Mechele Agbayani Mills

The NCAA Tournament is in full swing, and fans across the country are ferociously seeking out the best deals in hopes of scoring cheap tickets to watch their team play. However, it’s important to remember that sporting events can often leave some fans disappointed, as they become ideal targets for ticket scammers. Last year, more than 300 ticket scams were reported to the Better Business Bureau’s BBB Scam Tracker. The BBB and the National Association of Ticket Brokers, a BBB national partner, are working to raise awareness and educate fans about the smartest ways to buy tickets on the secondary resale market.

There are countless options for consumers to find tickets from ticket sellers and resellers. Unfortunately, some vendors want nothing more than to take your money and run, so it’s important to make sure tickets are purchased from a trustworthy source.

The BBB offers these tips if you’re looking for tickets to a game or any other event:

— Buy only from trusted vendors. Before purchasing tickets, go to bbb.org to review the company’s track record. Check to see if they are a member of the National Association of Ticket Brokers. (NATB members offer a 200 percent purchase guarantee on tickets). When purchasing online, look for the lock symbol in the web address to indicate a secure purchasing system. One common trick is to create a web address that is similar to a well-known company.

— Purchase from the venue. Whenever possible, use the official ticket sales agent for the venue. Many now offer secondary sales options as well.

— Consider your source. Know the difference between a professional ticket broker (a legitimate and accredited reseller), a ticket scalper (an unregulated and unlicensed ticket seller) and a scammer selling fraudulent tickets.

— Know the refund policy. You should only purchase tickets from a ticket reseller that provides clear details about the terms of the transaction. Sellers should disclose to the purchaser, prior to purchase, the location of the seats represented by the tickets, either orally or by reference to a seating chart. If the tickets are not available for immediate access to the purchaser, disclose when the tickets will ship or be available for pickup.

— Use payment methods that come with protection. Always use a credit card so you have some recourse if the tickets are not as promised. Debit cards, wire transfer or cash transactions are risky; if the tickets are fraudulent, you won’t be able to get your money back.

— Verify your tickets. Pay a visit to the arena where the event will be held. Present your ticket to “Will Call” (customer service) and they can verify if your ticket is legitimate.

For more tips on how to be a savvy consumer, go to bbb.org. To report fraudulent activity or unscrupulous business practices, call the BBB at 903-581-5704 or use BBB ScamTracker.