BrandSecure Forum: Insights on Anti-Counterfeiting & Brand Protection

Patriots and Giants fans especially have rushed to purchase Super Bowl tickets to cheer their favorite team to victory. But before purchasing these tickets there are some key considerations consumers should keep in mind. The following tips apply to the purchase of any ticket. So whether you want to see your favorite artist perform or cheer on your favorite team, be sure to review the following tips to make sure you actually get in to the venue.

• Always compare tickets with an authentic ticket or image of an authentic ticket

o   Make sure that the URLs listed on the tickets are correct, check to see that the fonts match up and that there are no spelling and/or grammatical errors on the ticket.

• The Scratch Test

o   Use your fingernail or a button to scratch across the front of the ticket.  Authentic tickets should not leave a smudge.  You may have a counterfeit ticket if the scratch smudges and leaves a mark.

• The back of the ticket should not be blank; typically there is promotional information on the reverse side of most tickets.
• When purchasing online, never wire money to a foreign country or unknown destination
• Review a seller’s feedback online and be sure to purchase only from reputable sources
• Never purchase online from a seller with undisclosed information about the seller, particularly on auctions with no seller information
• The Black Light Test

o   If you have purchased from Ticketmaster, or have purchased tickets that claim to be from Ticketmaster, holding a black light over the back of the ticket should reveal many small Ticketmaster logos

§  This is true with other brands as well – most authentic tickets will reveal hidden logos or insignia when placed under a black light

As with any other branded consumer product, it is advised to follow these basic rules of thumb:

• Only purchase from an authorized retailer
• If the price looks too good to be true, it probably is
• Spelling mistakes on any part of the product are a dead giveaway of a counterfeit

Learn about how you can identify other counterfeit products, or request more information to speak with an OpSec representative about our integrated brand protection solutions.

Tags:   anti-counterfeiting · Fake Goods · Luxury GoodsNo Comments