Eden Prairie, MN(January 9, 2017)** – The Minnesota Vikings, in partnership with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) and Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota (BBB), remind fans to be aware of counterfeit or fraudulent tickets circulating prior to Sunday's Division Playoff game against the New Orleans Saints. These tickets are typically sold over the Internet or offered by ticket sellers near U.S. Bank Stadium on game days.
Because of the Vikings ticket-scanning process, if a fan purchases a counterfeit ticket, he/she may not be able to access the stadium and could be subject to an investigation. If a person is already in the stadium and is caught in possession of a fraudulent ticket, he/she will be ejected and could be subject to arrest.
The only authorized outlets for Vikings tickets are the Vikings Ticket Office, Ticketmaster and the NFL TicketExchange. Purchasing tickets from any other source is done at the buyer's risk and ticket selling on U.S. Bank Stadium property is illegal.
The Vikings, the MPD and the BBB offer fans the following tips:
On Game Day:
• Always check with the Vikings Ticket Office to see if tickets are available via visiting team and fan returns.
• The Vikings have two types of authorized tickets: digital tickets accessible through the Vikings mobile app or printed (8.5" x 11") PDF tickets. Do NOT purchase any Vikings tickets sold on hard ticket stock.
• Take your time. Scrutinize the tickets closely for inaccuracies or alterations. Cross-check the seat assignment and prices with a stadium map found on the Vikings mobile app.
• Ask the seller to take a photo with their valid ID prior to the transaction. Ask him/her to walk to the stadium gates with you to ensure the tickets are scanned. If they refuse, move on.
Buying Tickets Online
• Only the Vikings Ticket Office, Ticketmaster and the NFL TicketExchange can guarantee the ticket you purchase online will be valid to attend the event.
• When searching for tickets through online brokers on the secondary market, always look for the BBB Online seal and click on the link to ensure that it is valid. Research the company at bbb.org and be clear on the company's policy if tickets purchased through the site are fake or not as advertised.
• When buying from an individual through an online exchange don't be lured away from the web site by the seller. Even if you met the seller on the exchange web site, the company may not guarantee any lost money if a transaction occurs outside its domain. If you buy tickets through an online auction, choose a seller with a long, continuous history of satisfied customers. Scammers can hijack old accounts, so make sure they have recently bought or sold other items.
• Only pay with a credit card or through PayPal, which offers some protection and potential reimbursement. Never pay with a cashier's check, gift cards or wire money to a seller; you'll have no way to retrieve your money if the tickets do not arrive.
