How to keep away from Super Bowl scams as consultants warn of pretend tickets, counterfeit web sites

The Super Bowl is a scammer’s dream, according to online safety experts, and followers needs to be on “high alert” for fraudulent tickets and counterfeit web sites while trying to find tix to the big game.

Ahead of the Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Rams playoff game earlier this month, the Better Business Bureau issued a warning to fans to be on “high alert” when shopping for tickets to major sporting occasions.

The BBB shared a number of suggestions for shoppers to bear in mind to keep away from being turned away at the gate with a phony ticket – warning that rip-off emails and texts and pretend social media advertisements are all over the place these days.

The Super Bowl is a scammer’s dream, according to online security consultants, and followers needs to be on “high alert” for fraudulent tickets and counterfeit web sites. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Consumers reported dropping more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 – a 25% bounce from the earlier yr, according to the most not too long ago obtainable Federal Trade Commission data.

Avoid the screenshot rip-off

NFL groups are more and more requiring prospects to current digital tickets at the gate instead of printing out their tix at home and bringing them to the stadium.

Mobile-only ticket entry is an “increased security measure, as well as a means of increasing operational efficiencies,” the NFL said in a statement on its website.

“Mobile tickets allow for greater protection against fraudulent tickets, as the trail of a ticket can now be tracked digitally. Mobile tickets also can be shared easily and allow for quicker entry at the gate,” it added.

But shoppers can still fall sufferer to the screenshot rip-off when procuring by means of a third-party vendor. Scammers take a screenshot of an precise game ticket and then “sell” it to many different prospects – who will probably be turned away at the gate, since the ticket can only be utilized by one particular person.

The Better Business Bureau issued a warning to followers to be on “high alert” when shopping for tickets to major sporting occasions. AP

Beware of third-party sellers

The BBB also warned soccer followers to be skeptical of third-party sellers that seem to have a lot of tickets for sale, or offer tickets at unusually low costs.

Fraudulent web sites often promote pretend tickets at extraordinarily low costs to lure people into giving up their bank card info, and then ship over counterfeit tickets.

They can look convincing, with their own distinctive barcodes – and followers will only understand they’ve been duped when they’re stopped at the gate.

These websites also often wait until the last minute to slap prospects with exorbitant fees – amassing all of your bank card info and then tacking on a large processing payment on the very last web page.

Customers ought to test rankings and reviews for any third-party sellers before shopping for the tickets, or purchase instantly from the stadium’s box workplace or NFL team’s official website when potential.

If followers do buy from a third-party vendor, they need to test to make sure the URL begins with “https” and has a lock image, which signifies it’s a secure handle.

Customers ought to also only store from ticket resellers with clear refund insurance policies on their websites.

Avoid resale apps and fee platforms

Football followers needs to be particularly cautious of resale apps like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and other websites that offer free online listings, since they’re overrun with scammers, according to the BBB.

NFL groups are more and more requiring prospects to current digital tickets at the gate instead of printing out their tickets at home. Getty Images

Customers ought to also keep away from shopping for tix by means of platforms like Zelle, CashApp and Venmo, which ought to only be used with trusted buddies.

Fans ought to always use a bank card instead of debit playing cards, wire transfers or money purchases, since bank card purchases are refundable if the ticket turns out to be a rip-off.

Report scams

Experts urged prospects to contact their bank card company instantly in the event that they consider they’ve been defrauded to dispute the charge and order a refund.

Customers can report scams to the BBB and the FTC, in addition to the venue’s box workplace, since some stadiums could observe fraud and offer help.

Navigate the fast-paced world of business with us. At OurFinancetoday.com/business, we offer well timed and insightful coverage on all the pieces from market tendencies and startup success tales to financial news, entrepreneurship suggestions, and global financial shifts.

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a small business proprietor, or a seasoned government, our content is designed to tell, empower, and inspire your next transfer in the business world.

Our editorial team dives deep into real-world methods, company profiles, and knowledgeable analysis to convey you articles that matter. We simplify complicated business developments and highlight the innovations, challenges, and alternatives shaping industries today.

Make sure to bookmark our Business part and go to often — in a world that never stops shifting, staying informed is your greatest benefit.