Law enforcement warns residents to beware of Lions ticket scams

METRO DETROIT — The Macomb County Sheriff’s Department is warning the public to be on the lookout for scams, particularly those selling tickets to high profile events such as the Detroit Lions’ playoff game on Sunday, Jan. 21.

The Sheriff’s Office cited an incident that occurred on Jan. 16 in which an individual reported that a woman selling two tickets to the Lions game scammed him.

The victim responded to a post on Facebook stating she was selling the tickets. They communicated via text message and arranged payment through Venmo. The victim said he sent the money but was subsequently asked for additional money from the seller in order to transfer the tickets to his name.

After being told to send more money, the victim suspected it was a scam and reported the matter to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office.

Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham issued a statement reminding residents about the prevalence of financial scams through social media. According to a report by the Federal Trade Commission, between January 2021 and June 2023, Americans lost $2.7 billion in scams originating on social media.

They gave the following tips: limit who can see your posts and information on social media; be suspicious of any message about a financial opportunity or an urgent need for money, even if it comes from a friend or family member since their account may have been hacked; never send money to someone you haven’t met in person; take anyone wishing for a personal relationship online slow and never meet them for the first time in an isolated location; before you buying anything online, check out the company and search online for its name plus “scam” or “complaint.”

To learn more about how to spot, avoid, and report scams, visit www.ftc.gov/scams.