BBB warns of fake Super Bowl ticket scams

Minneapolis is hosting Super Bowl LII on Feb. 4, with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles playing at U.S. Bank Stadium.

With demand high and ticket prices for the big game starting around $3,500 before fees, the stakes are raised.

"Unfortunately that goes for ticket fraud, too. Scammers are going to be looking for a big score," said Susan Adams Loyd, president and CEO of BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota, in a news release.

The NFL advises fans to buy tickets from reputable sources, including NFL Ticket Exchange.

All authentic Super Bowl tickets are printed on hard stock paper. Print-at-home or other electronic tickets are not available for the game.

When searching for tickets through online brokers on the secondary market, look for the BBB Online seal and click on the link to ensure it is valid.

When buying through an online exchange, don't be lured away from the website by the seller.

The company may not guarantee any lost money if a transaction occurs outside its domain.

If you buy tickets through an online auction, choose a seller with a long, continuous history. Scammers can hijack old accounts, so make sure they have recently bought or sold other items.

Pay only with a credit card or through PayPal, which offers some protection and potential reimbursement if the tickets do not arrive, the BBB said.

For further protection from buying counterfeit or stolen tickets:

• Don't buy from anyone selling tickets on the street or in front of the venue.

• Watch out for tickets offered on Craigslist and requests to wire funds.

• Be wary of tickets advertised at "too good to be true" prices below market value.