WASHINGTON — D.C. police are asking fans to keep a lookout for ticketing scams as the week of events around the All-Star Game begins.
The events around the All-Star Game are expected to generate a $70 million boost to the city’s economy, according to D.C. leaders. And D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham said fans need to ensure ticket scammers don’t make a dime.
“For folks who are out there buying tickets from any of the events — make sure they do it from a trusted source,” Newsham said Friday on WTOP.
Undercover officers will be monitoring ticket sales around the All-Star week events, including the game Tuesday night, Newsham said. But, he warns that fans should watch out for fake tickets online from unofficial sellers.
“We don’t want anyone to get taken advantage of during what’s supposed to be a fun time,” Newsham said.
D.C. police are offering tips on how to spot fake tickets, which are often printed on low-quality paper and may have image inconsistencies even though they are made to look like the real thing.
D.C. police also suggest that fans ask for a receipt before buying a ticket.
If the seller genuinely bought it firsthand, this shouldn’t be a problem to provide, police said. If the seller comes up with an excuse to avoid providing a receipt, prospective buyers can check the serial number or bar code with the original distributor before making the purchase.
Here are more ticket-buying tips:
- Only buy verified tickets from sites such as Ticketmaster, not third-party sites.
- The venue is more likely to help you with any issues if it’s a verified ticket.
- Buy tickets using a credit card so you can dispute the charges if needed.
- You have a better shot of scoring better seats if you purchase tickets at the box office
when they first go on sale. - You can also try to purchase tickets online while standing in line at the box office to
improve your chances. - Always check with the box office for any tickets still available the day of an event, even if people say it’s sold out.
D.C. police said Friday there are no reports of fraudulent tickets yet.
Anyone suspicious of a vendor or outlet can call the Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit at 202-727-4159 or email them at mpd.fraud-unit@dc.gov.
