The Sweet Escape Cake Company in Indianapolis is warning other small businesses of new scam tactics after they were duped by a fraudster pretending to be connected to the Indiana Pacers.
Styles McCorkle, a Sweet Escape employee, told local news station Fox 59 that the business was contacted by email, with the scammer pretending to be Dean Heaviland, the vice president of operations for Pacers Sports and Entertainment. As their company had done work for the Pacers before, and other teams such as the Fever and Indianapolis Colts, the email didn’t seem suspicious.
The scammer offered the company a vendor booth at Game 4, and Sweet Escape’s owner reports that between labor and supplies, they spent $4,000 on preparing, only to find they got duped.
Here’s how Sweet Escape was duped, and how you can avoid similar scams.
NBA finals fever sweeps the city
The Indianapolis Pacers experienced an unprecedented surge in ticket demand following their remarkable showing in the NBA finals. On June 19, the team delivered a memorable performance in Game 6, which led to the first Game 7 finals matchup in nearly ten years. Despite their valiant effort, the Pacers ultimately fell short against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a closely contested championship decider.
The opportunity to have a booth at a major game was too good to pass up, according to Sweet Escape employees. What’s more, the scammer offered the booth for only $400.
“So, we were super excited for an opportunity like this,” McCorkle said. “So next day, we take that opportunity and decide we are going to go through with it, paid our invoice for the spot and everything, nothing was too inconvenient.”
Upon replying to the email to inquire about their booth location, they received a bounce-back notification. They soon realized they had fallen victim to a scam perpetrated by someone impersonating Dean Heaviland. The business had already prepared numerous Pacers-themed treats, adding significant strain to their already busy schedule of Father’s Day orders.
“I came into work the next day, I was devastated,” McCorkle said. “Like we were really excited to have this opportunity to put our face out there and be in front of Gainbridge Fieldhouse.”
A sweet ending
The disappointment at Sweet Escape didn’t last long. Upon learning about the situation, Pacers executives stepped in and purchased all the Game 4 products that had been prepared. This generous move ensured the small, family-owned bakery wouldn’t suffer any financial losses.
“It gives me goosebumps because when my dad told me the next day, ‘Hey, by the way, I just got off the phone, Megan said they are going to buy everything,’ it was like a weight lifted off the chest and none of it was in vain,” McCorkle said. “We even got refunded for our initial deposit so, it was only gain.”
“For an organization as big as the Pacers to care about a small business like us, and have that attention, like ‘Hey we understand the situation, we like you guys already, so we are going to take this off of your hands, like whoever did the scam, thank you for that,” McCorkle said. “Like, it worked out for us in the end.”
How to spot scams
Today’s fraudsters employ increasingly advanced techniques. In this incident, the scammer exploited Sweet Escape’s existing relationship with the Pacers to appear legitimate. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), criminals frequently impersonate trusted contacts, making it essential to verify email addresses against previous communications from your clients or business partners. To confirm someone’s identity, consider requesting a phone conversation or in-person meeting to ensure you’re communicating with an authentic representative.
The FTC also advises small business owners that scammers will often ask for payment through unusual means, such as wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Asking for payment in this way is a red flag, especially from an established company.
Scammers create a false sense of urgency to force quick decisions. In the Sweet Escape incident, the fraudster leveraged the upcoming Game 4 as pressure, possibly claiming the vendor booth would be reassigned if the team didn’t act immediately. This pressure tactic prevents victims from carefully considering the situation. In contrast, legitimate business relationships typically provide reasonable timeframes for decision-making without applying excessive pressure.
To protect your small business from scams, it’s essential to stay informed about the latest fraud prevention guidance from government agencies and ensure all staff members receive comprehensive training on recognizing scam attempts. Many businesses that fall victim to fraudsters don’t recover as successfully as Sweet Escape did.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
