Local businesses and individuals are being warned by police to be cautious when dealing with people who call claiming to represent the Elizabethton Twins and attempting to sell advertising for the sports team’s schedule calendar.
On Friday, the Elizabethton Police Department issued a warning regarding the scam.
“We have received information of a business being contacted by a subject claiming to represent the Elizabethton Twins Baseball organization. The subject was soliciting the business for a paid advertisement and sponsorship for the Elizabethton Twins schedule or calendar,” EPD Capt. Joy Shoun said. “Our agency has confirmed that this is not authorized by the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department or the Elizabethton Twins, and is an attempt to obtain money fraudulently from these businesses.”
“The information we have at this time indicates that the calls are being received from a source outside of the area,” she added. “We ask that the public please be mindful of this to avoid being a victim of fraud.”
While the Elizabethton Twins organization does solicit local businesses for advertising and sponsorships, Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Director Mike Mains said no outside agency will contact anyone regarding purchasing advertising or a sponsorship.
“We do all of our advertising in house,” said Mains, who also serves as general manager for the Elizabethton Twins. “Myself and Kelly Kitchens do all of our sales.”
The Elizabethton Twins have never used an outside agency to sell their advertising, Mains said, adding that sales are not going on at this time.
“Our schedule just came out. We begin our sales after January 1,” Mains said. “Kelly and I will call local businesses and meet with people one-on-one.”
Mains said he too was contacted by a local business regarding the suspicious phone call.
“We were contacted by a local business that we have worked with for years that was a little concerned when they received an advertising sales call from Corinth, Kentucky on our behalf,” Mains said. “This individual who stated they were representing the Elizabethton Twins was reaching out to our sponsor in hopes of selling him a schedule advertisement.”
“After speaking with authorities in Kentucky and of course our own Police Department we have a strong feeling that this is a scam,” he added.
The Elizabethton Twins rely on the partnerships with local businesses and individuals and Mains said he hopes this scam will not affect the team’s ability to work with sponsors.
“We have a great relationship with many of the businesses in the community and their support has kept this program going through the years,” Mains said. “This is vital for us. This is what helps us continue this family recreation opportunity.”
If anyone receives a call from someone claiming to represent the Elizabethton Twins, Mains said they should feel free to call either himself or Kelly Kitchens at the Parks and Recreation Department and speak with them directly as they are the ones who handle advertising sales and sponsorships. The number for the Parks and Recreation Department is 423-547-6441.
If anyone has been contacted by an outside agency regarding advertising for the Elizabethton Twins and feels they have been the victim of this scam, they can contact the Elizabethton Police Department at 423-542-4141.