New York Mets fans celebrate the Mets season with a banner in center field after the Mets concluded the regular season with a 1-0 shutout of the Washington Nationals in a baseball game in New York, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) ORG XMIT: NYM125
Photo: Kathy Willens
New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom, left, and New York Mets relief pitcher Tim Stauffer, and the Mets Curtis Granderson, leave the field after taking a walk around the field to thank fans after the Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 1-0 in their final regular season baseball game in New York, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) ORG XMIT: NYM118
Photo: Kathy Willens
New York Mets players, including New York Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy, far left, walk the field thanking fans who applauded their winning season after the Mets defeated the Washington Nationals 1-0 in the final regular season baseball game in New York, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) ORG XMIT: NYM121
Photo: Kathy Willens
New York Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez receives a trophy from Lonn Trost, New York Yankees Chief Operating Officer for his 3000 hits during a pregame ceremony before the baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek) ORG XMIT: NYY121
Photo: Kathy Kmonicek
BALTIMORE, MD – OCTOBER 04: Manager Joe Girardi #28 of the New York Yankees looks on during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on October 4, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 538596369
Photo: Mitchell Layton
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 01: Alex Rodriguez #13 of the New York Yankees celebrates the 4-1 win against the Boston Red Sox and their wildcard playoff berth after their game at Yankee Stadium on October 1, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** ORG XMIT: 538596117
Photo: Al Bello
The beginning of the baseball playoffs also marks the beginning of a popular scam season. With both the New York Mets and New York Yankees in the Major League Baseball playoffs, eager ticket-buyers may become prime pickings for scammers.
“New Yorkers have much to be excited about with both the Mets and the Yankees in the playoffs,” Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman said in a consumer alert. “Fans should follow a few simple steps to avoid falling victim to scammers who may target ticket buyers for the big games.Scammers often target sports events, Schneiderman said. After the New York Superbowl in 2014, law enforcement officials seized hundreds of fake tickets and tens of millions of dollars in counterfeit merchandise. Scammers are also known to sell home-printed tickets to multiple buyers or to sell tickets that have already been resold online.
Schneiderman said consumers should first check official websites for ticket sales. Consumers should be wary of high-pressure sales tactics, should verify tickets are legitimate and should ask for proof of purchase. Paying by credit or Paypal allows consumers to dispute charges and is preferable to paying in cash, wire transfer or pre-paid money transfer. Finally, if the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
If consumers buy from a ticket broker, Schneiderman said it is best to buy from licensed brokers. Tickets from reputable brokers may be expensive, but they come with added protections. Some brokers provide replacement tickets or full refunds if tickets turn out to be fake. Consumers can check a broker’s reputation through the Better Business Bureau and consumer complaint sites.
New Yorkers who believe they are a victim of a scam can contact Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s Consumer Frauds Bureau by calling 1-800-771-7755.
