West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey urges football fans to be cautious when buying tickets from individuals and third-party resellers this season.
Policies at West Virginia University and Marshall University prohibit the resale and scalping of tickets on university property. Anyone violating the policy can be asked to leave campus.
“West Virginians love college football,” Morrisey said. “I share that passion, but encourage all consumers to be careful when buying tickets. Unscrupulous scalpers think only of themselves and will use deceptive tactics to prey upon your interest in attending the game.”
The Attorney General urges fans to purchase tickets from the respective university’s ticket office. Doing so supports the university and ensures the legitimacy of the fan’s ticket.
Those choosing another route should double check their ticket and remember that an unbelievably good deal may be just that – too good to be true.
Other tips include the following:
• RELIABLE VENDOR: Be sure your seller is trustworthy. Seek reviews from friends and family or check to see if the third-party vendor is a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers. Its members adhere to a code of ethics that offer basic consumer protections.
• IDENTITY THEFT: Ensure the website of any online vendor has the appropriate safeguards to prevent hacking. For instance, the “s” in “https://” signifies a secure connection.
• FEES: Read the fine print and check for any additional fees.
• CREDIT CARDS: Payment with a credit card provides the consumer greater ability to dispute any unfair or unauthorized charges.
Anyone falling victim to a ticket scam can report the incident to the respective university and/or call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-368-8808 or file a complaint online at www.wvago.gov.
