Looking for tickets but worried you’ll get stuck with fakes? Washington’s Attorney General has a few tips to make sure the tickets you buy are more than expensive wallet ornaments.

• Buy direct from the venue, which can guarantee the ticket you purchase online will be valid to attend the event.
• If you buy tickets through an online auction, choose a seller with a long, continuous history of satisfied customers. Scammers can hijack old accounts, so make sure they have recently bought or sold other items.
• When buying from an individual through an online exchange don’t be lured away from the Web site by the seller. Even if you met the seller on the exchange Web site, the company may not guarantee any lost money if a transaction occurs outside their domain.
• Never pay with a cashier’s check or wire money to a seller. Instead, use a credit card or PayPal, which offer some protection and potential reimbursement.
• Scrutinize photos of the tickets closely for any inaccuracies or alterations, and cross-check the seat assignment with the map on the venue’s Web site.

The advice holds true for any tickets. If you are buying in person, you can also paw the tickets to make sure they have the right feel, and ask the seller walk you to the entrance.

Beware of phony football tickets [All Consuming]
BBB Advises College Football Fans: Be Smart When Buying Bowl Tickets Online [BBB]
(Photo: veganstraightedge)

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