Your BBB urges football fans to use caution and commonsense when purchasing tickets and travel packages for the Super Bowl to avoid being scammed. As the excitement surrounding the Super Bowl heats up, so do the scam artists as they look for potential victims.
The BBB offers the following consumer tips:
- Deal with a reputable local company who has a track record with Bowl game packages and ticket sales.
- Check the company out with the Better Business Bureau.
- Use a credit card for your purchase - credit cards offer additional protection if the offer falls short - WesternUnion and Money Gram are red flags associated with frauds.
- If you are considering purchasing a travel package, verify what is and isn’t included in the package and get it in writing. Once the package is confirmed after the purchase, request a written confirmation and verify that there are no discrepancies in what you agreed to. The U.S. Department of Transportation consumer protection rules require any operator marketing a Super Bowl air package that is promoted as including game tickets to have the tickets in hand or have a written contract for the tickets before the operator does any advertising.
The BBB cautions consumers when purchasing tickets online as the internet provides a forum for scammers to take advantage of online shoppers. Consumers need to keep in mind that any seller they contact online, whether through a
website, auction site or chat room, may or may not be legitimate. Consumers should also be aware that they may be dealing with a seller who is not licensed to resell tickets and may be in another state. Before choosing an online ticket broker or reseller, make sure your purchase is 100% guaranteed.
For any Internet transaction, make sure:
- The website where you buy tickets is secure and reputable. Look for a seal of approval from the Better Business Bureau, Verisign or similar organizations.
- If purchasing tickets online through eBay be sure to read through the comments and feedback. You should also click on the item number to view what was sold. It should send up a red flag if the seller has sold 500 items and has never sold bowl tickets before.
- Read all fine print, and be sure to verify the ticket delivery dates.
- Beware of emails that seem to be from eBay guaranteeing the honesty of a seller. eBay does not send these types of messages.
Contact: Manuel Garcia 1.800.675.8118 ext. 332 or manuel@bbbcencal.org