Officials warn of scams, counterfeit tickets ahead of SEC Championship

ATLANTA (FOX 5 Atlanta) - If you are still in the market for tickets to Saturday's SEC Championship, be careful where you buy them. 

Both the Attorney General's Office and the Southeastern Conference have issued warning to fans about counterfeit tickets and other potential scams.

"The Southeastern Conference reminds fans to beware of possible counterfeit or stolen tickets. Any individual in possession of a counterfeit or stolen ticket will be denied access into the game," the organization said in a news release.

Tickets are sold out, so the only ones currently available are on the resale market. 

According to Adam Budelli with ticket website StubHub, the average price for tickets to the SEC Championship on their site is $750.  The lowest price is $250 and the highest is $4,100.

"With Alabama and Georgia being a rematch of the National Championship in the same building less than a year later, it clearly has driven a big spike in demand," said Budelli. 

He said SEC Championship tickets are 17 percent more expensive on StubHub this year than last year. 

To protect yourself, only use reputable ticket companies that guarantee the tickets, like StubHub.  The SEC has set up its own exchange at secticketoffice.com.

No matter the event, the Attorney General's Office advises against buying tickets from scalpers outside the venue.  They warn against using Craigslist to purchase tickets or wiring money to someone and if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

To file a complaint with the state, contact the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission at 404-656-2868 or soscontact@sos.ga.gov.