UPDATED: CHECK OUT THIS ATTACHMENT!!

THIS IS BEING REPOSTED FROM AN EMAIL SENT BY THE NJLM OFFICES:

I have heard from numerous exhibitors that you are receiving calls from individuals claiming to be from the League, asking for credit card numbers, verifying booth information, reserve housing, etc.
These calls are NOT legitimate, NOT from the League, and they are NOT authorized to contact exhibitors.
We do not share your contact information with any of these individuals or organizations.

As a reminder: If the League needs anything from you – you will receive a direct call or email from Kristin Lawrence or Donna Bijou. Our full contact information is below.

Please be very cautious and get in touch with us if you have any questions.

The information below is posted on our website: Important Exhibitor Alerts

Important Exhibitor Alerts

As an exhibitor, you may receive emails and phone calls from various companies soliciting housing, attendee lists, etc.

These companies are NOT affiliated with the League and are NOT authorized by the League to contact exhibitors.
Do not reply to these requests.

Many of these companies retrieve your public information from the interactive floor plan and may even contact the main company number to obtain your name and direct line or email.
Your personal contact information is never posted online by the League and is only shared with the service providers authorized by the League.
The companies “pirating” these bogus “services” threaten the conference industry as they disrupt the process and cause confusion with exhibitors. They aim to scam exhibitors and attendees and have them purchase fraudulent lists or book rooms that may never be reserved. 

All official League correspondence will be sent directly from the League via an email newsletter, direct email, direct mail, or a phone call. If any correspondence is received from an unsolicited source, please do not respond to any of their inquiries.

‍ Here’s a quick checklist to keep in mind:

• Official League Conference providers are listed in the Exhibitor Service Manual and on the League website. The League has vetted these companies and verified that they offer legitimate products and services.
• If someone calls you from an organization, don’t assume they’re calling from that organization. Call them back on the main number. Caller ID isn’t a reliable way to verify a caller’s identity.
• If someone emails you about something urgent, get their phone number and call them to ask questions. Don’t reply to the email and don’t send money. The ‘sender’ field can be altered and is not a reliable way to verify if an email is legitimate or not.

Please get in touch with the League directly if you have any questions or concerns.
 

File a Fraud Report – Help stop them!

If your company has received fraudulent emails or phone calls soliciting you to purchase attendee lists, book hotel rooms, or other products/services – file a report!
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has created a new process for individuals and companies to report these activities.  The FTC will share these reports with their law enforcement partners to help with investigations and stop these practices

How to file a fraud report:

•   Go to Federal Trade Commission: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
•   Click on “Report Now”
•   For Question 1:  “Is your report about any of these common problems?”
      Select “An Impersonator” (top left answer)
•   For Question 2:  “Who were they pretending to be?”
      Select “Well-known or trusted business”
•   Click “Continue”
•   Add as much information as you have and submit!

Thank you for helping us report these frauds – with enough complaints, we can work to stop these practices from targeting exhibitors!

Additional Resources:

An Investigation Into Fake List Vendors
Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance Applauds Federal Trade Commission for Finalizing Anti-Impresonation Fraud Rule (February 15, 2024)

Thank you,

Kristin Lawrence | Director, Conference Business Development
klawrence@njlm.org
609-695-3481 x125

Donna Bijou | Contract Administrator
dbijou@njlm.org
609-695-3481 x127

New Jersey State League of Municipalities
222 West State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608