Everything You Need To Know To Sack Super Bowl LII Scams
The New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles are making their way to Super Bowl LII on February 4th. With all the hype surrounding game day, you can count on scammers being eager to take advantage of fans.
Paula Fleming from the Better Business Bureau of Massachusetts and Rhode Island tells us, “Since there is such a high demand for playoff tickets, BBB anticipates a high increase in ticket scams. Scammers use these opportunities to lure consumers into purchasing counterfeit tickets that will unfortunately affect many sports fans.”
The BBB warns those participating in the celebration of the big game to play defensively when purchasing tickets, hotel rooms, and even NFL merchandise.
Coming across tickets to the Super Bowl may require going through sellers and brokers – and consumers need to be cautious when doing so. If you need to go through a seller or a broker to buy your tickets to the Super Bowl, make sure to look them up on bbb.org first to see what other customers have experienced. It is also a good idea to check if they are a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB). NATB members offer a 200% guarantee on tickets that don’t arrive in time for a game, concert or show.
Other tips from the BBB to keep in mind when shopping for tickets are: Know the difference between a ticket broker (a legitimate and accredited reseller) and a ticket scalper (an unregulated and unlicensed ticket seller). Look for secure websites when buying tickets. Look for a website with the padlock on the page and ‘https’ at the start of the page’s web address. Ask the seller where he or she is located. Also, ask how he or she can be contacted after the sale. If the seller is elusive, don’t pursue the offer. You should always ask for a picture of the tickets so you can confirm the tickets match the venue, and check out the seats ahead of time to avoid obstructed view seats or seats that do not exist. Last, but not least, always use a credit card (not a debit card) so you have some recourse if the tickets are not as promised. Never wire money or pay with a cashier’s check. You’ll have no way of getting your tickets or money back.
So you’ve got your tickets, next stop is the hotel room in Minneapolis. Look through Accredited hotels in Minneapolis Area to find last-minute bookings you can trust. Obviously, it is a huge sports event and the remaining rooms available may be pricey, but just do your homework and make sure everything looks legitimate.
There’s also a high demand for NFL merchandise during the playoffs, and consumers become desperate to not only find the exact item they are looking for, but to find it at a reasonable price. Scammers are known to sell fake merchandise from third-party websites that they bank on consumers to turn to once popular apparel starts running out in particular sizes. For consumers who are looking to purchase jerseys and other merchandise for the Super Bowl this year, make sure you are shopping with a legitimate business. Visit an Accredited sportswear-store near you or shop directly on the NFL website.
If you believe you have purchased a counterfeit ticket, immediately report it to the NATB at (630) 510-4594 and file a complaint with your local BBB at bbb.org.
Great tips as you get ready for the big game from the BBB. Go Pats!