Attorney General Todd Rokita warned on May 12 that race fans seeking last-minute bargains for Indy 500 tickets should take precautions to avoid falling victim to scams.
The warning comes as many fans look for tickets, parking, and reservations online ahead of the event. Rokita said, “Con artists are getting more sophisticated by the day. Even veteran track-goers should take time to review some basic safeguards before purchasing tickets, paying for parking, or making online reservations. No one wants the big day to arrive only to get turned away because you got duped by a fraudster.”
Rokita advised that while both digital and paper tickets are available, digital tickets are considered the most secure option. Official paper tickets are printed on thick card-stock material. He noted that counterfeit passes can appear authentic but Indianapolis Motor Speedway staff members are trained to identify fakes.
To help consumers avoid scams during this year’s race activities, Rokita recommended several steps: be wary of deals that seem too good to be true; purchase items directly from Indianapolis Motor Speedway when possible; know whether a seller is a professional broker or an unregulated scalper; understand refund policies; use credit cards for added protection; confirm hotel reservations directly; check reviews of accommodations; watch out for suspiciously low prices or odd website addresses; obtain email confirmations for all purchases and bookings; be cautious with QR codes which could compromise electronic devices; and use multi-factor authentication when possible.
Hoosiers who suspect they have encountered a scam or scam attempt are encouraged to contact the Office of the Indiana Attorney General through indianaconsumer.com or by calling 1-800-382-5516.
