Businesses warned of school calendar scam

The scam epidemic continues to plague the Flathead Valley. The latest appears to be a phone scam targeting area businesses.

Mike Wood, a manager of Five Guys Burgers in Kalispell, said he received a phone call from a woman who claimed to be from Flathead High School. Wood said she was trying to sell advertising for a fall sports calendar.

But when Wood checked with the school, there was no such campaign currently being held.

Wood said he believed the callers don’t know they are part of a criminal act.

“I really believe the people that are calling don’t even know everything that is going on,” Wood said. “They sound so sincere, you think you’re helping the school and the kids and it’s easy to get caught up in it.”

Wood said it’s something that happens every year and sometimes his business even receives bills in the mail.

“They aren’t big scams; this one was just for $189,” Wood said.

Marsha Wilson, the administrative assistant for activities at Flathead High, said there are all kinds of scams going on.

“There doesn’t seem to be much that can be done,” Wilson said. “The local police have been involved and the phone numbers appear to be local, but they aren’t.”

Wilson said the school doesn’t have any current advertising sales for calendars happening now.

“We do calendars for fall, winter and spring, and we also do a discount card where area businesses offer percentages off merchandise or purchases, but no money changes hands for those,” Wilson said.

Wilson advised business owners to be cautious, question and check with area schools if they receive such calls.

“Be aware, start questioning,” Wilson said. “If we do something, you will see the school number. But if not, it’s probably a scam. Call the number to find out who exactly is calling.

“Many times, if you call the number it will probably be a non-working number. There is another one, Sports Media Advertising, that you should just disregard,” Wilson said. “They will even send bills out, but they aren’t legitimate.”

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.