New Orleans - Some local radio stations are warning listeners they could get scammed, if they're not careful especially with the Bayou Classic set for this weekend.Crooks posing as disc jockeys are offering what seem like deals too good to pass up. While Uptown Angela is working the airwaves at Q-93 scam artists are working to rip off loyal listeners.
“Money that has been put out from what I understand has been anywhere from $25 to $250,” said Angela.
Seems someone has been pretending to be disc jockeys with Clear Channel Radio offering access to concerts and other events around town and not for free.
“They're even now, recently I heard calling on people who own record labels who are trying to get air play and they'll say oh I’ll get your song played or I’m going to get you access to artists when they come in town, you can pass your CD on to them for this particular price,” said Angela.
Clear Channel Radio says it's a hoax.
Adrian Long of WYLD says her name has been used in the scam as well.
“They'll call restaurants and ask for food, sometimes just a couple of pieces of chicken, you know saying I’m out and about and I can't get to whatever, can you please send over some food for Adrian long,” said Long. “We are not allowed to call and ask anybody for anything, you know I can lose my job for that.”
With so many visitors coming in town for Bayou Classic this weekend the radio stations are warning listeners to be on guard.
Victims have told the radio stations, money's been exchanged at different sites around the metro area.
“The person would say she was me, she would say okay we're going to send our promotions director you know to meet you, church's chicken on terry parkway was a hotspot at one time,” said Angela.
Another reported hot spot, Louisiana Avenue in Central City and the calls all come from a private or unknown number something the radio stations won't do.
“if you get a call and they're claiming to be me and asking for something just take a second and say you know what I need to call you back, hang up the phone and call the police or take that time and call the request line number or call the radio station,” said Long.
NOPD is investigating and at this point, police say it's not clear how many suspects are involved. The DJ's who've had their identities stolen in this scam just hope they're caught soon.
“It’s a shame you know to scam people out of money, it's a shame to use somebody else's valued reputation you know to do that,” said Angela.
Clear Channel says abide by the old saying if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Remember, radio stations will never ask you to pay for something they're giving away. Meanwhile the DJs say they're afraid for their own safety and want people who've been ripped off, to know they're victims here too.
