Soccer World Cup scams | Better Business Bureau

On June 12 the FIFA World Cup tournament begins in Brazil, pitting 32 of the best football—or “soccer” in the United States.

On June 12 the FIFA World Cup tournament begins in Brazil, pitting 32 of the best football—or “soccer” in the United States—teams against each other in one of the world’s most widely viewed sporting events. Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington is kicking off the occasion with some tips on safely following the action.

Fans who are considering attending matches in person should read BBB’s article about getting “tripped up” during travel season and the Federal Trade Commission’s article on avoiding fake tickets; fans who are attending matches from home should score a GOAL:

Go with official event broadcasts and avoid potentially malicious online streaming sites.

Obtain authentic mobile apps from legitimate sources to keep devices secure.

Access secure wireless networks when surfing to avoid hackers.

Link with caution and avoid shady email offers.

The Los Angeles Times recently reported on a large cyber-attack against one of the main World Cup ticketing services, and it is likely that attempts to scam fans will increase in the final weeks before kickoff.

Don’t get stuck on the sidelines and miss all the action, visit the BBB News & Events page for the latest scam alerts and marketplace updates.