Beware Of Super Bowl Scams, PA Attorney General Warns

HARRISBURG, PA — Acting Attorney General Michelle Henry and her office’s Bureau of
Consumer Protection are cautioning Pennsylvanians to be alert for scams when purchasing Super Bowl LII tickets or other products relating to the event.

Consumers and sports fans can be scammed and end up buying fraudulent tickets or products without realizing it, she said.

“Everyone enjoys the Super Bowl, and in Pennsylvania, we are all excited that the Philadelphia Eagles are heading to the big game again,” Henry said. “However, big sporting events like
the Super Bowl also attract scam artists.

Henry is advising Pennsylvania consumers to follow these recommendations when buying Super Bowl tickets or Super Bowl-related merchandise:

• Be wary of the websites you visit. Don't click on banner ads or pop-ups on a legitimate website (like StubHub or Ticketmaster) that may take you to a different website. Consumers lose all protections and guarantees once you leave a legitimate website in favor of discounted tickets or other promises somewhere else.

• Review your cart before checking out when purchasing tickets through a website, as many online ticket resale platforms will charge fees at checkout.

• Be cautious in using search engines to find potential ticket sellers. Stick to familiar websites and read the URL of websites you visit. Scam artists often make minor changes to an actual website’s URL to bring a false sense of legitimacy to the website – a practice known as spoofing.

• Don’t buy tickets from a seller you don’t know. Always try to conduct any ticket purchase in a safe, well lit area. Consumers can also search for “Safe Transaction Locations” online. Police stations provide an environment for safe transactions.

• Always remember to use credit cards to provide fraud protection. Be wary of sellers asking for payment in gift cards, money orders, cryptocurrency or wire transfers, especially over the phone.