BBB warns basketball fans who want to follow the University of Louisville or Kentucky Wildcats along the road to the NCAA Final Four should use caution in order to avoid con artists when buying tickets and travel packages.

Fans could find it difficult to get tickets, and may be tempted by the secondary market, where tickets always pop up. The BBB warns fans to be careful if buying tickets from individuals online or from unfamiliar sources. If buying tickets from a brokerage, check the company’s BBB reliability report. If people buy from scalpers, or from individuals through classified ads or on the internet, BBB warns they are taking a big chance.  The tickets could turn out fake, and there isn’t anything a fan can do about it.

BBB also warns to be sure you are getting what you pay for when it comes to travel packages throughout the tournament. Check out the travel planner with the BBB. Be sure to verify reservations made in your name so that there are no surprises when you arrive. Find out what the cancellation or refund policies are in case you cannot go.

The BBB has these tips for fans who want to follow the teams:

• Use secure websites for online transactions. When buying tickets or making hotel and travel reservations on line, look for a padlock on the page, and the letter “s” in the URL (web address box) after the “http.” Example: https://www.xyz.com. Unsecure sites will only show http://… If neither is present, the site is not secure and your credit card or bank account information may not be safe.

• If buying online, beware of sellers leading you away from secure, reliable transaction methods such as PayPal or those who discourage using credit cards. If you use a credit card and something goes wrong, you can try to dispute the charge with the credit card provider. Beware of sellers that want you to wire money via Western Union – there is no way to trace the cash if something goes wrong.

• Buy at your own risk. You are better off buying from a reliable source. If you buy tickets from unfamiliar sources or scalpers, there is no guarantee that they will be legitimate. (Scalping laws vary from state to state.)

Remember, if a deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Check out companies with the BBB at www.bbb.org or call 1-800-388-2222.

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