Door-to-Door Scam Fakes Affiliation With HS

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — A company that has attempted to capitalize on high school sports supporters across the country has made its way into Vestavia Hills. The high school and the city's Chamber of Commerce were made aware Tuesday morning of a company called Touchdown Sports that had been visiting local businesses and claiming to sell advertisements for VHHS sports programs.

Touchdown Sports, a company based in Fort Worth, is not accredited with the Better Business Bureau and has been accused of similar activities in other cities, according to the Star-Telegram. The Star-Telegram also reported in May that Touchdown Sports had changed its name to Boost Sports and continued to operate under the new moniker.

The city issued an announcement through its social media accounts confirming that Touchdown Sports has no affiliation with the high school or its athletic program, and that the only companies contributing sales through advertisements are Mascot Media and Varsity News Network. The Chamber of Commerce has also notified its members about the scam and urged them only to purchase advertisements through the verified vendors, said

"We hate that this has happened and made our businesses leary," said Karen Odle, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce. "All we want is to be able to help and support our student athletes."

The city clarified through its Facebook page that the company's activity is "unethical, but unfortunately, not illegal," and that business owners shouldn't worry about calling the police department unless the company's representatives become "belligerent and/or refuse to exit [their] business."

(Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)