ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan Department of Public Safety (DPS) issued a warning to football fans looking for tickets for the U-M/Penn State game Saturday: scalpers’ tickets could be counterfeit.

” We had a significant problem with counterfeit tickets at the MSU game on Nov. 2,” said DPS Capt. James Smiley. ” At least 50 people bought tickets that were illegitimate. There was nowhere for them to go, and they had to leave the stadium.”

Smiley said that counterfeit tickets most often surface at the biggest games of the season. He expects that there could be a problem at the Penn State game Saturday.

Preventing the purchase of counterfeit tickets for football games, or any other U-M event, can be easy, following one basic rule, Smiley said. ” Always purchase your tickets through the University. If you buy them off the street, there is no guarantee they are legitimate.”

It is legal to buy and sell tickets at face value, but Smiley advises against it. However, if you do buy a ticket from a source other than the University, ” let the buyer beware,” Smiley said. Anyone with illegitimate tickets will not be allowed to stay for the game or event.

Questions or concerns about counterfeit tickets can be directed to the DPS at (313) 763-3434, or the Michigan Athletic Ticket Office at (313) 764-0247. If you know anyone who is selling tickets above face value, call DPS at (313) 763-1131 anytime or the Detective Bureau at (313) 764-8559 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.