ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Alpharetta city officials are warning businesses to be aware of an email soliciting them to pay for a bogus award.
Last week, an email showed up in the inbox of Silvia Tennis Academy, telling the tennis facility management company it was up for a big prize.
“Who wouldn’t want to win an award?” said owner Heather Silvia-Killingsworth.
The email was entitled “Alpharetta Business Recognition” promising accolades for a job well done, but at a cost of $150.
“We’ve won some awards in the past, but no awards that we’ve ever had to pay for,” she told Channel 2’s Mike Petchenik. “That was the red flag when we saw the email.”
Silvia-Killingsworth forwarded the email to the city of Alpharetta seeking clarification, and learned the city has nothing to do with the award.
“Some people call them vanity award,” said Alpharetta Assistant City Administrator, James Drinkard. “It doesn’t mean anything. You just go out and buy yourself a plaque.”
Drinkard said the city is warning businesses to avoid falling for the solicitation and have reported the situation to the Better Business Bureau.
“Very similar type of website based solicitations are going on in other communities around the country,” Drinkard said. “In the end it’s going to cost them money and it really doesn’t mean anything.”
WSBTV
