Ahead of the Super Bowl, Attorney General Bonta Warns Californians Against Ticket Scams

If you see hawking — or suspicious ticket reselling — be a patriot and submit a complaint

OAKLAND — Ahead of Super Bowl LX, taking place in Santa Clara, California, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert warning football fans of counterfeit Super Bowl tickets and scammers. In today’s alert, Attorney General Bonta reminds Californians to exercise caution in their online transactions and provides tips to avoid falling victim to ticket scams. 

“We all enjoy going to live shows and games to see our favorite artists or sports teams, but unfortunately scammers prey on our excitement,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today I remind Californians: If you see hawking — or suspicious ticket reselling — protect yourself by following the tips we provide. If you have fallen victim to a scam or suspect fraudulent activity, be a patriot and submit a complaint. You can file a report with my office at oag.ca.gov/report as well as the Better Business Bureau and the FBI’s Internet Complaint Center.” 

Protect Yourself from Ticket Scams: 

• Purchase tickets from authorized vendors: When possible, always purchase your tickets directly from official websites to confirm the ticket's authenticity.
• Know the refund policy: Before purchasing third-party resale tickets, look into the reseller’s refund policy and whether they offer a guarantee regarding the authenticity and timely arrival of the tickets.
• Protect your personal information: Never provide personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account number to prevent financial loss and fraud.
• Verify the web address safety: Double-check the website URL by ensuring the link starts with “https://” and has a padlock icon to ensure your credit card and billing information remain safe.
• Do your research: Search for online reviews regarding the seller and any potential customer complaints for prior scams.
• Use secure payment methods: Consider using your credit card to ensure that you have an opportunity to dispute fraudulent charges. Avoid using instant payment platforms like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App, or you could risk never getting your money back. Do not pay for tickets with gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Demands for payment using those methods are a strong warning sign of a scam.
• Be wary of overly discounted tickets: Be extra cautious with low-priced and/or hard-to-get tickets. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. 

If consumers have fallen victim to a ticket scam, they can file a complaint with our office at oag.ca.gov/report. Consumers can also report the incident to the Better Business Bureau and the FBI’s Internet Complaint Center.