As the Super Bowl approaches on February 9, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is alerting consumers to the risk of ticket scams. With Super Bowl tickets primarily distributed through NFL teams and official resellers, scammers take advantage of high demand by posing as legitimate sellers to deceive fans.
To avoid falling victim to fraud, consumers should purchase tickets only from verified sources, such as those listed on the official NFL website. Scammers often advertise fake tickets on social media and online marketplaces, providing convincing but fraudulent confirmation emails, barcodes, or screenshots. Since all Super Bowl tickets are mobile and feature dynamic barcodes that refresh frequently, fans should be wary of resellers offering PDFs, paper tickets, or screenshots.
Consumers are advised to verify ticket sellers through VerifiedTicketSource.com and to be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. Payment should be made through credit cards whenever possible, as they offer more fraud protection compared to cash, gift cards, or payment apps, which are commonly used by scammers.
For those opting to stream the game, consumers should monitor free trial periods to avoid unexpected subscription charges. New York law requires companies to clearly outline how to cancel auto-renewing subscriptions before sign-up.
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection offers mediation services for consumers facing disputes with businesses. Consumers can contact the Consumer Assistance Helpline at 1-800-697-1220 or file complaints online.
