Phone Scam Alert issued by Equestrian Show Venues

Organizers at the Desert International Horse Park in Thermal, California, have issued a warning regarding a phone scam where exhibitors are receiving phone calls asking for credit card information for feed/bedding orders. These phone calls are coming from unknown individuals who are posing as show representatives; they note that one phone number people have received calls from is (803) 398-3968.

In a statement, DIHP officials advised, “Please be aware our Official Show Office will not be calling for any credit card information for feed/bedding orders. If you have any concerns or want to ensure the validity of your credit card requests, feel free to contact our show office at showoffice@deserthorsepark.com OR (442) 200-4919 // (442) 200-4927.”

This particular scam has been circulating the equestrian world. An official communication from USEF (US Equestrian) reads, “Please be aware that US Equestrian has continued to receive reports of a phone scam where unknown individuals are contacting exhibitors and members, posing as show representatives or feed/bedding suppliers, and requesting credit card information over the phone for feed/bedding orders, which has led to fraudulent charges.

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“In an effort to protect our members and spread awareness about this scam and others of the like, as these types of phone scams are more common and harder to detect than one may think, we are sharing a few credit card security dos and don’ts.

Credit Card Security Dos and Don’ts:

• Do use a credit card – credit cards have better fraud protection than debit cards.

• Do monitor your account regularly and check for new charges often.

• Do report suspected fraud right away. Your credit card issuer can block your card and account number so no one else can use them, then give you a new card and account number.

• Don’t give your card information over the phone unless you initiated the call and you’re talking to a bank or merchant you trust.

• Don’t answer an email that asks for your account number or personal information, even if it looks like it’s from your bank or a reputable company or organization.

• Don’t share your card number where others can hear.”

You can read the entire alert here.