BBB Warns: Beware of Super Bowl Scams

The Super Bowl is right around the corner! Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be on the lookout for counterfeit memorabilia and phony game tickets.

Counterfeit Memorabilia

There are three good reasons not to buy counterfeit goods: theft, quality and security. Counterfeit items are stolen goods. Someone has stolen your favorite team’s name and logo for their own profit. Plus,counterfeit items are often more cheaply made, which means they won’t last as long as the real thing.

When purchasing counterfeit memorabilia online, you may face bigger problems. Consumers across the country, in the past, have reported websites to BBBs that don’t even have any merchandise to sell. They just want the consumer’scredit card number and personal information to steal their identity or drain their bank account. To get official sports gear, buy directly from the team or league websites, or from official vendors at the stadium.

Ticket Scams

Between now and Super Bowl Sunday, thousands of tickets will be listed on classifieds websites, offering buyers little protection from dishonest sellers. BBB suggests making a game plan. Avoid scams by being skeptical of:

· Offers that sound “too good to be true”

· Pushy sales tactics

· Poor quality of merchandise

· Offers that require wire transfer of funds

So where can you turn? Choose reliable and verifiable sellers and resellers. Sites such as Ticketmaster and Stub Hub guarantee your tickets’ authenticity. Remember, last minute tickets will be expensive. And always check out a business first at www.bbb.org.