Hockey Alberta has issued a caution to families regarding a recent scam affecting minor hockey associations in the region. The scam involves fraudulent requests for money under the guise of legitimate channels for fake tournaments.
The provincial hockey governing body highlighted on social media the prevalence of suspicious tournament emails that closely resemble official communication and registration forms. This deceptive practice has raised concerns among hockey officials and parents, with Angie Thiessen, a tournament coordinator at the McKnight Hockey Association in Calgary, expressing dismay over the exploitation of young players who work hard to participate in tournaments.
Thiessen noted that the fall season is particularly busy for newly established minor hockey teams as they strive to secure coveted spots in tournaments. The high demand for tournaments was evident as Thiessen received applications from 120 teams for their U18 tournaments.
The scam came to light when Thiessen received an email from another hockey association member questioning the authenticity of an acceptance email for McKnight’s tournament that requested a fee. After confirming it was a fake email, Thiessen discovered similar incidents in other associations across the province, including the Knights Hockey Club, Trails West Hockey Association, and Devon Minor Hockey.
Hockey Alberta’s director of membership, Drew Dixon, explained how the scam operates. Scammers obtain tournament information, such as dates and locations, from sanctioned events and use it to lure teams with fake invitations and requests for money. Tournament fees typically amount to around $2,000, varying based on the association.
Despite efforts to safeguard tournament information, Dixon emphasized the importance of raising awareness about potential warning signs for registrants. He advised teams to be cautious of unsolicited invitations and to verify contacts before making any payments. The focus is on educating stakeholders to recognize red flags and prevent falling victim to such fraudulent schemes.
