MADISON, Wis. — As Wisconsin sports fans gear up to support the Brew Crew during their postseason run, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) is advising consumers to exercise caution when purchasing tickets. High demand for playoff games and sold-out events routinely creates opportunities for scammers pitching fake or counterfeit tickets.
“When there is demand for playoff tickets, scammers come out of the woodwork to rip off excited sports fans,” said Secretary Randy Romanski. “Be skeptical of too-good-to-be-true offers, sellers offering ticket printouts or photocopies, and requests to pay by wire transfer or pre-paid debit card.”
DATCP urges consumers to follow these key verification and safety guidelines before buying tickets:
1. Choose Reputable and Official Sources
- Start at the Primary Source: Always buy directly from the venue, team website, or official primary box office. For Milwaukee Brewers postseason tickets, official primary channels include:
- Online at brewers.com/postseason
- By phone via the Brewers ticket office at (414) 902-4000
- Via the official MLB Ballpark app on your smartphone
- Use Trusted Resale Marketplaces: If buying secondhand, use established platforms with built-in buyer guarantees. SeatGeek serves as the official MLB fan resale marketplace.
- Designated Stadium Resale Zones: At American Family Field, a designated “Ticket Resale Zone” is located adjacent to Helfaer Field. Reselling tickets outside of designated areas is strictly prohibited.
- Watch for Hidden Fees: Third-party resale sites often inflate prices well above face value. Always review the full fee breakdown before completing checkout.
2. Protect Your Payment Method
- Always Use a Credit Card: Credit cards offer federal fraud protection and formal dispute mechanisms for unauthorized or fraudulent charges.
- Use Escrow Services for Peer-to-Peer Transactions: If purchasing from an independent seller outside a formal marketplace, insist on escrow payment protections. Walk away if a seller refuses or asks to bypass payment protections.
3. Properly Verify Digital Tickets & Security
- Insist on In-App Transfers: Avoid static PDF attachments, scanned print-outs, or screenshots of barcodes. Official digital tickets for major sporting events transfer directly through official applications, such as the MLB Ballpark app.
- Check Website URLs & Secure Your Account: Verify that website addresses begin with https:// and check for misspellings or lookalike domains. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on ticketing and email accounts.
4. Be Ready to Recognize and Avoid Common Red Flags
- “Too-Good-To-Be-True” Prices: High-demand, sold-out, or front-row seats offered drastically below market value are almost always fraudulent.
- Social Media & Classified Ads: Exercise extreme caution on Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, X, or Craigslist. Scammers frequently hack legitimate accounts or pose as acquaintances. If a friend appears to be selling tickets, call or text them directly to verify.
- High-Pressure Tactics: Beware of sellers creating artificial urgency (“Pay right now, only two left!”) to force a quick decision.
- Unsecure payment methods: Avoid using cash, debit cards, wire transfers, store/gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer apps like Cash App or Venmo.
What to Do If You Have Been Scammed
- Contact Your Payment Provider: Reach out to the selling platform immediately and file a dispute with your credit card provider or financial institution.
- File a Consumer Complaint: Contact the DATCP Bureau of Consumer Protection online at wi.gov or datcp.wi.gov, email datcphotline@wi.gov, or call the Consumer Information Hotline at (800) 422-7128.
- Report to Law Enforcement: Notify your local police department.
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