Above / Win or lose the next game, the Cubs again have given fans another championship season. Don’t be a loser by falling for fake tickets to tomorrow’s game.
CHICAGO – The World Series Champs battle the Dodgers at Wrigley Field Tuesday for their first home game in the National League Championship Series. BBB is alerting anyone shopping for tickets to be cautious as scammers are sure to take advantage.
“Whenever there’s excitement about a special event, like the Cubs post-season appearance, there are counterfeiters who hope to cash in on unsuspecting fans,” says Steve Bernas, president and CEO of Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois.
“As the Cubs advance, fans emotion’s and ticket prices follow which makes for the perfect combination for scammers to strike,” Bernas adds. “Scalper tickets are commonplace, but now more than ever, people need to be careful so they are not ripped-off by bad guys selling fake tickets.”
BBB also advises fans to beware of shady vendors selling poor quality, unlicensed merchandise for “bargain prices.”
Avoid being scammed!
- Consider your source. Know the difference between a professional ticket broker (a legitimate and accredited reseller), a ticket scalper (an unregulated and unlicensed ticket seller), and a scammer selling fraudulent tickets. · Check out the seller/broker. Look them up on bbb.org to learn what other customers have experienced.
- 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. Don’t click through from emails or online ads; a common scam trick is to create a web address that is similar to a well-known company.
- Know the refund policy. You should only purchase tickets from a ticket reseller that provides clear details about the terms of the transaction.
- 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 the tickets are fraudulent, you won’t be able to get your money back.
- Let the buyer and seller beware. There have been local instances of on-line sellers and buyers being ripped off, attacked, robbed and even killed. Choose public, well-lit meeting spaces and always tell someone where you’re going. Police stations often offer their lobbies and parking lots as “safe zones” to complete transactions.
Remember to always report scammers
If you’ve been cheated, or if you see suspicious activity, report the scam to authorities (In Naperville, 630-420-6666) and BBB Scam Tracker to warn others.
For reliable information, lists of BBB Accredited Businesses by industry, including Ticket Brokers, and BBB Business Reviews you can trust on local businesses and charities, visit askbbb.org/chicago.
If it sounds too good to be true… be safe, not sorry!
Report solicitations that appear to be scams to the Naperville Police Department through the Online Reporting System by calling the department’s non-emergency number, (630) 420-6666.
The Naperville Police Department maintains a list of current scams to educate residents of common tactics used by scammers that are posted on the City of Naperville website at www.naperville.il.us.