Beware of fake Panthers tickets, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police warn

As the Carolina Panthers begin their NFL playoff run, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police are once again warning fans about fake tickets and counterfeit merchandise.

The Panthers face the Seattle Seahawks at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.

Police on Thursday urged fans to buy tickets from a reputable vendor and never from a stranger. Ticketmaster is the only ticketing source authorized by the Panthers, the police department said.

Officials said the police department takes the offense of selling of counterfeit tickets seriously, but “also faces challenges to locate, arrest and prosecute offenders.”

“CMPD wants to ensure fans are able to enjoy their visit to Bank of America Stadium without falling victim to this type of fraud,” officials said in a news release.

Police offered these tips to anyone who wants to buy tickets from strangers:

▪ Ask the seller for identification and record his or her information. Write down where the seller is standing and any direction of travel.

▪ Write down a clothing description, take a photo of the seller with your cellphone and ask the seller to walk to the gate with you before you give any money. Pay only after the tickets have been scanned and verified as valid, police urged.

▪ Check the Panthers’ website to make sure the section and row on the ticket are listed in the stadium seating.

Sellers might not always be aware that they are selling counterfeit tickets, police said, so it’s good to ask the origin of the tickets they are selling.

Extra security planned

Both the Panthers game and Saturday’s 2016 City of Charlotte MLK Holiday Parade have been declared by the city as extraordinary events. That means police have expanded authority to search people.

The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. on North Tryon Street at 11th Street and ends at South Tryon Street and Stonewall Street.

Another 8,000 to 10,000 people will be uptown for a major cheerleading and dance competition Saturday and Sunday at the Charlotte Convention Center. Combined with the game and parade, that will create lots of competition for parking spaces and public transportation.

This story was originally published January 14, 2016 at 11:06 AM with the headline "Beware of fake Panthers tickets, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police warn."