DETROIT (WXYZ) — Are you heading to Detroit for the NFL Draft this week? Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning residents about potential scams including ones involving parking.
Nessel sat down with me one on one wearing her Detroit Lions sneakers Tuesday.
“There are a lot of folks out there that are trying to take advantage,” Nessel said.
She says tickets to draft-related events may not be real, so be cautious.
“You want a legitimate site that you're dealing with, so a site that you’ve heard of before (like) StubHub or Ticketmaster," the attorney general said. "Once you start dealing with a site that you’ve never heard of before, you’ve got to be suspect.”
She says paying with a credit card offers more protection than using apps. Draft organizers are recommending those attending to download the NFL OnePass app or register online for free admission and event information.
Nessel said because of the road closures, many people might be relying on private lots to park — but sometimes, scammers can sell parking spaces for lots they don't manage.
"You might be waived into a site with some guy with a flag wearing a uniform and it’s not even a parking lot that that person even owns,” she said. Maybe your car gets towed, maybe you get a ticket or worse, maybe your car is stolen,” Nessel said. “Everybody should have a plan for parking before they ever come down here.”
Detroit resident Alessa Pointer is eager to watch the NFL Draft downtown but also knows the event is attracting some looking to profit illegally.
“Working downtown, very accustomed to the people trying to get you to give them money… or if it’s just a man saying ‘Hey, come park here,’ don’t trust it,” Pointer said.
Nessel is advising people to ask for a receipt or parking ticket after payment. She also says never give your keys to the attendant if there are no posted valet signs, and make sure to confirm ahead of time that they offer valet service.
VIDEO: Detroit police working with multiple law enforcement agencies during NFL Draft
Another scam is fake parking tickets. According to the Better Business Bureau, scammers create authentic-looking tickets and ask people to pay them online or use a QR code. Nessel is encouraging people to visit the municipality's website directly or call the court to verify before paying.
It’s also good to watch out for texts or emails asking you to download or click on a link. Nessel says it’s likely a scammer wanting to intercept your information.
The attorney general is also reminding that it’s a good idea not to post anything about how long you’ll be at the draft and spending time away from home.
Here's advice from the BBB:
- Know before you park. Before visiting a new place, research available parking and local parking requirements. Tourists with out-of-state plates are often the preferred target for parking scams because they are likely unfamiliar with local parking laws.
- Examine the citation carefully. Scammers can imitate logos and city office names, but an imitation website is usually where the scam comes to light. Do an internet search for the city's official parking ticket websites and compare what's found to what is on the ticket. Keep in mind that government sites should end in a .gov or .ca (in Canada) designation, and if there is a payment page, it should always have a secure connection.
- Double-check the name checks should be made out to. If the ticket allows for payment by check, take a closer look at the entity and address to which you are instructed to mail the check. Checks should generally be made out to a specific government organization, not a string of initials or personal names.
- Pay traffic citations by credit card when possible. It will be easier to contest fraudulent charges if consumers discover they've been scammed down the road.
If you're looking to file a complain with the attorney general, reach out to:
Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
