Some Whitefish businesses have received an email appearing to be connected with the Pilot’s Best of Whitefish contest, but the notice is not associated with the newspaper.

The email says that the owner’s business has been selected as a winner for the 2020 Best of Whitefish awards in a certain category, and they have the option to purchase an award by clicking on a website link. The email lists an address for a contact in Texas.

The Whitefish Pilot wants to warn business owners that the email is not in any way affiliated with the newspaper or its annual Best of Whitefish contest.

Editor Heidi Desch said it appears to be a phishing email asking business owners to share sensitive information by purchasing an award for display.

“We want to warn business owners about this false email that has been sent out and let them know that it is not connected with the Pilot’s popular annual contest,” she said. “This company is attempting to misrepresent the Pilot’s brand.”

For more than 15 years, the Pilot has been running its Best of Whitefish contest honoring Whitefish business, and is currently accepting votes in the 2020 contest through its website at www.whitefishpilot.com.

Winners of the Best of Whitefish will be contacted directly by Pilot staff following the end of voting on May 24. The Best of Whitefish annual publication will then be released in June in the Pilot and distributed throughout town.

Whitefish Pilot publisher Rick Weaver has contacted the company requesting it desist, but in the meantime business owners who may receive the email are asked to delete it immediately.

For questions or concerns, contact the Pilot at 862-3505 or email editor@whitefishpilot.com.