According to the Better Business Bureau, tickets are one of the top online purchase scams. It’s especially high right now as people are eager to attend the NFL Draft in Arlington at AT&T Stadium.
“These scammers are becoming more and more sophisticated,” said Phylissia Clark, VP of Public Relations and Communications with the BBB. She said the internet-savvy generation is being targeted.
With NFL Draft tickets sold out by the vendor, the only way to purchase it is risky. Clark said there are still ways to protect yourself by going through credible sites, vetting the seller, and making sure your payment method has fraud protection.
A recent-graduate in Florida is a victim of ticket scams. He and his best friend booked flights to Texas as soon as they found out the draft was in Arlington. Carl Agnone put up a “wanted” listing on Craigslist to search for draft tickets.
Agnone said a man quickly replied. With back and forth texts and phone calls about the process, Agnone felt like this was an honest seller. He made a payment on Google Wallet and never heard from the seller again. “His phone goes straight to voicemail. His mailbox is full and that is the last I heard of it,” he said.
He’s made several secondhand ticket purchases in the past, but Agnone said this is the first time he’s been scammed. He wants to get the word out there and warn others to be cautious.
He and his best friend are still coming to Arlington for the NFL Draft and will make the most of their trip even without access to AT&T Stadium.