The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning local businesses about the Clarksville Award Program scam.
The scammers send emails in an attempt to persuade companies to pay for vanity awards and plaques. The email says the businesses have been selected for the 2014 Clarksville Awards and provides a link to the website for more information.
The site says the Clarksville Award Program is an annual program and each year works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups and professional associations. BBB investigation shows the website is only 17 days old.
BBB says this scam sounds similar to the awards given at the annual March of Dimes Fundraiser, Best of Clarksville. One local business thought the Clarksville Award Program email was associated with the March of Dimes event and sent money for the award. Members of the Best of Clarksville committee state awards for their October event are given out to winners the night of the event and businesses do not have to pay for the plaques.
Businesses are urged not to send money to the Clarksville Awards program and to always check the credibility of such claims. See the BBB’s Accredited Business Directory here.