SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns to watch out for these three scams during Fiesta.
“We don’t want to be the party poopers, but we’re just saying, don’t let your guard down,” said Jason Meza, the senior regional director of the BBB.
1. Ticket Scams
Many Fiesta events require tickets. Be especially careful if are buying tickets to sold-out events.
“If you’re not using official vendors under the Fiesta umbrella or the organization itself, be leery,” Meza said. “It is incredibly easy to create events online to collect advance fees and payments and even sold-out tickets. If you show up with a ticket that doesn’t exist, that’s always an issue.”
Pay with a credit card so you have buyer protection if the ticket is fake. Only purchase from resellers that provide transparent information about the transaction terms.
2. QR Code Fraud
The BBB said it has gotten reports of fraudulent QR codes in the past. A fake QR code may direct you to a malicious website that asks for personal information or automatically downloads malware onto your device. Fake QR codes might appear on flyers, emails, or the back of parking meters.
“If you are looking to purchase parking, you’ve got to park somewhere,” Meza said. “QR Code fraud is very high this time of year, especially if you’re looking to park on-site downtown and an unknown parking space. Fraudsters simply put that QR label over the original one and you’re sending money to a non-legit organization, plus you might get towed in the end.”
Look for tampering by running your finger over the edges of the QR code to see if it is a sticker placed on top of the original one. If you use a QR code, verify the money is going to the correct vendor.
3. Public Wi-Fi
Think twice before using public Wi-Fi connections. Scammers can collect all the data transmitted through the connection including passwords and payment information.
“Watch those,” Meza said. “A lot of data is going in between those towers. So if you’re using those unsecured nonencrypted hotspots, be extremely careful using those.”
Do not let your guard down as you enjoy the festivities.
If you do come across a scam, report it to the BBB’s Scam Tracker and police so others can be warned.