LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A nationwide scam capitalizing on the popularity of charity running events appears to have hit Louisville.
Several people told WDRB they signed up for the October Beer Run, but found nothing when they arrived at Waterfront Park on Saturday. According to its website, the race advertised ‘free beer' and ‘a warm-fuzzy feeling that event proceeds will be donated to charity' -- though no specific charity is listed.
“Better Business Bureau's across the country are getting complaints,” said BBB of Louisville Vice President of Communications Reanna Smith-Hamblin.
Smith-Hamblin says no one has complained yet about the race Saturday. However, she says she noticed red flags immediately when she looked at the website.
“First of all there was no name of a company there,” Hamblin said. “There were no local sponsors of the run.”
The registration tab takes users to
Active.com, a site that lists events in cities all over the country. Smith-Hamblin says people should be wary of third-party sites.
“Check out
Active.comwith the Better Business Bureau,” Smith-Hamblin said. “If you had, you'd have found out they have an F-rating with us.”
The company has more than 340 complaints filed against it. Smith-Hamblin says if you paid for the race through
Active.com, you should file a complaint against it.
However, some who signed up for the race and reached out to
Active.comsay the company told them they legally cannot refund participants without receiving a request from the event. But the number listed on the race's site is a non-working number.
To avoid becoming a victim, the BBB recommends:
- Understand the terms and conditions
- Check the local venue
- Pay with a credit card
- Keep documentation of your order
- Check out the charity
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