FRAUD & SCAM ALERT: Protect Yourself

Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) is aware of fraudulent emails and messages circulating that may appear to come from our organization. These messages may target artists and food vendors, particularly during our annual application and selection periods.

Please review the following information to help identify legitimate TOAF communications and protect yourself from potential scams.

General: How to recognize official TOAF communications

1. Official email addresses: All TOAF team members communicate using an official @TOAF.ca email address. We do not communicate with applicants from personal Gmail accounts or addresses ending in @gmail.com, @hotmail.com etc..
2. Payments: TOAF will NEVER ask you to send an e-transfer. Depending on the application stream, legitimate payments are processed through Shopify, Plooto or QuickBooks invoices (see below).
3. Be cautious of unsolicited links: Always visit TOAF.ca directly to access application forms, payment links and official information.

Artists & Applicants

Call for Artists: December 10, 2026 – March 8, 2027

• Artist applications: All applications, including portfolios and artwork images, must be submitted directly through TOAF.ca. We do NOT use Google Forms to collect artist applications or portfolios.
• Jury results: Results will be communicated during the first week of April, and will only be accessible by logging into your TOAF.ca account. You will receive an email from [email protected] letting you know that your results are available in the portal.
• Acceptance and booth payments: Successful applicants will log into their artist portal to complete booth payment securely through Shopify.

Be cautious of anyone claiming to represent TOAF who asks you to submit your portfolio through an external form, send money by e-transfer or pay outside the official Shopify process.

Food Vendors

Food vendor applications and communications follow a separate process:

• Official contact: All food vendor application and selection communications will come directly from our Production Manager, Calder Ross, at [email protected].
• Applications: The 2027 Food Vendor Application Form is linked directly from our official website: toaf.ca/become-a-food-vendor. This is the only authorized application link. Do not submit information through forms sent by unsolicited email or other accounts.
• Selection: Only selected applicants will be contacted.
• Contracts and payments: Selected food vendors will be required to sign a contract with TOAF. An official invoice will then be issued through QuickBooks and can be paid by credit card.

TOAF WILL NEVER ASK FOOD VENDORS TO PAY BY E-TRANSFER.

If you receive an email requesting payment for a food evening opportunity, we encourage you to contact Calder directly at [email protected] to confirm your selection and verify that the invoice is legitimate before making any payment.

Have you received a suspicious email or message?

If something doesn’t look right, trust your instincts. Do not respond, click links, provide personal information or send money.

Please contact us directly to verify whether a communication is legitimate:

General inquiries and artist applications
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 416-408-2754

Food vendor applications
Calder Ross, Production Manager
Email: [email protected]

If you receive a suspected scam email, please report it as phishing and block the sender immediately.

Thank you for helping us keep our artist and vendor community informed and safe. We appreciate your vigilance and cooperation.

anahita & the TOAF Team