BBB warns of ticket scams during Stanley Cup Final

PITTSBURGH — The Better Business Bureau has issued a warning about potential ticket scams during the Stanley Cup Final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators.

Purchases made through the secondary resale market, including online ticket exchanges and professional resellers, can end up being fraudulent. The BBB advises people to be wary when buying from unknown people and if a deal sounds too good to be true.

“The opportunity for sports fans to be tricked by bogus ticket sellers occurs most often when people buy tickets from individuals outside of an arena, on the street or through online classified ads and bulletin boards,” the BBB said in a news release.

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The BBB offered the following advice for fans seeking Stanley Cup Final tickets:

• Purchase from the venue. Whenever possible, use the official ticket sales agent for the venue. Many venues also offer recommended secondary sales options with verified tickets. Be careful buying tickets from someone on the street. When you get to the gate and find out your tickets aren't real, the seller will be long gone.
• Research the seller/broker. Look them up on bbb.org and check to see if they are a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers. If you buy tickets through an online auction site, choose a seller with a long history of satisfied customers. Scammers can hijack old accounts, so make sure the seller has recently sold other tickets.
• Make a secure purchase. Look for the lock symbol in the web address to indicate a secure purchasing system. Ticket buyers should also be wary of sellers who try to lure buyers from a legitimate site to another site for a "private" transaction. Never pay a seller by wire transfer or pre-paid debit card. Always use a credit card so you have some recourse.
• Be wary of online ads. Don't click through from emails or online ads; a common scam trick is to create a web address that is similar to a well-known company. When you search the web for online tickets, advertisements for cheap tickets will often appear. Use good judgment; some of these ads are going to be scams, especially if the prices are low.
• Confirm the details. Check the seats out ahead of time. Always ask for section, row and seat number to avoid obstructed seat views or seats that do not exist. Obtain the refund policy and terms of the transaction in writing. Avoid purchasing from someone who does not disclose this information.

Anyone who has issues related to a ticket purchase can file a complaint with the BBB at bbb.org and report potential ticket scams to the BBB Scam Tracker.

Cox Media Group