Penn State Blue-White Spring Game
Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania Justin K. Aller/Getty Images for ONIT

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Police and Public Safety is alerting football fans to a rise in online ticket scams as the new season approaches.

"As we approach the 2025 college football season, there is ongoing concern over fraudulent online ticket sales," warned Wesley Sheets, the university's associate vice president and chief of police and public safety. The office recorded 94 reports of ticket scams last year, with most victims being students.

Scammers typically lure buyers via social media platforms—such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and GroupMe—by posting fake tickets with deceptive photos and requesting payment through services like Venmo or Zelle. "Payments made through these platforms make it much more difficult to track transactions," Sheets explained. After sending payment, victims are often unable to recover their money.

To avoid being scammed, fans are urged to purchase football tickets only through the Penn State Athletics ticket office or Ticketmaster, the university's sole authorized resellers. Students and staff who suspect they have fallen prey to a scam are encouraged to report it to their campus police or via the university's online reporting portal.