Police Warn Community of Sports Poster Advertising Scam

ENGLEWOOD - Northmont City Schools and Englewood Police are warning the community about a scam that involves someone calling local businesses trying to falsely sell advertisements for a sports poster.

The scam involves the caller identifying himself as a person working with Northmont Athletic Director Robin Spiller, according to Jenny Wood, district spokeswoman. The caller tells the business owner that for a fee, he can put a business card on a sports poster that will be distributed around the community. The scam is to get the business owner's money without turning over an advertisement.

Englewood Police Sgt. Mike Lang said one of the things that should make the receiver of the call suspicious is that someone is trying to sell them an advertisement over the phone.

"If you can't substantiate that through actual documentation from the schools, from their boosters or organizations, anybody that calls you up and reports to be X,Y, Z, should be taken with a heavy dose of skepticism," Lang said.

Englewood Police received a call from someone representing a local business who had been solicited, but skepticism kept the business representative from purchasing the advertisement.

Wood said most of the sports posters produced in the district are done by various booster organizations.

"We've had people take advantage of these things to deprive people of money," Lang said.

Lang said if you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to sell ads, check with the school district first before making a purchase. If need be, call police.

If you have received a suspicious call about purchasing a poster ad, Wood recommended calling the athletic department at 937-832-6016 before making a commitment.