With the big game this weekend, scam ticket listings are flooding Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.
Common patterns:
- Tickets priced 30-50% below face value
- Seller claims they "can't go anymore" — sick, work conflict, etc.
- They send screenshots of tickets that look real but are duplicated
- Payment via Venmo/Zelle/CashApp (no buyer protection)
- At the gate, the barcode won't scan — someone else already used it
How to buy safely:
- StubHub, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster resale have buyer guarantees
- If buying peer-to-peer, meet at the venue and walk in together
- Verify the barcode with the venue box office before paying
- Use PayPal Goods & Services (has buyer protection) not Venmo
What duplicate tickets look like:
- The screenshot is real — from a real ticket
- But the seller sold the same screenshot to 5+ people
- First person to scan it gets in. Everyone else is out their money.
Source: BBB DFW, AT&T Stadium box office warnings
I see this every single major event. Don't let excitement make you skip safety steps.