Scammers ready for baseball opening day, tips to avoid rip-offs

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – Within the next week, Major League Baseball is back with fans ready to take part after a long offseason. Now is the time for fans to start thinking about the events and tickets they want to buy. The Better Business Bureau says they are more careful about scams.

The BBB says they are on the lookout for fake websites, tickets, and merchandise. Many online platforms are already flooded with tickets for sale. “There are countless ways consumers can find tickets online, with online marketplaces, ticket sellers, resellers and the like and, unfortunately, some of those are scams,” says Dennis Horton, Director of the Rockford of the Regional Office. Better Business Office. “Ticket sellers and scammers use the excitement and excitement of events like an opening day or hot shows and concerts to cash in on unsuspecting fans. Not only are they taking money from consumers, they are also taking money from legitimate companies ”.

Horton also points out that although most ticket exchanges now take place electronically, any tickets or QR codes may not be detected as fake until you arrive at the venue and attempt to check in.

Some tips to avoid getting scammed include:

• Buying tickets from unknown sources is like buying tickets in a dark alley. Fake tickets, especially for fancy events, are common.
• Buy only from trusted suppliers. Check the seller / broker. Look for them bbb.org to find out what other customers have experienced.
• Avoid tickets sold on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other free online listings. Scammers are experts in providing realistic tickets and fake receipts.
• Buy from the local. Whenever possible, use the official ticket sales agent for the venue or visit the ticket office directly.
• Consider your source. Know the difference between a professional ticket broker (a legitimate and accredited reseller), a ticket scalper, and a scammer selling fake tickets.
• Buy online only from suppliers you know and trust. Do not click on the e-mails of online advertisements; a common scam trick is to create a similar address / website.

Copyright 2022 WIFR. All rights reserved.