BBB Central Ohio: Avoiding National Championship ticket woes and counterfeit merchandise scams

The Ohio State Buckeyes are gearing up to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday, January 20, 2025. This marks Ohio State's first appearance in the national title game since the 2020 season—a milestone moment for fans across the country.

However, as excitement builds, so do opportunities for scammers. From fake tickets and counterfeit merchandise to fraudulent sportsbook schemes, fans eager to support their team face significant risks.

“Scammers know how to play on the excitement and urgency of the moment, so we’re urging fans to pause, verify, and stay cautious. A few extra steps now can save a lot of heartache later, ensuring you can fully enjoy this incredible experience,” said Judy Dollison, President of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio. 

Avoiding game day scams

Better Business Bureau (BBB) reports hundreds of ticket scams each year, with fraudsters taking advantage of the high demand for last-minute tickets and merchandise. Scammers often exploit fans’ enthusiasm, creating convincing fake listings and websites that deceive even the most cautious buyers.

To help fans navigate potential pitfalls, BBB and the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB) are working to raise awareness and educate consumers on smart ticket-buying practices.

Signs of being a victim

• Missing tickets: Tickets purchased online never arrive or turn out to be counterfeit.
• Disappearing sellers: The seller’s website or contact information disappears after your purchase.
• Unexpected charges: You notice unauthorized or higher-than-agreed charges on your credit card statement after the transaction.
• Tickets in another's name: The tickets bear someone else's name, indicating they may have been resold multiple times or are fraudulent.
• Unfamiliar purchase records: Your account shows ticket purchases you didn't make, suggesting unauthorized access.

Why it’s a problem

Ticket scams not only lead to financial loss but can also ruin what should be an exciting and memorable experience for fans. These fraudulent schemes harm the reputation of legitimate businesses and divert fans’ hard-earned money away from supporting the economy. Scammers frequently use high-pressure tactics, fake websites, and too-good-to-be-true offers to deceive consumers into making impulsive decisions. Such scams undermine trust in legitimate ticket vendors and betting platforms, making it harder for fans to feel secure in their purchases.

Preventive measures

• Buy tickets from trusted sources: Always purchase tickets through the venue or official ticket sales agents whenever possible. 
• Know the refund policy and use payment methods with protection, such as credit cards.
• Don’t click through from emails or online ads; a common ticket scam trick is to create a web address that is similar to a well-known company
• Research the sellers: Differentiate between professional ticket brokers, scalpers, and potential scammers. 
• Check companies on BBB.org to verify a seller’s legitimacy and look for reviews and complaints.
• Confirm the seller’s membership in reputable organizations like the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB). NATB members offer guarantees to protect consumers – NATB members offer a 200% purchase guarantee on tickets. 
• Look up the seller on VerifiedTicketSource.com to confirm you are buying from a NATB-member resale company.
• Research the tickets: Tickets you do “purchase”  might not actually exist in that venue - check that seating, row, section, and description on the ticket are accurate to the venue.
• Avoid too-good-to-be-true deals: Unrealistic prices are a red flag for potential scams. True face values are widely published for comparison.
• Use secure payment methods: Use credit cards for transactions, as they often offer better fraud protection than wire transfers or prepaid debit cards.
• Avoid unofficial communication channels/use verified platforms: Don’t engage with sellers outside legitimate platforms like eBay or official websites. ‘
• Scammers lure you here so they can request peer-to-peer payment methods like Venmo, Zelle, CashAp that have no purchase protections on them making it impossible to recoup any losses.
• Be cautious with betting apps: Only use licensed sportsbooks and verify the platform’s credentials before depositing funds.

What to do if you are a victim

• Report the scam: Submit a report through BBB Scam Tracker to help others avoid similar traps. www.bbb.org/scamtracker
• Dispute charges: If you used a credit card, contact your provider to dispute the charge.
  
  

Counterfeit merchandise scams: A growing threat for Buckeye fans

Counterfeit merchandise scams are increasingly targeting football fans, capitalizing on their passion for the game. As excitement builds for the Buckeyes’ first Championship appearance since 2020, scammers are exploiting this enthusiasm by offering fake jerseys, memorabilia, and game tickets. Using online platforms, scammers lure consumers with promises of exclusive or discounted merchandise, preying on their desire to celebrate and support their team. These counterfeit items not only lead to financial losses but also leave fans disappointed when their purchases turn out to be inauthentic… or don’t show up at all.

Signs of being a victim

• You purchased merchandise that doesn’t arrive or turns out to be fake.
• Certificates of Authenticity (COAs) accompanying your item are incomplete or questionable.
• The seller’s website or customer service becomes unreachable after your purchase.
• Merchandise received is of noticeably poor quality, with potential misspellings or incorrect logos.

Why it’s a problem

Counterfeit merchandise scams are not only costly for consumers but also damage the reputation of legitimate businesses. These scams often involve stolen images and deceptive practices, making it difficult for fans to identify genuine sellers. Additionally, scammers may leverage the appeal of “exclusive offers” to lure consumers into providing personal and payment information later used for future fraud.

Preventive measures

• Spot unrealistic deals: If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• Verify sellers: Research companies on BBB.org to check for reviews, complaints, and legitimacy.
• Check payment methods: Use credit cards for online purchases and avoid wire transfers or prepaid debit cards.
• Scrutinize COAs: Certificates of Authenticity should include complete and accurate details about the issuer. Only purchase through secure web pages designated by httpS at the beginning of the URL.
• Seek guarantees: Work with dealers who offer money-back guarantees for fraudulent purchases.

What to do if you are a victim

• Report the scam: Use BBB Scam Tracker to report your experience.
• Contact your credit card provider: If you used a credit card, dispute the charge as soon as possible.
• Stay informed: Subscribe to BBB’s Scam Alert emails for weekly updates on the latest scams.

 

For additional resources:

• Crucial tips for buyers navigating the world of sports memorabilia
• Visit BBB.org/scamtips to learn more about avoiding scams.
• Subscribe to BBB’s Scam Alerts and check BBB’s sports resources for tips to protect yourself.