With many Missourians attempting to buy tickets to this Saturday's SEC Football Championship game in Atlanta, Attorney General Chris Koster is advising Mizzou fans to be aware of the potential for scams and counterfeit tickets.
Koster warned that scammers may make multiple copies of the same printed-out ticket or design tickets that look real to sell to unsuspecting fans. Scammers may also promise tickets through websites such as Craigslist, and then fail to provide them after receiving payment.
"Tickets to the SEC Championship are in high demand, which creates an environment for scammers and counterfeiters to take advantage of consumers in the secondary market," said Koster. "We want Mizzou fans making the trip to Atlanta to get what they've paid for."
For those who did not purchase tickets directly through the Missouri Athletic Department, but want to attend the game, Koster recommends that fans:
Stick with trusted secondary market vendors, such as StubHub and Ticketmaster. Be wary of purchasing tickets from someone you don’t know on Craigslist, eBay, or other similar marketplace or auction sites.
Be especially wary of paying cash to a stranger for tickets. If you've been sold counterfeit tickets you'll have a very hard time finding the scammer again and won’t get your money back.
Check guarantee policies on online sales. Stick with vendors that guarantee refunds if you receive invalid tickets or don't get them at all.
Purchase tickets using a credit card. This offers more protection than a debit or cash transaction because you can dispute the charge if you don't receive authentic tickets.
Stay away from sellers who ask you to wire money or make your purchase using a pre-paid card. These are signs of a scam.
Inspect your tickets to look for signs that they are copies or fakes.
Mizzou fans can search the National Association of Ticket Brokers website for secondary market vendors that offer authenticity guarantees on the tickets they sell. Koster said Missourians can also call his Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 if they suspect a scam.
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