Since the start of the Badger Football season, the UW-Madison Police Department has received an increase in reports of online ticket scams, particularly targeting students and student tickets.
The scams are similar in nature: a seller poses as a UW student and makes an online post offering tickets for sale. A real UW student replies. In some cases, the seller will ask for a photo of the buyer’s student ID, saying they want to make sure they’re a student. The real student shares a copy of their ID, and now the buyer uses that as proof to other potential buyers that they’re a real UW-Madison student. A transaction occurs — usually on CashApp or Zelle — you never receive the tickets, the buyer ghosts you, and your money is gone.
Here are some things to consider if you choose to purchase tickets from an unknown seller:
- Use payment apps that offer secure purchasing options. Apps like Venmo and PayPal provide an option to identify the transaction as a purchase. That designation can offer added protection if you don’t receive the ticket(s) you purchased. If the seller refuses to use an App like Venmo or PayPal and insists on one specific app for payment, move along as it’s likely a scam.
- Whenever possible, do the transaction in person. Ask to meet the seller in a public place on campus—like one of the unions, a coffee shop, or a campus landmark. You can even use our lobby—which is open 24/7—to complete a transaction. Even if you can do the entire transaction online and not face-to-face, ask to meet the person. If they refuse, it’s likely a scam.
- Don’t share a copy of your student ID with anyone. If the person you’re buying from insists on seeing your ID to prove you’re a student, tell them you’ll meet them in person in a public space.
- Don’t trust that someone sending you a copy of their ID is proof they’re a student. Many times, a scammer will use an ID that they scammed from another student. Again, ask the seller to meet and provide their student ID in person.
If you’ve been the victim of a scam, immediately report the scam to your bank and to your local police department. If you live in a residence hall and completed the financial transaction in your room, call UWPD at (608) 264-2677. If you live off-campus and completed the online transaction at home, call the City of Madison Police Department at (608) 255-2345. Wherever you were located when you pressed the button on the app to send money, report it to that police department.
Not sure who to call or need information about a transaction you think may have been fraudulent? Give us a call 24/7!
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