The City of Bowling Green is warning local businesses and potential vendors about a fraudulent email solicitation claiming to represent the Bowling Green Parks & Recreation Department.
The City recently became aware of emails inviting businesses to apply and pay for vendor space at an event identified as the “City Park Winter Spark Holiday Market & Festival.” The individual sending the emails is falsely representing himself as being affiliated with Bowling Green Parks & Recreation and is using the name and format of a former City event to make the solicitation appear legitimate.
The City of Bowling Green Parks & Recreation Department is not organizing this event and is not soliciting vendors for it. The individual sending these emails is not an employee or representative of the City or the Parks & Recreation Department.
The fraudulent solicitation includes information about vendor spaces and fees and directs interested businesses to complete an online vendor application. Businesses should not complete the application, submit payment, or provide personal, business, or financial information in response to this solicitation.
The Bowling Green Police Division has been made aware of the situation and is looking into the fraudulent communications.
Businesses and residents who receive a suspicious email or communication claiming to represent the City are encouraged to:
- Do not click links or open attachments in suspicious or unexpected emails.
- Do not make payments or provide personal, business, or financial information.
- Verify the communication by contacting the City department directly using contact information published on the City’s website.
- Report suspicious communications to the Bowling Green Police Division at 419-352-1131.
The City encourages businesses to pay close attention to the email address used by anyone claiming to represent a City department. Legitimate City employees conduct official City business using @bgohio.gov email addresses.
Residents and businesses are urged to remain vigilant and verify unexpected requests before taking action.
