Valley sports fans warned of scams surrounding big events

 Click the play button on the video window to the right to see the story

The Valley will play host to several big sporting events in the next few months, including at least one Cardinals playoff game, the Insight Bowl, the Fiesta Bowl and the NBA All-Star game.

Arizona’s Attorney General is warning that criminals may try to take advantage of the
games with ticket scams.

Attorney General Terry Goddard is recommending sports fans take common sense precautions to avoid scams when purchasing tickets to the major football and basketball games over the next few weeks.

"With the Cardinals in the playoffs and Phoenix hosting the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, Arizona sports fans have a lot to look forward to," Goddard said. "By protecting your personal information and making sure the companies you are buying from are legitimate, you can protect yourself from ticketing and travel scams that crop up around these big games."

Ticket agencies like Jack's Tickets in Tempe also suggest buying tickets from people you know.

For example, try a ticket agency or an alumni association. 

"If you come into an agency here in town they have a reputation of backing the ticket," said Bruce Genzburg owner of Jack's Tickets.

And as far as buying tickets on the web? Genzburg said, "It's a little more difficult because you don't know who your dealing with on the website."

Many of the most common scams are designed to obtain personal financial information, such as bank account or Social Security numbers.

Still, Goddard recommends the following steps when buying event tickets:

• Purchase tickets directly from the team or the venue where the event is going to be held. If you go through a ticket broker, do your homework. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if complaints have been filed against the company and look for the BBB online seal.

• When buying through an online auction site, do not let the individual seller lure you away from the original Web site. Any guarantee offered by the ticket broker online may be lost if you purchase tickets outside its Web site.

• Before buying tickets, check the event's Web site to make certain the seats and the section exist. If a phone number is listed on the Web site, call the number to see if it is correct and working. 

• Never pay with a cashier's check or wire money to the seller; you'll have no way to get your money back if the tickets never arrive. Pay with a credit card, which is safer than a debit card, or through a neutral third-party escrow service such as PayPal, which offers some amount of protection and potential reimbursement.

Goddard also warns consumers to be careful when making travel plans to attend games:

• When booking over the Internet, be cautious about making reservations with unknown people or businesses that require advance payment or deposits without a written contract. Legitimate businesses will provide a written confirmation of your reservation.

• Don't make any transactions that can be completed only by phone. Legitimate reservation companies will offer the option to book by phone or via the Internet. Get their address and ask about a written contract and refund policy. Do an Internet search of the address to see if a map shows the location.

• Be cautious of travel offers that appear "too good to be true." Dramatically reduced fares are often not legitimate and may require additional payments the buyer is unaware of when making the reservation. Read the fine print before purchasing.

• Beware of travel reservation Web sites that are unfamiliar to you. Scam Web sites will offer reduced fares on travel and hotel accommodations, only to steal your credit card information. Research a site before making a purchase and stick to trusted travel sites when booking online.

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, please contact the Attorney General's Office in Phoenix at 602.542.5763, in Tucson at 520.628.6504 or outside the metro areas at 1.800.352.8431.

Or if you have questions for Bruce Genzburg from Jack's Tickets in Tempe you can call (480) 968-3939

To file a complaint in person, the Attorney General's Office has satellite offices throughout Arizona with volunteers available to assist you.

You can find more information at the Attorney General's Web site at www.azag.gov.