Fake Super Bowl Tickets: Steelers, Packers Fans Beware
The Super Bowl is kind of like the circus. It always draws in a certain shady portion of the population that comes to town to prey on unsuspecting crowds. Pennsylvania Attorney General Bill Ryan is warning consumers to be extremely skeptical and vigilant about scams involving fake Super Bowl tickets.
Ryan says that Packers and Steelers fans desperate for tickets should still keep in mind that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
In particular, fans should watch out for fake sweepstakes offers, travel packages with tickets supposedly bundled in, or last minute game-day offers for fake Super Bowl tickets.
"It is important for football fans to carefully review the details of any ticket offer or travel promotion before handing over cash or credit card information," Ryan said in a press release. "Scam artists are counting on the fact that enthusiastic fans will get caught up in the excitement of the Super Bowl and will not be as attentive as they should be."
Fans are advised to buy their tickets through reliable channels instead of scalpers on the ground. Buying tickets through reliable channels may be more expensive than the best deal available from a scalper, but it has a substantially lower risk.
With Super Bowl ticket prices in the thousands, it is a very big risk to buy tickets from a source that you will not have recourse against. With a credit card, you can dispute charges. With cash, you're left chasing a ghost to try to get your money back if you wind up with fake Super Bowl tickets.
Like most ventures in life, it pays to do your research and reduce your risk. No one likes to get ripped off.
Related Resources:
- Consumer Advisory: football fans cautioned about possible Super Bowl scams (attorneygeneral.gov)
- Chicago Car Salesman Fired for Wearing a Packers Tie (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)
- MTV Sued for Airing 'Super Bowl Shuffle' Without Permission (FindLaw's Tarnished Twenty)