March Madness betting, ticket scams targeting college basketball tournament fans
CHICAGO (WLS) – The ABC7 I-Team is issuing a March Madness scam warning. Whether you’re placing bets on your favorite college basketball team or trying to buy tickets to a game, it’s important to be cautious before spending money or clicking on any links.
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Security experts at TrustedSec report that several scams are targeting people following the tournament this season. One common scam involves fake ticket sales. Scammers often sell screenshots of tickets, which won’t scan properly when you arrive at the gate. To avoid this, only purchase tickets through verified sellers and request an official “mobile ticket transfer,” which securely sends the ticket from one account to another.
Be especially wary of bargain tickets or sellers requesting wire transfers, as these are common red flags for fraud.
Another scam to watch out for involves bogus bracket challenges. Alex Hamerstone of TrustedSec explains, “When it comes to brackets and online, there’s a lot of fake brackets out there. You may get an email or some kind of contact on social media asking you to join a bracket. It may look like a legitimate site—what we are all used to—but it’s actually a fake site trying to get your information and payment card data.”
Additionally, some brackets may never pay out winnings. Hamerstone warns, “You may join it, send your money in, and never see a penny.”
Tips to protect yourself:
- Only buy tickets from authorized sellers and use official mobile ticket transfers.
- Be cautious of bracket challenges that require payment and promise large payouts.
- Ignore unsolicited messages or texts offering betting deals or discounted game tickets.
Stay vigilant to enjoy March Madness without falling victim to scams.
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