Rockford BBB Warns Of Concert And Sports Ticket Scams Coming

As temperatures rise and the calendar fills up with concerts, baseball games, and festivals, there’s another seasonal trend that shows up right on cue, too.

Ticket scams involving all of those things.

The Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning fans across Northern Illinois and beyond to stay alert as excitement builds for a packed 2026 entertainment lineup. From major shows at Soldier Field and Wrigley Field to big-name events like Lollapalooza and sold-out games featuring the Savannah Bananas, demand is sky-high, and the scammers know it.

Dennis Horton, Senior Director Of The Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau:

The high demand sets the perfect stage for scammers to use fake websites, scam emails, and ads on social media to steal your money and identity. In the rush to get tickets, fans could be caught off guard.

These Scams Are Not Just Happening With Big-Name Concerts

With the Chicago Cubs home opener kicking off March 26th and the Chicago White Sox following on April 2nd, scammers are also targeting eager baseball fans hoping to score seats.

According to the BBB, hundreds of complaints have already been filed through Scam Tracker related to fake tickets and counterfeit merchandise. Many scams happen online, where fake websites and listings can look nearly identical to legitimate sellers.

Dennis Horton:

You don’t want to show up at the gate after paying hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, for a ticket and learn that your ticket is phony. Even in the era of electronic exchanges, tickets and QR codes may not be detected as fakes until you get to the gate, and then you can’t get in.

Here's What To Do To Avoid Getting Burned

The BBB recommends sticking to official box offices or verified sellers, double-checking website security (look for “HTTPS”), and avoiding deals that seem too good to be true. Buyers should also be cautious when using platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, where scammers often post convincing, but completely fake tickets.

One of the smartest moves would be to always pay with a credit card (not your debit card). It’s often the only way to recover your money if something goes wrong.