Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel urged Detroit Pistons fans on May 4 to be cautious when purchasing playoff tickets online, warning of potential scams targeting excited buyers and sellers. The announcement comes as the Pistons advance to the second round of the playoffs, increasing demand for tickets.
Nessel said that scammers often take advantage of major sporting events by exploiting fans’ eagerness to attend games. “After a thrilling first round, Pistons fans shouldn’t let their excitement be exploited by bad actors,” said Attorney General Nessel. “Do your research before purchasing and use reputable websites to ensure your tickets are legitimate.”
The Attorney General’s office highlighted two common schemes: payment app scams and fake check scams. Payment app scams involve peer-to-peer money transfer services such as Apple Pay, Cash App, Google Pay, PayPal, Zelle, and Venmo. In these cases, scammers may impersonate banks or merchants in order to gain access to sensitive information or trick users into sending money under false pretenses.
For those selling legitimate tickets online, fake check scams pose another risk. A buyer might send a check for more than the agreed price and request a refund of the difference; however, these checks are counterfeit and can leave sellers responsible for lost funds and bank fees once they bounce.
To protect themselves, consumers are advised to buy from reputable vendors only after verifying their legitimacy—such as researching them on the Better Business Bureau’s website—and use credit cards for additional protections like charge disputes if an event is canceled or tickets turn out counterfeit. Secure websites should begin with “https” or display a closed lock icon on order pages where personal information is entered.
Anyone who suspects they have been scammed or has concerns about an online ticket purchase can contact the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team via mail at P.O. Box 30213 in Lansing; fax at 517-241-3771; toll-free phone at 877-765-8388; or through their online complaint form.
