Beware of Fake Blackhawks Tickets: BBB

CHICAGO, IL - Chicago Blackhawks playoff tickets have been among the hottest items over the past decade, but at they've also been the subject of several fraudulent transactions.

The Better Business Bureau is warning hockey fans in Chicago to "control their enthusiasm" when looking to purchase playoff tickets.

There have been numerous cases in recent years of phony tickets being sold to unsuspecting fans hoping to see the team compete during the most exciting time of the season.

Northfield Man Paid $800 For Fake Blackhawks Tickets in 2015

“Explosive fan enthusiasm for a team’s performance is exactly what scammers are looking for,” Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois, said. “That’s because passion for the team often gets in the way of being a smart consumer."

The BBB offered the following suggestions to help fans avoid becoming victims of counterfeit ticket sales.

· Don't fall for too-good-to-be-true deals. One-time good deals should be red flags to anyone anxious for a ticket. Illegal ticket sellers know excitement about the event too often gets in the way of common sense and smart buying.

· Buy tickets and merchandise from a reputable ticket broker or retailer. There are established businesses that have been selling legitimate tickets for years. Many are Accredited Businesses with the BBB.

· Look for the official hologram and license from the sports league. These are very difficult to fake and an excellent indication of a licensed product.

· If buying merchandise online, buy from licensed sites. Lookout for broken English in the descriptions. This could indicate an overseas company, and these companies are among the principal culprits in producing counterfeit goods.

· Check the BBB website for Business Reports on an individual business. Reviewing online reports and Consumer Reviews about various businesses helps you avoid being cheated.

· Use a credit card if possible, so you can appeal to the card company. Using a credit card allows you to dispute the charge before you pay.

· Report the scam to BBB Scam Tracker at www.bbb.org/scamtracker/Chicago. If you believe you’ve been scammed report it to the authorities and at the special BBB website page to warn others.

After tying up their first round series with the St. Louis Blues at 1-1 on Friday, the Blackhawks return home for Games 3 and 4, set for Sunday and Tuesday.