Group warns of Stanley Cup ticket scams

The Better Business Bureau wants Blackhawks fans to be cautious when buying Stanley Cup Finals tickets online.

Steve J. Bernas, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois, says fans should do research before buying playoff tickets online.

“Sports fans are often desperate to get tickets to the games, which can lead them in the wrong direction when purchasing tickets,” he said in a news release. “The most common way sports fans are getting scammed online is by either paying for counterfeit tickets or tickets that never arrive.”

Here are some tips from the Better Business Bureau that will help ensure a successful purchase:

Ÿ Check to make sure the broker is licensed.

Ÿ Avoid paying cash for tickets in person from a stranger.

Ÿ Never wire funds for payment.

Ÿ Deal only with brokers who provide clear details concerning the terms of the transaction.

Ÿ Check if the ticket broker is a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB) and review their rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Ÿ Visit websites to compare prices and ticket availability.

Ÿ Do not buy tickets from Internet sites that are not secure or lack a privacy policy.

Ÿ Verify the location of the seats on a seating chart provided by the venue.

Ÿ Pay with a credit card or another secure form of payment so you can dispute the charge with your credit issuer or bank.