Crime & Safety

Scammers Are Clogging Up the Cards' World Series Experience

The St. Louis BBB is warning fans who are traveling to Texas for the World Series about suspicious hotel offers.

Earlier in the week, the .

Now an alert is spreading about hotel ads targetting fans who may be scrambling to find accommodations in the Dallas area. The BBB said the ads are popping up on Craigslist.

The alert

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A release from the BBB reads in part:

Several ads for World Series hotel packages on a classified ad site claimed to offer tickets for a Rams-Cowboys game along with the hotel, a tip-off that the person who placed the ad may not be familiar with the teams in the World Series, the Cardinals and the Texas Rangers. Some ads are full of misspellings, which also can be a characteristic of fraudulent ads.

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“Sports fans may be anxious to get a hotel room near the ballpark,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO. “Scammers may lure people by advertising low prices—or they may charge a premium by claiming that the hotel is close to the ballpark when it isn’t."

Corey said consumers have no way of knowing whether the tickets being offered are real.

Buyer beware

Here are the BBB's tips for finding housing for the World Series or other special events: 

  • Read any ads carefully, making sure you understand what is being offered and what the total price will be.
  • Ask the sellers where they are located and how they may be contacted after the sale. If the seller is evasive, don’t pursue the offer.
  • Ask for the name, address and phone number of the hotel where the room is located, and call the hotel to verify that the room actually exists. 
  • Check the hotel’s website or a well-known travel site to be sure that the location is convenient for getting to and from the ballpark.
  • Be wary of ads that pile on incentives to make the package look better. Often the items (such as lanyards, T-shirts or other trinkets) have limited value.
  • Use a credit card to make your reservation. A credit card company can assist you with obtaining a refund if the offer turns out to be fraudulent or if there are other problems with the accommodation.
  • Do your research. A variety of travel guidebooks and online reviews address services and amenities at hotels and motels.
  • Make sure you get a confirmation number from the business when reserving a room. 
  • Also, make sure you know times of check-in and checkout, and clearly understand the type of room you are paying for (smoking or nonsmoking, queen or double beds, regular room or suite, etc.)
  • If you have any concern about the quality of a motel or hotel, ask to inspect your room before moving in. You have a better chance to get satisfaction from staff or management if you have not already accepted your room. If you spot a problem, report it to the front desk immediately.

Research and resources

Here are some resources for finding information about accommodations:


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