5 Tips for Buying Discount Super Bowl Tickets Safely
Super Bowl tickets are some of the most sought-after tickets in the world. Football’s most prestigious event is always over-subscribed, which is why so many fans scour the Internet for tickets. And while this bears fruit for many people, it’s not without its risks.
Sadly, there are scammers and fraudsters out there that want to use the Super Bowl to rip off honest fans. These rogue traders will stop at nothing to get their hands on your cash — and they’ve developed incredibly sophisticated ways of doing just that.
If you’re going to search for discounted Super Bowl tickets from a third party this year, there are five safety tips you need to know about.
1. Don’t Buy Tickets From Strangers on the Street
Super Bowl tickets always sell out within a few minutes of going on sale. In sheer desperation, some fans will show up on the day to see if they can get tickets from touts on the street. But approaching people you don’t know in the street — and giving them your cash — is never a sensible thing to do.
You don’t know whether the ticket you’re buying was stolen or obtained dishonestly. If it was, you could be refused entry to the game, without any chance of getting a refund. There’s even a chance that the police will want to question you on suspicion of fraud or theft. It’s also worth remembering that a lot of the tickets sold on the street before a Super Bowl game are fake.
Only purchase your tickets from a reputable ticket reseller with a business address, customer service phone line and reviews from happy customers. Also, buy from companies that guarantee legitimate tickets or a full, no-fuss refund.
2. Never Share Photos of Your Tickets
Receiving tickets for such a huge event is understandably exciting. But all too often excited fans share photos of their tickets across their social media channels. They do this to let their friends know the great news, but what many people don’t realize is that scammers and fraudsters are often watching. A barcode or a serial number can be replicated and used on a fake ticket — so avoid the temptation to share photos.
3. Never Pay Cash
If a company or an individual insists on cash only for a Super Bowl ticket, you should immediately walk away. While there’s a chance that the ticket is completely legitimate, you’ll have no paper trail to report to the authorities if it isn’t. Purchase your tickets using a major credit card, as most financial institutions cover losses caused by theft or fraud.
4. Study Your Ticket Closely When it Arrives
Super Bowl tickets feature a few anti-counterfeiting measures that are very difficult to replicate. For example, a genuine ticket features a raised polypergraphic. There’s also a sophisticated security logo on the back of each ticket. Inspect yours closely as soon as it arrives; leaking colors, misaligned text and fading all suggest that your ticket might be fake.
5. Check the Ticket Website is Secure
If you’re buying your Super Bowl tickets from an online reseller, make sure you’re on the official website — as fraudsters create almost identical sites to fool consumers. Check the web address carefully, and look for the green padlock that signifies your connection is secure.
Don’t let scammers stop you from finding cheap Superbowl tickets online. Resale marketplaces such as Ticket Charge provide a vital, secure buying experience you can trust — which could be the difference between attending the next Super Bowl and watching it from home.