Beware Grey Cup ticket scams: police

Saskatoon police are warning the public to watch out for Grey Cup ticket scams.

Many fans have been scrambling for tickets since Sunday when the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the Calgary Stampeders in the West Division final.

In a news release, police said they're aware that numerous people are searching for tickets on the internet this week.

There have been no frauds uncovered yet, but police believe the potential exists and they're telling potential ticket buyers to proceed with caution.

Among the advice they're passing along is not to use money orders or wire services, which they say are common methods used to defraud buyers of their money.

Other tips from police:

• Do not give out personal information, including credit card numbers, to anyone or any business unless you are sure it is reputable.
• Never send cash or cheques through the mail in these kinds of transactions.
• Methods of payment that are considered secure include online services such as PayPal.

Tickets to this year's Grey Cup in Calgary are technically sold out, but there are still tickets available online or through travel companies.

Regina's Dash Tours, for example, has some Grey Cup packages, but the company says it expects them to sell out quickly.

Calgary fans unload tickets

Riders fans may also get lucky at Pazzer's Saskatchewan Pub in the northwest Calgary where morose Stamps fans have been unloading their tickets since the team was eliminated on Sunday.

'I think there's plenty of green fans that will come and snag those tickets lickety split.' —Marion Hayes, Calgary bar owner

Bar owner Marion Hayes said she's been getting steady calls from people trying to sell their seats.

"We had a fellow, he had three second row tickets and he was asking face value for them. I think he was a sad Stampede fan," said Hayes. "But you know what, good news was, somebody at the end of the bar took the number, gave him a call.

"There'll be a few more people who aren't so happy and maybe don't want to go, but I think there's plenty of green fans that will come and snag those tickets lickety split."

Meanwhile, a check on eBay Monday showed, at the high end, tickets holders are seeking as much as $400 to $2,500 apiece.