By hawkeyesports.com

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa Police Department is urging Hawkeye fans to be aware of common ticket and merchandise scams. Saturday’s football season opener is sold out.

Most scams recently reported to law enforcement have occurred through social media sites and messaging platforms, such as GroupMe.

The excitement of Hawkeye athletics should never come at the expense of your hard-earned money or personal safety. Keep these tips in mind when purchasing tickets or Hawkeye merchandise to help avoid scams:

• Buy from official sources. Purchase tickets through the University of Iowa Athletics Ticket Office or the official ticket resale partner, StubHub. Tickets sold through StubHub for home games are verified, and purchases are backed by StubHub’s FanProtect® Guarantee.
• Be cautious of sales on social media and messaging apps. Avoid purchasing tickets or merchandise from individuals you do not know through social media platforms, messaging apps, or online marketplaces. Scammers often create fake profiles and use stolen or fraudulent photos to advertise tickets and merchandise that do not exist.
• Do not share sensitive information with strangers. Never share photos of your student ID, driver’s license, credit card, or other personal information, even if someone claims it is needed to verify your identity. This information could be used to steal your identity or facilitate additional scams.
• Know the warning signs of a scam. Scammers often ask for payment through unusual methods, such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. They may also request payment through peer-to-peer payment services and pressure you to act quickly before you have time to verify the legitimacy of the transaction.
• Check ticket prices. If you are not purchasing from an official source, research the typical price of tickets for the event you plan to attend. If a price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
• Meet in person and pay securely. When possible, arrange to meet in a public location to exchange tickets and payment. Bringing a friend can provide added security. You also may consider meeting near a law enforcement agency.
• Report suspected scams. If you believe you have been the victim of a ticket scam, report it to the University of Iowa Police Department at 319-335-5022. If possible, save the phone number, email address, screenshots, and any other information related to the transaction.