RALEIGH — Between collegiate and professional football, post-season baseball and the upcoming hockey season, consumers need to be aware that ticket scammers are gearing up for the games, as well. Better Business Bureau serving eastern North Carolina warns fans to look out for scammers and do proper research before buying tickets for the big game.

“Regardless of what team you are rooting for, it is important for consumers to be aware that these scammers are out there and are willing to do anything to take your money,” said Mallory Wojciechowski, president and CEO of BBB serving eastern N.C. “Scammers are often seen scalping tickets, but selling fake tickets online has become more and more popular.”

BBB serving eastern N.C. offers the following tips to avoid fraudulent ticket purchases:

• Purchase from the venue. Whenever possible, use the official ticket sales agent for the venue. Many now offer secondary sales options, as well.
• Consider your source and verify your ticket. Know the difference between a ticket broker (a legitimate and well-known reseller), a ticket scalper (an unregulated and unlicensed ticket seller), and a scammer selling fraudulent tickets. Verify your ticket by paying a visit to the arena where the event will be held. Present your ticket to “Will Call” (customer service) and they can verify if your ticket is legitimate.
• Check with BBB. Look up the ticket broker/seller up on bbb.org to learn what other customers have experienced. Check to see if they are a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers. NATB members offer a 200-percent guarantee on tickets that don’t arrive in time for the game.
• Buy only from trusted vendors. Buy online only from vendors you know and trust. Look for the lock symbol in the web address to indicate a secure purchasing system. Use caution when clicking on links in emails or online ads, as a common trick is to create a web address that is similar to a well-known company. If your event host redirects you to a third-party ticket broker, confirm that the ticket broker is selling tickets at a price that is listed clearly and always read the site’s fine print.
• Know the refund and guarantee policies. You should only purchase tickets from a ticket reseller that provides clear details about the terms of the transaction. Be aware of policies regarding late arriving tickets or tickets that do not gain you admission to the event so that you can gather any required documentation to support your claim.
• Use payment methods that come with protection. Always use a credit card so you have some recourse if the tickets are not as promised. Debit cards, wire transfer or cash transactions are risky. If you pay in these ways and the tickets are fraudulent, you won’t be able to get your money back.

For more information you can trust, visit bbb.org.