Area School District Victim of Advertising Scam

 

WZFG News has learned that the West Fargo School District, specifically Sheyenne and West Fargo High Schools, are being associated with a scam targeting area businesses.

A company, claiming to be Sports Media Network and/or Sports Media Marketing, is targeting local businesses by soliciting payments over the phone. By paying a few hundred dollars, the scammer claims that the business would be marketed during sporting events, on t-shirts and on building signage. The district says the offer is not a legitimate offer associated with the district or any of its schools, teams, facilities or staff. The scammer may also be illegally replicating the district's trademarked logos in an effort to legitimize their claim.

A local company of a similar name, Magnitude Sports Media Network, has been contacted by the school district, to inform them of a scammer potentially claiming to be them. WZFG News has reached out to the Magnitude Sports Media Network for comment, but, as of 5 p.m. Thursday, no comment has been received.

A similar scam was reported last fall, and West Fargo Public Schools has notified the West Fargo Police Department of the scam and is cooperating with the criminal investigation.

Anyone who has been targeted and contributed money to this scam is encouraged to call West Fargo Police at 701-433-5500.