Vernon warns area business owners in scam hiding behind Northwood athletics

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PITTSBORO — Northwood High School is wanting to spread the word of some fakes solicitors and scam artists that have been using the school’s athletic department in what is a fake money-making scheme.

“The past couple years we have received items from companies in two locations (Texas or Maryland),” said Northwood Co-Athletic Director Cameron Vernon. “We typically receive sports calendar cards, t-shirts, seat cushions or cups. I have called the local businesses and their impression was that the money they sent was going to Northwood High School, but it’s really going to a third party.”

And these scam artists are good at what they do, coming across very genuine and real.

“I had one particular conversation with a local business owner and she told me that the woman on the other line had obviously done her homework because they knew she had two sons who had graduated from Northwood, and that they were involved in the band program,” continued Vernon. “This particular business owner gave over thousands of dollars before she realized what was going on. She was obviously very upset because her intent was to support the student-athletes at Northwood High School.”

Vernon, who has been in contact with local law enforcement agencies, hopes the word will spread about this bogus outfit, and asks local business owners to please contact them if they have any questions are suspect any suspicious activities.

“I would highly recommend that if a local business receives a phone call asking for monetary donations that they should contact Coach Amy or myself at Northwood at any time,” said Vernon. “We do have programs that all monetary donations go to our student-athletes. So if these businesses want to support our students please contact us. I don’t want to see our local businesses continue to be scammed into these programs.”