VISD says man attempting to sell tutoring material a scam
Man is not part of VISD, spokesperson says
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WHAT IS THE EDULINK SYSTEM?
EduLink is a phone system used by several school districts that sends parents phone call notifications about an emergency situation.
The system will only notify parents who have left the latest and best contact information with the school ...
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WHAT IS THE EDULINK SYSTEM?
EduLink is a phone system used by several school districts that sends parents phone call notifications about an emergency situation.
The system will only notify parents who have left the latest and best contact information with the school district.
Parents wanting to update their contact information with EduLink can do so through VISD in August, once the 2011-12 school year begins.
A man posing as someone contracted through the Victoria school district to sell tutoring material is a scam, school officials said Monday.
The school district has received several calls about the man, who has been going door-to-door in several county neighborhoods, Diane Boyett, school district spokeswoman said.
"He does not in any way, shape or form have a relationship with VISD," Boyett said.
The identity of the man has not been identified.
VISD notified parents at Mission Valley and Aloe elementary schools about the scam Monday night through EduLink, a phone-recording notification system.
Most of the sightings have been outside the city of Victoria, Boyett said.
John Shannon, who lives off of Farm-to-Market Road 236, has had a run-in with the man twice.
The man, who said his named was Matt, stopped by Shannon's home Friday looking for Shannon's grandson, Shannon said.
Shannon's father had told the man they were not interested last week and on Monday, the man showed up again, Shannon said.
"What concerns me is where he got this address and information," Shannon said.
Each time his story changed. First, he was selling tutoring material and then he was working on some sort of book or magazine for the schools, Shannon said.
The man appeared to be about 20 years old, Shannon said.
A Victoria County Sheriff's Office deputy met with Shannon who reported the incident but could not be reached for comment Monday.
Shannon said he could also see papers with students' and teachers' contact information in the passenger seat of the vehicle.
The man was driving a black or dark blue Toyota four-door.
A student's information is public unless a parent signs a form each school year, requesting the school not to release the student's information, Boyett said.
The person seeking the information has to submit a request first, Boyett added.
Shannon said he is worried about children's safety.
"There are these little 5-year-old boys and girls at school and if a pedophile could get that information, that's got me concerned," he said.
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He came by my house yesterday...... driving very fast up our driveway, asked for a drink, didn't mind our private property signs. And I read this article so I did get his license plate number. He is from Illinois, what is he doing in south Texas with all our information? He had information about our neighbors. We called our neighbors to inform them of this man. They called us back saying he had came by, saying we sent him over there which was not true. Plus we live in a very rural area that never gets salesmen. Seems very creepy. I called the local authorities, but they said they could do nothing.
June 16, 2011 at 10:55 a.m.I also met him. I found him to be a nice and professional young man. I didn't get the impression from him that he was with VISD. I am familier with the material that he is selling. We bought the books from another college student about 10 years ago. It is an exchange program, students from our area go up north and students from there come south. Or that is my understanding of the program.
June 7, 2011 at 5:21 p.m.He also visited my home and attempted to make me believe that he was from VISD. I quickly informed him that I was a teacher in VISD and he quickly changed his story. Luckily, I knew that the program was legitimate, so allowed him to finish his sells pitch. The company he is working for is real but the way he is attempting to sell the product is illegal. A few of my friends purchased the program from this man and are impressed with it. I personally think it is overpriced and most of the information is available on the web for free.
June 7, 2011 at 10:17 a.m.Why is the map showing some FM road east of Winters, TX?
June 6, 2011 at 8:36 p.m.This turkey was doing the same scam several years ago. I ran him off then just like we ran him off Saturday. Black 4 door with paint peeling off of the roof. Didn't think to get the license as he was in a hurry to depart once he recognized the look on my face. I know we signed to allow the kids info for release but you would hope that the schools make sure the request is legit. We saw the list and it included names and addresses. I would guess the age mid to late twenties, light complexion, short brown hair (buzz cut) and yes he introduced himself as Matt.
June 6, 2011 at 7:23 p.m.