Better Business Bureau Warns of Super Bowl Counterfeits

As the NFL playoffs continue and we get closer to Super Bowl LI, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of North Central Texas is warning customers in the area that counterfeiters could be targeting fans near the game's location in Houston.

"The BBB knows that devoted fans will be flocking to the internet to find branded gear," Monica Horton, president of the Wichita Falls, Texas, office of the BBB, said to the Times Record News. "It follows that counterfeiters and ID thieves will be aware of the demand, too. They can easily take advantage of online customers looking for a great deal on their favorite player's jersey."

Horton especially warned against counterfeiters looking for opportunities to swipe credit and debit card information, which could lead to identity theft.

The BBB started receiving phone calls and alerts of scams in December, with consumers alleging that websites had fake items related to hockey, basketball and football. The BBB, in coordination with some of the sports leagues, looked into 65 websites that appeared to be selling fake stuff related to the NFL, NCAA, MLB, NBA and NHL. The NCAA, in particular, found that five of the sites were not authorized to sell the items.