Published: January 22, 2009 11:29 pm      

Beware of Super scams

Big game brings con artists, experts say

It’s hard to fathom that some seeking to purchase tickets to Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1 might be carrying $2,000 or more in cash to buy from scalpers outside Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, but it wouldn’t surprise Warren King.

“Well, you know Steelers fans,” said King, president of the Better Bureau of Western Pennsylvania. “They’re a little fanatical, but that’s a good thing.”

King’s office on Thursday issued a warning to consumers to alert them to schemes related to the sale of Super Bowl tickets on the secondary market.

This year’s game pits the Steelers against the Arizona Cardinals.

Steelers fans are generally regarded as some of the most avid travelers among NFL teams. When the Steelers defeated the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL in Detroit, it was estimated that Steelers fans made up 80 percent to 90 percent of the crowd of 68,206.

It’s again anticipated that Steelers fans will dominate the crowd at the big game a little more than a week from now.

“We see these scams every year, whether it was the (Major League Baseball) All-Star game held here at PNC Park or three years ago when the Steelers were last in the Super Bowl,” King said. “It’s not something that’s unique in this instance.

“This is something that occurs with these special events. There are always going to be scam artists out there trying to take advantage of the loyalty and excitement of sports fans.”

According to the bureau, the scams come in many forms. A common one is the sale of fake tickets by scalpers outside the venue on the game day.

National ticket brokerage StubHub issued a statement on Thursday warning of similar scams.The company reported that the average price of a ticket on the secondary market is $2,585 and said that those planning to attend should be especially wary of tickets priced under the market value.

“If you think you’re going to get tickets outside the stadium, people need to be really careful with whom they’re dealing,” King said. “If they’re selling it to you at face value, there’s a good chance that it’s a counterfeit and you have no real recourse.”

Buying tickets online offers some protection, King said. Always purchase with a credit card which can be tracked, King said, and be cautious when considering buying from an online auction site, especially if the seller is requiring payments by cash or money orders.

King suggests using reputable ticket brokers and travel agents as the best option for getting into the game. He said that consumers should look for companies that are members of professional associations and have a long record of dealing in these types of events.

“Companies with a longstanding history of dealing with these types of special events are who you want to look for,” King said.

“If you just want tickets, make sure they are participating in national trade associations that adhere to strict standards such as the National Association of Ticket Brokers. They, for instance, require all members to offer a 200 percent guarantee.”



Don’t get taken

The Better Business Bureau offers tips to help avoid being the victim of a scam when purchasing Super Bowl tickets:

• Deal with a reputable local company.

• Check company out with BBB.

• Use a credit card for the purchase.

• Verify what is including in a travel package in writing.