As the Carolina Panthers begin their NFL Playoff run, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department would like to remind the public that purchasing game tickets from non-reputable sources can be a costly and unnecessary risk.  NFL playoff tickets are in high demand, which means opportunity exists for criminals to take advantage of fans wanting to participate in the game day experience.  Counterfeit ticketing is criminal behavior that often involves the exchange of large sums of cash.  The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department takes this offense seriously, but also faces challenges to locate, arrest, and prosecute offenders.  CMPD wants to ensure fans are able to enjoy their visit to Bank of America Stadium without falling victim to this type of fraud.

Things you can do to avoid being victimized:

• The single most important thing is to buy tickets from a reputable vendor. Ticketmaster is the only ticketing source authorized by the Carolina Panthers.  Do not purchase tickets from someone you do not know or from an online source that is not validated by the Carolina Panthers or the NFL.
• The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department does not recommend purchasing tickets from unknown individuals or other sources under any circumstances.

If you still want to risk buying from someone you do not know, you can take these steps:

• Ask the seller for identification and record his or her information.
• Write down where the seller is standing and any direction of travel.
• Write down a clothing description.
• Take a photo of the seller with your cell phone.
• Ask the seller to walk to the gate with you before you give any money.  Pay only after the tickets have been scanned and verified as valid.
• Check the Panther’s website to ensure that the section and row on the ticket is actually listed in the stadium seating.

Sellers may not always be aware that they are selling counterfeit tickets, so it would be beneficial to ask the origin of the tickets they are selling.  The game day experience should be pleasurable without unnecessary financial risks when purchasing tickets.  The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department wants to give everyone the necessary information to avoid becoming a victim of ticket fraud