Potential Map Scam Targets Gilmer Businessess

The Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce is warning businesses to be wary of calls from representatives of Hometown Productions for placement on local maps.

Hometown Productions has been calling members of the business community to solicit advertising for a local map, which it says it is partnering with the Chamber of Commerce to produce. The company, part of Universal AdCom, is falsely claiming a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce. Hometown Productions utilizes high-pressure sales tactics and misrepresents that advertising done with them will benefit local organizations.

Information found online about Hometown Productions indicates that the company operates under a host of different names. It produces low quality maps and does not circulate its product. Further research uncovered a Better Business Bureau rating of “F” due to questionable sales tactics, billing for orders never placed, and government action taken against the business.

The Chamber encourages thorough investigation before entering into a contract to advertise with anyone. The only official map endorsed and distributed by the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce is produced every two years in partnership with a company called Great Southern PUblishing. Chamber businesses are notified via fax and e-mail when a new map is being produced to avoid any confusion about chamber affiliation with the project.

For more information, contact Paige Green at paigeg@gilmerchamber.com or call the chamber office at (706) 635-7400.

This message is brought to you by the Gilmer County Business Alert Program- a partnership of the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce, Gilmer County Sheriff’s Department, City of Ellijay Police Department, and the City of East Ellijay Police Department. The Business Alert program can be reached at gcbusinessalert@gmail.com.

Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 505
Ellijay, Georgia 30540
706-635-7400