LANSING, Mich — Detroit is set to host the 2024 NFL Draft this weekend and Michigan's attorney general is warning fans of ticket scams ahead of the event.
Downtown Detroit will be taken over by the NFL Draft from April 25 through April 27.
General admission tickets for the NFL Draft are free and can be picked up via the NFL One Pass app or the Draft website. There are also lots of events throughout the downtown that are free to attend. Some VIP tickets are also for sale that do cost money.
“Unsuspecting fans could pay money for a ticket that was otherwise free or spend hundreds, or even thousands, on what turns out to be a phony screenshot of a ticket that doesn't exist or has previously been sold,” Nessel said. “If you’re buying tickets for the NFL Draft, make sure the tickets you pay for aren’t available for free through the app, or that you’re using a trusted site to purchase authentic tickets which will actually get you into the VIP amenities.”
Nessel warns that scammers will be out trying to take your money through the sale and purchase of tickets.
The attorney general has some tips to protect consumers when buying tickets online.
- Know the vendor: Consumers are encouraged to make sure they are buying from a reputable website, especially before providing any personal financial information. Anyone can set up a "spoof" website with a web address that is similar to the legitimate ticket seller's address. Aside from potential licensing and trademark violations, "spoof" websites may offer consumers overpriced or counterfeit tickets and expose the consumer to identity theft.
- Conduct research: Consumers unfamiliar with a particular ticket vendor can call the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team at 877-765-8388 and ask if we have any complaints on file regarding that seller. Remember, however, that the absence of filed complaints does not guarantee a seller's legitimacy; it simply means that the Consumer Protection Team has not received any complaints concerning the vendor. As an additional resource, consumers can research the ticket seller on the Better Business Bureau's national website.
- Use credit: If purchasing tickets online, especially via an online auction site, it is recommended that consumers complete their transaction using a credit card. Purchasing tickets with a credit card often provides consumers with protections that they would not otherwise have if they purchased the tickets using cash, check, or apps like Venmo and Cash App. Added protections with credit include the ability to dispute a charge if an event is canceled, or if they receive counterfeit tickets that a venue refuses to honor. Try to choose sellers with long histories of satisfied customers, and make sure the online bid amount is listed in American dollars.
- Shop securely: If a website begins with "https," the "s" indicates that the website is "secure." Typically, the "s" will not appear in the web address until consumers access the order page of the site where they are asked to enter their personal information. Another indicator of a secure website is a graphic of a closed lock located at the bottom of the screen. Secure websites take precautions to ensure that others cannot see and copy the personal information consumers provide.
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