Bowls scam warning

SCAMMERS are trying to swindle cash from generous Narre Warren companies by pretending to seek sponsorship on behalf of the Narre Warren Bowls Clubs.
Narre Warren Bowls Club sponsorship committee member Andrew Kidd said they recently received a phone call from a local business person who had been targeted by a scam.
The business person received a message asking them to provide money to sponsor the bowls club in return for the business being advertised on score cards.
Mr Kidd said it was not the first incident he heard of where companies were being called by scammers asking for funds to support the club.
“It happened about two years ago, where fairly big companies were paying about $300 a year into an account without second guessing anything,” Mr Kidd said.
“We want people who receive phone requests from people saying they are members of the bowls club to ring us directly.”
Mr Kidd said if the club wanted sponsorship, it would set up a personal meeting with business owners rather than contact them through phone or email.
“Basically what we would do if we were looking for more customers to sponsor us, we would see them in person, we wouldn’t phone them,” Mr Kidd said.
“All our people (from the sponsorship committee) have accreditation to say we are authorised on behalf of the club.”
This is not the first case of bowls clubs being used by scammers to collect money. In June last year, the Monbulk Bowling Club also warned local businesses about a printing scam which claimed to be raising money for the club. A Queensland company had called Monbulk traders claiming to represent Monbulk Bowling Club and asking for sponsorship to print drink coasters and scorecards.
The club’s chairwoman Jenny Holmes said the scam had happened before, targeting bowls and golf clubs, and seemed to re-appear every couple of years.
Unsuspecting local businesses think they are supporting the local clubs but none of the money – sometimes more than $1000 – reaches them.
Anyone who believes they have been targeted as part of a scam should contact their local police station.