As the World Cup continues, experts are warning soccer fans to be cautious of scams targeting desperate fans. With FIFA charging record ticket prices, some games are sold out, but plenty more have seats remaining. However, scammers are taking advantage of the high demand, using tactics such as pressure phrases like “lots of interest” or “I need to sell right now” to push people into making hasty decisions.

Avoiding Scams

To avoid getting scammed, fans should first go to the official FIFA website for direct or secondhand sales. Resale tickets are also available on established third-party sites like StubHub and SeatGeek, though FIFA warns that buying outside official channels risks fake or invalid tickets, or inflated prices. Additionally, fans should be wary of social media posts offering last-minute tickets at good prices, as these may be scams.

Experts also warn that scammers are using artificial intelligence to create realistic messages, polished online storefronts, and convincing fake endorsements and promotions. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has warned fans that fraudsters use social media posts to funnel people to scam websites, where they advertise fake tickets or sell the same seat to many people.

Protecting Yourself

To protect themselves, fans should type the official FIFA website directly into their browser’s address bar instead of using a search engine. They should also avoid clicking on sponsored search results, which could be “paid imitators” trying to divert online traffic. Furthermore, fans should be cautious of copycat FIFA sites, which may trick people into providing personal details or sell fake tickets or hospitality packages.

The FBI has warned of spoof FIFA websites, listing three dozen examples of such sites. The bureau advises fans to be cautious of sites that ask for personal details or payment information, and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.