Playoff Fever? Tips to Avoid Ticket Scams When Buying Detroit Lions Tickets

The Detroit Lions are heading to the playoffs and tickets are in high demand. That combination is exactly what scammers look for. When fans are excited and moving fast to secure seats at Ford Field, they are more likely to skip the verification steps that would normally catch a fraud. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued specific guidance to help Lions fans buy tickets safely. Here is what you need to know before you buy.

The Three Most Common Ticket Scams Right Now

Fake Tickets

Scammers sell screenshots of real tickets, digitally altered tickets, or outright counterfeit paper tickets that look convincing until you get to the gate. By then your money is gone and so is the seller. Always verify that a ticket can be transferred through the official platform before you pay.

Payment App Scams

Fraudsters pose as sellers or even as your bank, asking you to send payment through Venmo, Zelle, Cash App, or similar services. These apps are designed for fast peer-to-peer transfers. That speed works against you when the seller disappears the moment the money lands. Unlike credit cards, most payment apps offer little to no fraud protection once the transfer is complete.

Fake Check Scams

This one targets sellers, not buyers. A scammer contacts you to buy your legitimate tickets and sends a check for more than the asking price, asking you to refund the difference. The check looks real and may even clear initially. Days later it bounces and you are out both the money you refunded and the tickets you already handed over.

How to Protect Yourself

Stick to Reputable Ticket Platforms

Buy from the official NFL ticketing platform, Ticketmaster, or verified resale platforms with buyer protection policies. Scammers build spoofed websites that look nearly identical to legitimate sellers. Before you enter any payment information, double-check the URL in your browser and make sure it matches the official platform exactly.

Use a Credit Card

Pay with a credit card whenever possible. Credit cards give you the ability to dispute charges for counterfeit tickets or canceled events. Cash, checks, and payment apps offer almost no recourse once the money is gone. The PDCU Rewards Driven Visa gives you that fraud protection plus reward points on every purchase.

Look for HTTPS

Before entering your card number or personal information on any site, confirm the URL starts with https and shows a lock icon in your browser’s address bar. An unsecured site is not safe for payment information under any circumstances.

Research Before You Buy

If you are buying from an individual seller or an unfamiliar platform, check for complaints first. Contact the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team at 877-765-8388 or search the seller on the Better Business Bureau website. For more guidance read the Michigan AG’s Online Ticket Purchasing consumer alert.

Let’s Keep Ford Field Loud and Safe

The Lions’ playoff run is one of the most exciting things to happen to Michigan sports in years. Do not let a scammer be part of your story. Take two extra minutes to verify before you buy and you can focus entirely on what matters, cheering your team on.

Go Lions.

For more information on Ticket Scams and protecting yourself from online fraud, visit our fraud alerts page.