University Park, Pa. -- Every year as fans clamor to get tickets to big football games, unscrupulous entrepreneurs crop up to take advantage of those who are willing to spend more than face value to see their favorite teams play. The danger for the fans goes beyond shelling out big bucks, though. In recent years, it has become increasingly common for scalpers to sell counterfeit tickets.
"In the past nine years we have seen counterfeit tickets sold or attempted to be used to enter Beaver Stadium for the significant games such as Ohio State, Michigan, Miami and Nebraska," said Tom Sowerby, University Police supervisor.
With No. 4 Michigan set to visit Penn State in a highly touted Big Ten matchup this weekend, Sowerby is concerned that fans will encounter problems with counterfeit tickets once again. "I think it is very likely that we will see counterfeit tickets for this game, especially since the ring leader of a group that was arrested for selling counterfeit tickets for Penn State's game at Notre Dame a few weeks ago was arrested here for the same offense in 1997," he said.
Reselling a ticket above face value without a license is a summary offense with a penalty of up to 90 days in jail and a maximum $300 fine for the first offense. After a conviction for a first offense the charge would increase to a misdemeanor violation. Still, there is no shortage of scalpers and counterfeiters outside of college football stadiums. "We have many stories of victims being scammed," Sowerby said. "We've made arrests by officers in uniform that heard and watched a transaction go down. At one Ohio State game a few years ago a fan purchased a counterfeit ticket for $300 and was denied entry. He was so determined to get into the game, he purchased a second ticket for $300 and was denied entry for a second time because it also was a counterfeit ticket. So that guy was out $600, and he still didn't get to see the game."
According to Bud Meredith, manager of ticket operations for Penn State, fans can tell whether or not tickets are legitimate.
"Legitimate tickets include an area where a person can rub the Penn State name or logo off of the back of the ticket and a few seconds later it will reappear intact," he said. Student seating is handled with a voucher system, and those with student tickets also must show their valid Penn State student ID card to gain entry into the stadium.
"Of course, the sure way to know that your ticket purchase is authentic is to avoid scalpers and buy tickets for sold-out games through Nittany Lions TicketExchange, the secondary ticket service offered and authorized by Athletics," said Greg Myford, associate athletic director for marketing. "There is an element of chance with all other services."
Those interested using TicketExchange can visit http://www.gopsusports.com/tickets/ online and click on the appropriate link. The tickets sold through the TicketExchange program are guaranteed to be legitimate.
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Also on Penn State Live:
Paternoville forms for Michigan game
http://live.psu.edu/story/20082
Not headed to the game? Avoid Park Avenue on gamedays
http://live.psu.edu/story/20073
Penn State Police caution fans to remain safe
http://live.psu.edu/story/20032
Pep Rally set for Friday in Rec Hall; all fans encouraged to wear white for Michigan clash
http://live.psu.edu/story/19969