U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, is leading a comprehensive investigation into the soaring rates of scams, which accounted for nearly half a trillion dollars in losses last year and now surpass the drug trade as an illicit industry.
Ahead of Super Bowl LX, Senator Hassan is working to raise awareness about scams that surge around major sporting events and provide Americans with practical tips to stay safe.
Tips to Avoid Common Sports Scams
Through sports betting, ticket, and merchandise scams, criminals capitalize on fan excitement to steal money and personal information. Below are some practical ways to spot and protect yourself from these scams, including tips from state Attorneys General, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the United States Senate Federal Credit Union, and AARP.
Sports Betting Scams
As sports betting grows, so do sports betting scams. Recent data indicate an increase in consumer reports of fraudulent sports betting websites that steal from consumers. Scammers create these illegal, fraudulent sites by mimicking real platforms (or sportsbooks). These websites and apps may offer a “risk-free” bonus but then may require more deposits or refuse to pay out winnings to users.
Key tips to avoid these scams:
o Check a sportsbook’s location before betting. Offshore sportsbooks are not regulated by U.S. authorities and often have limited consumer protections. On many of these platforms, for example, consumers have reported altered wagers, failed withdrawals, and stolen funds. These sportsbooks put U.S. consumers at risk of losing their money and earnings.
o Do not respond to emails, social media posts, or messages from individuals claiming to have insider betting information. These claims are likely fake.
o If you have an issue with a legitimate sportsbook, use the customer support information listed on the official website. Scammers often create fake customer support pages or contact you directly by text and email pretending to represent legitimate companies.
Ticket Scams
When the average resale price for Super Bowl tickets can reach $6,000, fans seeking deals are prime targets for scammers offering discounts. Ticket scams are particularly common for high demand sporting events like the Super Bowl. Scammers often advertise fraudulent tickets at too good-to-be-true prices on social media ads, fake websites, online marketplaces, or in emails and texts that appear legitimate but are not connected to the event venue or official sellers.
Key tips to avoid these scams:
o Buy your tickets from a team’s official website, a league’s authorized sellers, or reputable ticket vendors. Ensure that you are on an official site – look for misspellings or extra characters in the URL to confirm that you are not on a fake site.
o Even on legitimate websites, avoid clicking on banner ads or pop-ups, as these links can redirect you to third-party websites without buyer protections.
o Be especially wary of sellers who require payment by methods other than credit cards such as wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer payment apps.
Merchandise Scams
Ahead of past Super Bowls, federal authorities have seized thousands of counterfeit sports merchandise items worth more than $120 million. These items included fake jerseys, jewelry, hats, and cell phone accessories. Scammers often use fake websites, online marketplaces, and social media to sell counterfeit merchandise. Victims may receive poor-quality knockoffs, goods that do not match what was advertised, or nothing at all.
Key tips to avoid these scams:
o Research unfamiliar sports merchandise sellers on the website for your state’s Attorney General or the BBB’s website for customer reviews and complaints.
o Review a merchandise seller’s website for signs of a legitimate business, such as a working phone number, verifiable brick-and-mortar address, or social media presence with real customer feedback.
o Before purchasing merchandise, look for clear shipping, return, and refund policies.
Information for Victims
If you think you have been the victim of a scam, please visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov and/or contact local law enforcement.
Please also consider sharing how you or your loved ones have been impacted by scams by completing Senator Hassan’s online scams SURVEY. This survey is informing Senator Hassan’s ongoing investigation into scams and is not intended for individuals requesting assistance with fraudulent activity or seeking to file a report with law enforcement.