DENVER — Colorado’s Attorney General, Cynthia Coffman, issued a warning Thursday for Broncos fans hoping to score Super Bowl tickets.
“This is hard earned money that people are paying,” Coffman said. “I mean thousands of dollars and we want them to get what they pay for – and they have every right to. So if somebody is ripped off, we want to help them.”
Coffman said scammers are only getting more sophisticated.
“They create tickets that look very much like the NFL-approved tickets, including the holograms and some of the coding,” she said. “So people have to be really careful about who they buy from.”
Coffman recommends fans only purchase tickets through licensed sellers with the National Association of Ticket Brokers, because they offer a ticket guarantee.
She also said it’s wise to use a credit card if you end up buying resale tickets.
“If there is a fraud, most credit card companies will assist the holder with getting their money back,” Coffman said. “It also allows us, as the criminal prosecutors, to find the person who has taken the money and who has ripped someone off.”
With resale tickets averaging between $5,000 and $6,000, analysts with Seat Geek said this is set to not only be the most expensive Super Bowl, but also the most expensive event – potentially topping the Mayweather-Pacquiao boxing match and the Masters.
Coffman also warned travelers looking to book a place to stay in California for the Broncos February 7 match up against the Panthers.
“People really want to be careful when they’re booking a place to stay online,” she said. “Check them out with the Better Business Bureau and see what their rating is and make sure they haven’t had any complaints. You just want to do your research.”
You can research sellers at the National Association of Ticket Brokers website or call their hotline at 630-510-4594.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud or would like to report suspicious activity, you can file a report at www.stopfraudcolorado.gov or call 800-222-4444.