As Super Bowl LVIII approaches on Feb. 9, the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is urging fans to remain vigilant against ticket scams that could leave them empty-handed on game day. With Super Bowl tickets typically distributed through NFL teams and authorized resellers—rather than being sold directly to the public—fraudsters often take advantage of eager fans by posing as legitimate sellers.
How to Avoid Super Bowl Ticket Scams
Buy from official resellers – Stick to verified ticket sources listed on the official NFL website. Be wary of fake resale websites that mimic legitimate platforms. Double-check URLs for authenticity.
• Beware of fake tickets – Scammers frequently list nonexistent tickets on social media, fake websites, and online marketplaces such as Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. Never send payments outside of official ticketing platforms.
• Understand mobile ticketing – This year’s Super Bowl tickets are digital-only, with barcodes that refresh every few seconds for security. Sellers offering PDFs, screenshots, or paper tickets are likely fraudulent.
• Verify the seller – Use VerifiedTicketSource.com to check if a seller is a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers, which guarantees legitimate resale tickets.
• Be cautious of low prices – If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often use enticingly low prices to pressure buyers into quick, irreversible transactions.
• Pay with a credit card – Credit cards provide better fraud protection than debit cards, payment apps, or cash, which are harder to trace and recover in case of fraud.
• Know your rights for streaming services – If you opt to watch the game via a free trial streaming service, be aware of cancellation policies. New York law requires businesses to disclose cancellation procedures before consumers sign up.
New York’s Consumer Protection Efforts
The Division of Consumer Protection offers voluntary mediation between consumers and businesses when disputes arise. New Yorkers can report scams or seek assistance by calling the Consumer Assistance Helpline at 1-800-697-1220 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. –4:30 p.m. excluding holidays) or filing complaints at dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.
