Fans warned about counterfeit football tickets

ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan Department of Public Safety is issuing a warning to fans looking for tickets for U-M football games: Scalpers’ tickets could be counterfeit or stolen.

“We had a significant problem with counterfeit tickets at the Michigan State game last fall,” said Capt. James Smiley, U-M Department of Public Safety. “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 Colorado game Sept. 13, and advises people not to buy tickets from scalpers on the street. Officers will be assigned that day to check for illegitimate tickets.

Preventing the purchase of counterfeit or stolen tickets for football games or any other U-M event can be as easy following one basic rule, Smiley said. “Always purchase your tickets through the University,” he said. “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 or stolen tickets can be directed to the Department of Public Safety 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 or the Detective Bureau at (313) 764-8559 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Public SafetyU-M News and Information ServicesUniversity of Michigan