Utah businesses targeted with fake high school sports sponsorships

KUTV — Suspicious practices from Sports Media Marketing, a Texas-based company, has been reported to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Northern Nevada and Utah.

The reports allege the company is taking money from businesses under the guise of selling sponsorship deals on behalf of local Utah high school sports teams.

Detective Von Dookhran of the Lone Peak Police Department contacted BBB to get more information on Sports Media Marketing after receiving a complaint from a business owner who spent thousands for a sponsorship with American Fork High School that didn’t exist, a press release stated.

The business owner told the BBB:

They call from a Texas number, really kind, very friendly, and say ‘we work with the high school getting their sponsorships, and wanted to reach out to you to see if you want to sponsor the football team.

The business owner ordered hundreds of t-shirts and a banner, then was left confused when nothing was displayed or sold at the game. American Fork High School had no idea about this business’s supposed sponsorship, or who Sports Media Marketing was, the BBB said in the release.

BBB has received 41 complaints against Sports Media Marketing allege the same: the company never had any permission from schools to solicit sponsorship deals. A total loss of nearly $20,000 is alleged.

The complaints and reviews are left unanswered because the BBB’s repeated attempts to contact Sports Media Marketing have been unsuccessful.

BBB is encouraging businesses to consider these tips when deciding to purchase advertising:

• Verify the legitimacy of the fundraiser. Contact the beneficiary of the fundraiser to ensure the advertising company is authorized to solicit on their behalf.
• Ask additional questions. When will the advertising be placed? When will it be available for the public to see? Will a copy of the advertisement be sent?
• Get everything in writing. Request all advertising propositions, charitable appeals, requests for business information and sales pitches of any type be made in writing.
• Avoid committing on the spot. Write down the name, phone number, and address of the business or organization offering the ad space. Research the company on org. Avoid falling for high-pressure sales tactics or offers that are only good for a limited time in an attempt to get you to commit on the spot.

BBB recommends businesses, brands, and charities they can trust. For more information, click here.