SCAM ALERT: Fake Basketball Tickets

"Chances are you've already busted your bracket, don't let cheats and scammers steal your hard-earned money too," said Attorney General Mark Brnovich.

"It happens at every major sporting event, a fan is left empty-handed after showing up to a game with a bogus ticket."

In addition to counterfeit tickets, scammers can potentially sell home-printed tickets to multiple consumers or sell original tickets that have been voided because they have already been re-sold via online ticket re-selling websites.

AG Brnovich offers the following tips to avoid ticket scams:

• Buy tickets from a trusted vendor - such as NCAA.com, PrimeSport at NCAA.com/VIP, or NCAA Ticket Exchange.
• Do not pay for tickets with cash, wire transfer, or pre-paid money transfer. If the tickets turn out to be fake, it is highly unlikely you will get your money back. If you pay by credit card and the tickets turn out to be fake, you can dispute the charge.
• Be wary of purchasing tickets from someone you don't know on craigslist, eBay, or other similar person-to-person marketplace or auction sites. These types of transactions are not protected by the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act.
• Be wary of advertisements with ridiculously low prices. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Anyone who believes they are the victim of a scam should file a consumer complaint with the Arizona Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6504, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at 1(800) 352-8431. Consumers can also file complaints online by visiting the Arizona Attorney General’s website.