Fraud Tip of the Day - October 6

How to buy tickets online without getting ripped off!

Tips and advice for anyone buying tickets online through people met on Craigslist, eBay auctions or one of the other online ticket outlets there seems to be so many of. There are a lot of tricksters out there deceiving sports fans and concert goers by selling them worthless tickets for top dollar.

These tips are for meant people new to purchasing tickets online but apply equally to everyone.

Many sports teams will have their own way of printing tickets but you should be aware of what a genuine ticket should look like before you feel comfortable plunking your money down.

Season Tickets for many, if not all NFL teams, have different players on EACH ticket. There is a larger picture of the player and then a smaller one in the corner. Season tickets also have a "raised and impinted" SEASON TICKET HOLDER printed on them.

Make sure you are aware of the official design of the specific event you want to attend.

Online ticket purchase tips:

• Ask for a copy of the seller's invoice stating the tickets have been completely paid for if you are buying an ENTIRE SEASON'S WORTH. If the whole amount was not paid, the seller does not have tickets, they may still have an invoice though. Check it carefully.
  
  
• Ask the seller for their account #. It should match their name from the ticket rep and the tickets. The account # is on the top of the ticket. Call the team or ticket agent and speak to the person's ticket rep and verify the person has an account and has tickets. People who have legitimate season tickets have no problem giving you their ticket reps name.
  
  
• Always meet in person, if possible. Pay with a cashier's check versus a personal check, protects your account information. If you pay without meeting, pay with PayPal it protects you (especially if tickets are never sent or are fake) or send a bank check.
  
  If the person is mailing you the tickets make sure you get some type of written receipt or contract via email stating when and how the tickets will be delivered/sent. Pay 1/2 now and the other 1/2 when the tickets are received. And make sure the person let's you know they got your money and they are sending the tickets, track your communication via email!
  
  
• People selling tickets at face value may be selling fake or scalped tickets. This is not ALWAYS the case, but it does happen. There are tons of scams out there. Check ticket agencies for views of seating charts, the cost of tickets, the dates of games, concerts, shows, etc. Research the tickets you are buying and know what you are getting! Tickets are easily reproduced so be aware of what you are buying.

Be Aware, Protect yourself and avoid scams. There are some great sellers out there (Please post their names if you have had great contacts so others can go to them or web sites)! If you've been ripped off, report it immediately so others don't fall into the same trap you did.

Online Ticket Scam Links