The Better Business Bureau warns football fans not to gamble on lessthan-reputable ticket sources to avoid getting ripped off. "It is crunch time for scammers to get up to their usual tricks with counterfeit or bogus tickets," Lynda Pasacreta, BBB President and CEO, said in a press release. "Scammers know what the hot tickets are and search out fans who are so excited that they might not recognize the signs of a scam." The Better Business Bureau cites several red flags: Believing you're that lucky-the reason tickets are expensive is they're hard to get and the chances of getting lucky and finding a deal are slim. If a situation sounds too good to be true, such as someone selling tickets to a popular event for much less than offered elsewhere, it's probably not on the level. Wiring money to someone you don't know-never wire money to someone you don't know. When buying tickets online through a secure website (the web address should begin with "https: //"). Pay with a credit card because of the consumer protections provided. Not doing your research-if buying online, ask to see a picture of the tickets to confirm the seats match up with the venue. If friends already have tickets, make sure they look the same as the ones you want to buy. Seek guidance online about how the tickets should look. Buying from scalpers at the event-buying tickets outside the venue can be a game of roulette. You might get ripped off or the seats may be just as advertised. Choosing a disreputable online ticket broker-when purchasing tickets through an online broker check them out online at mbc.bbb.org and review the company's policy for customer satisfaction and what happens if tickets purchased through their site are fake or not as advertised.
