BOISE, Idaho — Super Bowl 54 is just around the corner, and if you're planning on buying new gear to support San Francisco or Kansas City, you'll want to watch out for scammers.
The Better Business Bureau says whether you're a 49ers or Chiefs supporter, scammers are targeting any and all sports fans. BBB has received several reports throughout the years of scam websites that are conning people out of their money. Based on BBB Scam Tracker reports, the sites often display great photos, low prices, and fast shipping. They look legitimate, often claiming to be an authorized retailer of the NFL. After you place your order, you get a confirmation email and your account is charged. It all seems fine until weeks pass (even the Super Bowl might pass!) without your new game day jersey in hand.
Consumers say the frustrating part comes when they go back to their confirmation email and try to get in contact with customer service. There often is no number to call and the website has been deactivated. If you by chance receive an email response, they often are in poor English, offering various reasons as to why a purchase still hasn’t shipped. In most cases, they never do. In the few cases where the item eventually does show up, the quality is less than acceptable with one report stating the logo on the front was poorly sewn on and the logos on the shoulders were facing different directions.
These deals can be enticing but the best way to avoid losing your money is to be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. If the price of an item is significantly less than what it is on other well-known sites, this is a red flag that indicates a possible scam.
Take the time to research companies you haven’t dealt with before. Check to see if they have a BBB Business Profile or the BBB Scam Tracker to see if anyone else has reported them as a scam. BBB also suggests using a credit card. Credit card companies often have more protections than a debit card and will not give scammers a direct line to your cash.
For more resources to protect your money and identity, click here.
