Georgia: Beware of World Series ticket scams

October 25, 2021

Collins Parker,

ATLANTA, Georgia (WDEF) – Georgia officials are warning fans of the Atlanta Braves to watch out for World Series ticket scams.

Attorney General Chris Carr says scammers will sell fake, void or even stolen tickets on secondary markets.

So not only will the tickets cost a pretty penny, they may not actually get you into the game.

“With our Atlanta Braves bound for the World Series for the first time since 1999, we urge all of our fans who are planning to attend the games in person to remain vigilant when purchasing tickets,” said Carr.

“Awareness is key, and we encourage all consumers to be on guard against these types of scams.”

The Attorney General’s Office offers the following tips for consumers:

Buy tickets from reputable sites. You can check whether the business is accredited with the Better Business Bureau by going to bbb.org. You may also want to search the internet for complaints and reviews of a business.
The so-called ticket scalpers who approach you outside the event gates are often scammers peddling bogus tickets. Don’t risk it.
You can also find a ticket broker through the National Association of Ticket Brokers, which requires its members to guarantee that every ticket sold on their websites is legitimate.
Inquire with the organization hosting the sporting event about a safe method for reselling and buying verified tickets.
Be very wary of buying tickets through Craigslist ads.
Avoid wiring money to the seller, as this is often an indication of a scam.
If purchasing tickets online, make sure the website begins with the prefix https://. This indicates that transactions are encrypted and protected against being intercepted by third parties.
Be wary of deals that sound too good to be true. Scammers often try to lure consumers into handing over their money by offering tickets or merchandise at below-market rates.
Protect your identity by refraining from posting pictures of your tickets online or on social media. Scammers can easily take the barcodes in an online post and use them to create fraudulent tickets and steal personal information.
Ticket brokers are required by Georgia law to register with the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission and comply with other regulations, including providing their license number in any internet, broadcast or print advertising. To verify a ticket broker’s license, visit sos.ga.gov, click on “Licensing” and then “Search for a Licensee.”