How to avoid being scammed when buying CFP Championship game tickets

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 03: A general view of the exterior of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium is seen on the exterior of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium during an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons on December 3, 2017 at Mercedes-

As fans prepare for the College Football Playoff (CFP) Championship game on Monday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta, ticket prices are reaching record highs. The cheapest ticket to the game is currently approximately $1,300 plus and the most expensive tickets are slightly over $5,000 plus, according to StubHub

Unfortunately, the skyrocketing demand has created a perfect storm for scammers eager to exploit hopeful fans. Major sporting events, especially ones with unprecedented excitement like the CFP Championship, often see a rise in fraudulent ticket schemes. With many fans relying on resellers, social media ads, and other non-official sources, the risk of falling victim to scams is higher than ever.

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Tips to Avoid Ticket Scams

USAA is offering guidance to help fans protect themselves against scammers while trying to secure tickets for the big game:

Buy from trusted vendors: Use platforms like VerifiedTicketSource.com to confirm the legitimacy of resellers. Trusted names like StubHub and Ticketmaster provide guarantees against fraudulent listings.

Use protected payment methods: Avoid cash, Zelle, or wire transfers, as these can be challenging to recover. Opt for credit card payments for better consumer protection.

Look for a refund policy: Steer clear of ticket listings that lack clear terms about refunds or transaction policies.

Watch out for phishing scams: Be cautious of suspicious texts or emails with official-looking logos or return addresses. Clicking links in these messages can install malicious software on your device or allow scammers to track your activity.

Buying from Facebook? Check the profile: Investigate the seller’s profile. If the account was recently created or has very few posts, it may be a scam. Red flags include accounts made in the past month.

Too good to be true? It probably is: If a deal seems unrealistically cheap, take time to research and verify. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to push buyers into bad deals.

What to Do if You’re Scammed

If you fall victim to a ticket scam, report the fraud to your bank immediately. Additionally, file a report with the Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker to help others avoid similar pitfalls.

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