BRIDGEPORT — Fans attending Chicago White Sox games have been hit with fraudulent parking charges that far exceed the posted $35 rate. Between August 2025 and July 2026, police records obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request document at least ten separate incidents in which scammers, dressed in yellow reflective vests and White Sox hats, approached drivers outside Lot L and other nearby lots, collected credit or debit cards, and later processed charges ranging from $3,000 to $5,040.
How the scams unfolded
Victims describe being stopped within 50 feet of the official parking areas, handed a card scanner that looked identical to the team’s legitimate equipment, and told the transaction would cover the $35 fee. In one case, a fan headed to a July 27 game against the Yankees handed his card to the impostor, only to discover a $5,040 charge on his statement. He cancelled the card and received a refund within a day, but missed the first two innings while on hold with his bank.
Other reports detail similar encounters: a 51‑year‑old Indiana man was charged $3,000 after a “parking attendant” in a White Sox hat took his debit card; a 27‑year‑old Chicago resident was scanned with a smartphone and later saw a pending $3,000 charge; and a woman in an orange vest was tapped on a monitor and later found a $3,000 withdrawal from her Chase account.
Police response and White Sox reaction
All of the police reports are classified as “suspended,” meaning investigations will only resume if new information emerges. No arrests have been made. The Chicago Police Department has not provided a timeline for further action, and some victims report difficulty reaching officers after filing reports.
The White Sox organization expressed “extreme frustration” that fans are being targeted and said it is working with the police and stadium security to stop the fraud. A team spokesperson emphasized the importance of the fan experience, urging patrons to use pre‑paid parking options and to avoid conducting any parking transaction outside official Sox lots.
What fans can do
Fans who suspect they have been scammed should immediately contact their credit‑card issuer, alert stadium security or guest‑relations, and file a police report. The team advises against paying for parking with a card in the street and recommends purchasing pre‑paid tickets through the official White Sox website or app, which are typically cheaper than on‑site rates.
While the incidents appear to be isolated to the area around Rate Field, the pattern suggests a “regular occurrence” at the Lot L location. Community members are urged to stay vigilant, watch for anyone in unofficial uniforms, and report suspicious activity to both stadium staff and law‑enforcement.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
