Podcast: BBB warns Atlanta fans about World Cup ticket scams spreading on social media

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - With the FIFA World Cup coming to the U.S. and Atlanta among 16 host cities, consumer advocates say the hype is also creating new opportunities for scammers.

The Better Business Bureau of Greater Atlanta is warning people to be skeptical of viral social media posts advertising “free” World Cup tickets or giveaways. “They don’t have to have people out there giving away free tickets in order to sell out the stadiums,” said Josh Hares, executive vice president of the BBB of Greater Atlanta, in a Behind the Investigation podcast with investigative reporter Anastassia Olmos.

‘Free tickets’ can come with a costly catch

Hares said scammers often use excitement around major events to push people into quick decisions. He called urgency a major red flag — any offer that pressures you to act immediately without time to verify.

Instead of sending tickets, scammers may be after personal information or payment details, sometimes by claiming you have to “pay taxes,” processing fees, or shipping costs to claim a prize.

QR codes and fake links are a growing threat

Another tactic involves getting people to scan QR codes to “upload tickets” or access an offer — a scheme known as “quishing,” or phishing using QR codes. Hares said scammers can use those links to collect logins, passwords, financial info, or even gain deeper access to a phone.

“If they get into your phone, they can get your contacts,” Hares said, which can lead to friends and family receiving messages that appear to come from you.

Beware: messages from ‘friends’ selling cheap tickets

Hares also warned about ticket scams that start with an email, text, or direct message that looks like it’s coming from someone you know — claiming plans changed and offering tickets at a steep discount.

He said the best protection is simple: confirm it’s really your friend. “Call the people,” Hares said. “Don’t just trust some random text… reach out to them and say, ‘Hey, is this you?’”

Blue check marks don’t always mean legitimate

Social media verification can also be misleading, Hares said, adding that scammers can create convincing accounts that look official. He recommends finding official social media pages by starting at the organization’s website first — then clicking through to verified accounts from there.

And when buying tickets online, he said avoid clicking on links from posts, ads, or messages. Instead, type the web address yourself to reduce the risk of landing on a lookalike site with subtle misspellings.

How to pay safely

If you do buy tickets, Hares recommends using safer payment methods. He said services like PayPal or Amazon Pay can add protection by limiting what sellers can see. Credit cards are typically safer than debit cards, cash apps, or wire transfers, which can be difficult to recover if something goes wrong.

If a seller or site only accepts limited payment methods — and won’t take major protected options — Hares said that’s another sign to pause.

How to check and report scams

The BBB says consumers can use its Scam Tracker to search for patterns in real time by city and keyword, including terms like “World Cup tickets” or “QR code.” Hares said reporting matters because many scams go unreported, making it harder to warn others.

As Atlanta gears up for international crowds, the BBB urges residents and visitors to slow down, verify sources, and be cautious with links, QR codes, and requests for personal information.

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