Sports fans in Wisconsin are being warned to take extra care when buying playoff tickets, amid concerns that scammers are exploiting demand for games that are selling out quickly.
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau said supporters risk receiving counterfeit digital tickets, duplicate seats or nothing at all, with money lost to fraud often difficult to recover.
Lisa Schiller, senior director at the Wisconsin BBB, said the excitement surrounding the playoff season could lead buyers to act without carrying out basic checks.
“The excitement of playoff season can make fans eager to secure a seat, but scammers count on that urgency,” she said. “Take time to verify the seller, use trusted ticket platforms and don’t let the rush to get tickets cloud your judgment.”
How playoff ticket scams work
Fraudsters may advertise tickets through hacked or newly created profiles on platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Craigslist and X. In some cases, sellers claim to be friends or acquaintances, making it important to confirm any offer directly before sending money.
Other scams involve websites designed to resemble official box offices or established resale marketplaces. Fake web addresses and copied branding can make an unauthorised seller appear legitimate.
The BBB said pressure to pay immediately should also be treated as a warning sign. Scammers may claim they are facing an emergency or insist that a buyer must transfer money before someone else takes the tickets.
Fans are advised to be particularly wary if a seller demands payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift card or a peer-to-peer payment app. These methods can make it difficult to reverse a transaction, while credit cards may provide greater protection if the tickets prove fraudulent.
Advice for checking tickets
The BBB recommends buying through the team, venue or official box office, or through an established secondary marketplace offering a purchase guarantee.
Listings should include precise section, row and seat details. Buyers should check that the seats exist at the venue and review all additional fees before completing a resale purchase.
Digital tickets should be transferred into the buyer’s official account through a trusted service such as Ticketmaster or the team’s own app. Screenshots, PDFs, printed copies and promises that tickets will be transferred later may not provide valid entry.
Anyone uncertain about a ticket can contact the stadium’s ticket office, customer service desk or Will Call facility before attempting to enter.
What to do after a ticket scam
People who believe they have been defrauded should report the seller to the platform where the transaction took place and notify their bank or credit card company immediately. The payment should be queried or disputed as soon as possible.
The incident can also be reported to the BBB’s Scam Tracker and to the Federal Trade Commission. Anyone who has suffered a significant loss may also wish to contact their local police department.
