Warwick Valley School District says Web site has no affiliation with the district or its sports programs

Warwick — A Web site referencing Warwick Valley High School sports teams has no affiliation with the district or any of its athletic teams, according to a press release issued by the district Wednesday. Varsity Networks, Inc. - an organization based in Hartsdale - has a Web site with pages dedicated to Warwick Valley sports programs such as basketball, wrestling and football. For example: http://warwickvalleyboysbasketball.vnsports.com/ and http://warwickfootball.stackvarsity.com/ The Web site allows visitors to register by supplying personal information such as name and e-mail address. T-shirts bearing Warwick wording and logos are also being sold on for between $19.99 and $28.99, according to the school district’s press release. District officials strongly urge parents and community members not to register or make purchases from this Web site. Its Terms of Service clearly state that use of the Web site is “at the user’s own risk.” The terms go on to state the company does not guarantee the accuracy, quality, and appropriateness of information, services or merchandise provided on the Web site. Officials said they were looking into whether the content and representations of the web site constitute as Internet crimes, which involve the use of the Internet to communicate false or fraudulent representations to consumers. Protect yourself The Warwick Valley School District included the following recommendations from the FBI in its press regarding Internet fraud: Don’t give out your credit card number online unless the site is a secure and reputable. Sometimes a tiny icon of a padlock appears to symbolize a higher level of security to transmit data. This icon is not a guarantee of a secure site, but provides some assurance. Don’t trust a site just because it claims to be secure. Before using the site, check out the security/encryption software it uses. Make sure you are purchasing merchandise from a reputable source. Do your homework on the individual or company to ensure that they are legitimate. Check with the Better Business Bureau from the seller’s area. Check out other websites regarding this person/company. Don’t judge a person or company by their website. Flashy websites can be set up quickly. Purchase merchandise from reputable dealers or establishments. Obtain a physical address rather than simply a post office box and a telephone number, and call the seller to see if the telephone number is correct and working. Send an e-mail to the seller to make sure the e-mail address is active, and be wary of those that utilize free e-mail services where a credit card wasn’t required to open the account. Consider not purchasing from sellers who won’t provide you with this type of information. Purchase merchandise directly from the individual/company that holds the trademark, copyright, or patent.