Super Bowl Ticket Scams 2026: How to Buy Tickets Safely
Key Takeaways
- The same ticket can be sold to multiple buyers. Only the first person to scan gets in. PDFs and screenshots prove nothing.
- 'Face value' is bait. Nobody sells sold-out event tickets at a loss.
- Real tickets transfer through apps, not files. When tickets transfer through Ticketmaster, the seller's copy is invalidated. A PDF means they kept a copy.
- Zelle doesn't cover scams. Venmo only does if you tag the payment as a purchase. Scammers will tell you not to tag it - that's the red flag.
- The scam always moves off-platform. 'DM me' or 'let's take this to text' is where accountability ends.
AI is changing the game - and not just the one at Levi's Stadium. Scam messages now arrive without the typos that used to give them away. Fake ticket sites get built in minutes. Seller personas are polished enough to survive a conversation. The old 'if it looks sketchy, it is' rule doesn't work when nothing looks sketchy anymore.
This guide covers how to verify tickets before you pay, what to do if you already got scammed, and where Guardio fits in.
If You Already Paid
Credit card: Call your issuer. Dispute the charge as fraud. Keep screenshots of the listing, messages, and any files the seller sent.
Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo without purchase tag: These payments typically can't be recovered. File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and report the seller's account on the payment platform. If you used Venmo with the purchase tag enabled, file a dispute through the app.
At the venue with tickets that don't scan: Get written documentation from security. You'll need it for disputes.
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Verification Checklist
Use this before paying anyone for tickets.
| Question | Red flag |
|---|---|
| Will they transfer through Ticketmaster or the venue's official app? | No, or excuses |
| How do they want to be paid? | Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, wire, gift cards, crypto |
| Is the price at or below face value for a sold-out event? | Yes - this is uncommon enough to warrant extra verification |
| Are they pressuring you to decide quickly? | "Other buyers interested," "need to know today" |
| Did you click a link or ad to reach the ticket site? | Yes |
One red flag means slow down. Multiple red flags means walk away.
Why App Transfers Matter
When tickets transfer through Ticketmaster or the venue's official app, the seller's copy is deactivated. They can't use it or sell it again.
When you receive a PDF, screenshot, or barcode image, the seller still has the file. They can send it to multiple buyers. At the gate, only the first scan works. Everyone else gets turned away.
App transfers are the strongest protection available for person-to-person sales. If the seller refuses when app transfer is an option, that refusal needs a very good explanation.
The Scams
Face value on social media
Someone posts: tickets at face value, can't go, DM if interested. Friendly seller, believable story, wants Zelle or Venmo. Sends a PDF after payment.
The PDF is fake, or it's real but being sold to multiple buyers.
Lookalike ticket sites
A website that looks like Ticketmaster or an official NFL page. Professional design, working checkout. The URL is slightly off - extra words, hyphens, wrong domain.
The site is fake. Tickets don't exist. Your payment info gets stolen.
Duplicate tickets
The seller has a real ticket. Shows you the barcode, maybe screenshares. You verify it exists. You pay. They send the file.
They sell the same file to five other people. First scan wins.
Upfront fees
Seller asks for a "verification fee" or "transfer fee" before sending tickets.
Legitimate sales don't require fees paid directly to the seller.
Where to Buy
| Source | Buyer protection |
|---|---|
| NFL On Location | Yes |
| Ticketmaster Verified Resale | Yes |
| StubHub | Yes |
| SeatGeek | Yes |
| Venue box office | Verify in person |
| Facebook Marketplace | No |
| Craigslist | No |
| Twitter/Instagram DMs | No |
Payment Methods
| Method | Disputable |
|---|---|
| Credit card (official site) | Yes |
| PayPal Goods & Services | Yes |
| Debit card | Sometimes |
| PayPal Friends & Family | No |
| Zelle | No |
| Venmo (tagged as purchase) | Yes - but seller pays 2.99% fee |
| Venmo (regular payment) | No |
| Cash App | No - only unauthorized charges covered |
| Wire transfer | No |
| Gift cards | No |
| Crypto | No |
Scammers push payment methods that can't be reversed. If a seller asks you NOT to tag a Venmo payment as a purchase, that's a red flag - they're avoiding the fee because they don't plan to deliver.
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What Guardio Does
Guardio protects you across desktop browsers, mobile, and email.
On desktop (Chrome and Edge): Guardio checks sites as you browse. Lookalike domains, suspicious checkout redirects, and newly created scam sites get flagged before you enter payment information.
On mobile (iOS and Android): The Guardio app extends protection to mobile browsers. On iOS, it also filters SMS messages, catching scam texts that try to send you to fake ticket sites.
Email monitoring: Guardio watches your email accounts for phishing attempts, leaked credentials, and account risks across devices.
Guardio uses AI to detect scam patterns, including sites that haven't been widely reported yet. This matters for ticket scams because fake sites appear days before events and disappear after.
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Report Ticket Scams
- FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- BBB Scam Tracker
- Report the seller on the platform where you found them
Summary
- Transfer through the official app when possible - the seller's copy gets deactivated
- PDFs and screenshots can be sold to multiple buyers - first scan wins
- Payment method determines whether you can dispute - if you can't dispute, you probably can't recover
- Face value for sold-out events is possible but uncommon - verify more, not less
- If you already paid and something's wrong, act immediately - instructions are at the top of this article
FAQs
What is the safest way to buy tickets online?
Buy through official sources or reputable resale platforms, verify the domain, and use payment methods with dispute options.
Are ticket deals in DMs safe?
Be cautious. Scammers often use DMs to pressure fast payment. Verify the seller and prefer trusted platforms.
What payment methods should I avoid for tickets?
Avoid gift cards, wire transfers, and crypto when buying from unknown sellers.
What if I already paid and the tickets look fake?
Contact your payment provider immediately, document everything, and report the fraud.
How do lookalike ticket sites trick people?
They use domains that resemble real platforms and push urgency to get you to pay before you verify.
How can Guardio help?
Guardio can warn you about suspicious links and lookalike sites before you pay.
