Toronto police are warning Toronto Blue Jays fans to remain vigilant when purchasing tickets to the upcoming World Series games as scammers may try to take advantage of eager fans.
“Major sporting events often attract scammers looking to exploit fan excitement and demand for tickets, merchandise, and accommodations,” the Toronto Police Service stated in a news release issued on Wednesday.
“Fraudsters may pose as legitimate ticket sellers on social media, classified websites, or fake ticketing platforms, offering tickets that are counterfeit, duplicated, or simply non-existent. Once payment is made, the seller often disappears, leaving fans without tickets and out of money.”
Police are asking fans to beware of “red flags,” including when they see prices that seem too good to be true or when sellers pressure people to make a purchase quickly.
Police also warned fans about unverified links shared over social media or email and requests for payment via e-transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards, making funds difficult to trace. Ticket purchasers are advised to always use a credit card as it offers more protection to dispute fraudulent chargers.
Officers stated that tickets should be purchased from trusted sources only, including the Blue Jays’ official website or authorized ticket partners such as MLB.com or Ticketmaster.
They also stated that people should avoid purchasing tickers on social media and stressed that ticket-buyers should verify website URLs.
Police are asking people to not share ticket images online as fraudsters could copy and sell them online.
Police are asking anyone who is a victim of these scams is to contact them or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
