big red flags is one of the vendors asked if they could pay that fee via check, which who doesn’t want to accept a check?” Bock said. “They were told no. They wouldn’t accept a check.”

Bock said the scammers instead directed payment through the mobile banking app Zelle.

“That should be just a red flag,” Bock said. “If somebody says, no, I’m not taking a check from you, then be wondering, why not? So, and for us, obviously, if it’s a scammer, because that’s more of a paper trail.”

Police are following the money trail, but Bock said there is no guarantee the vendors will recover their losses. He also noted the scam could extend beyond Dubuque, as investigators don’t know where the scammers are located.

The best protection is to verify before paying.

“Trust your instincts,” Bock said. “Make a phone call, like google who they are saying they are. Find what phone number is associated with it and call that phone number or a different email associated with it.”

Anyone who believes they are being targeted by scammers is asked to call the Dubuque Police Department non-emergency phone number: 563-589-4415.