Clemson Police Warn Fans About Football Ticket Scams on Social Media

CLEMSON, S.C. — As football season heats up, Clemson police are warning fans to be on high alert for ticket scams spreading across social media and messaging apps.

Officers say they have received multiple reports from people who were scammed when trying to buy football tickets from unknown sellers online.

How the Scams Work

According to the Clemson Police Department, scammers are primarily targeting fans through social media platforms and messaging apps like GroupMe.

The typical scheme works like this:

Fake accounts are created to advertise tickets that don't actually exist. Scammers request payment through apps like Venmo or Zelle instead of verified payment methods. Once the payment is sent, the scammer deletes their account. Victims are left with no way to recover their money.

Because these peer-to-peer payment apps offer little to no fraud protection, police say recovering lost funds is nearly impossible.

Police Advice for Safe Ticket Buying

Clemson police are urging fans to follow these guidelines to avoid becoming a victim:

Buy from official sources only. Stick to the Clemson Athletics Ticket Office or verified partners like Ticketmaster or StubHub's verified platform.

Be wary of student sellers. Scammers often pose as students selling "extra tickets" in Facebook groups, GroupMe chats, or resale apps.

Meet in person. If buying from another student, meet in a public place or at the Clemson Police Department to exchange tickets and payment. Always verify their Clemson ID, mutual friends, or school email before sending money.

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Deeply discounted tickets are a major red flag.

Don't trust screenshots. "Proof" of tickets can easily be faked.

Watch for common tactics. Other warning signs include duplicate barcodes being sold to multiple buyers, or sellers claiming they're "out of town" and can only email tickets.

Report Suspicious Activity

Anyone in the City of Clemson who suspects they may have fallen victim to a ticket scam should report the activity to the non-emergency line at 864-624-2000.

Stay safe this football season, Tigers fans!