Attorney General Kris Mayes Warns Consumers to be Vigilant Against Super Bowl Scams

PHOENIX - Attorney General Kris Mayes is reminding consumers to watch out for Super Bowl scams in the weeks leading up to the big game in Glendale.  

Scam artists may try to sell counterfeit tickets, the same passes to multiple consumers or original tickets that have been voided. Consumers looking for a place to stay need to watch for fraudsters who may pose as hosting sites.  Scammers sometimes lead people to believe they have accommodations, request payment and then disappear, leaving them with no place to stay.

"It’s important for all Arizonans to remain vigilant and protect themselves from scams around big events like the Super Bowl," said Attorney General Kris Mayes. "I urge Arizonans to take precautions when making purchases and arranging accommodations. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

General Mayes offers the following tips to consumers:
 
Purchasing Tickets:

  • Buy tickets from trusted vendors.
  • Be wary of purchasing tickets from someone you don’t know on Craigslist, eBay or other similar person-to-person marketplace or auction sites. 
  • Do not pay for tickets with cash, wire transfer, gift cards or pre-paid money transfer, as these payment methods are difficult to trace or recover.  If you pay by credit card and the tickets turn out to be fake, you can dispute the charge.
  • If you plan on using a mobile wallet or peer-to-peer payment service, be sure you understand the protections the service provides before making a transaction.
  • Be wary of advertisements with low prices. 

Accommodations:

  • Be cautious about making reservations online with unknown people or businesses.  Make sure you receive written confirmation of your reservation.  
  • Avoid rental companies or individuals listing rental properties that can’t be reached by phone during normal business hours, tell you they are out of state or out of country or request communication via text only.

If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, you can file a consumer complaint by visiting the Attorney General’s website.  If you need a complaint form sent to you, contact the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648 or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at (800) 352-8431.