Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a warning Tuesday urging fans seeking tickets to an NBA Eastern Conference Finals game to be wary of potential scams.
With the New York Knicks having reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years, Game One will see them taking on the Indiana Pacers at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.
The hullabaloo surrounding the matchup brings with it an attractive opportunity for scammers to take advantage of the high demand for tickets.
“As the Knicks continue their incredible run, I understand the excitement and pride fans across New York are feeling — it’s electric,” Hochul said**.**
“But I want to remind everyone: Don’t let that excitement make you a target. Be cautious when buying tickets and only use trusted sources. Scammers are out there, and we won’t let them take advantage of our fans.”
The governor is urging consumers to follow tips provided by the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection to avoid event ticket scams leading up to the Knicks home games.
Tips to avoid ticket scams:
Purchase from the venue
Buy only from trusted sources
Watch out for fake tickets
Verify the seller
Beware of low prices
Consider paying with a credit card
Use a strong password
Should you decide to stream the game at home, Hochul advises that you know your rights with free trials**:** If you sign up for a free trial on a streaming service to watch the game, keep track of when the trial ends and cancel beforehand to avoid paying for an unwanted subscription.
New York State law requires businesses that offer automatically renewing subscriptions with free trials to outline how prices will change and how you can cancel the service.
The New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides voluntary mediation between a consumer and a business when a consumer has been unsuccessful at reaching a resolution on their own.
The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding state holidays. Consumer complaints can be filed at any time with The Division of Consumer Protection at dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. The Division can also be reached via X at @NYSConsumer or on Facebook.