With all-star week commencing in San Diego next week, MLB officials have advised fans to keep an eye out for counterfeit All-Star Game merchandise and tickets.
According to ABC 10, undercover investigators will monitor all merchandise sold during All-Star Week. Law enforcement officials also will be on the scene to enforce local ordinances, vendor permit requirements, and state and federal counterfeit laws.
“Criminals come to our hot market events, like the All-Star Game, to try and prey on the innocent victim—the fan, the consumer who wants to make an impulse purchase,” Ethan Orlinksy, MLB senior vice president of legal business and club affairs, told ABC 10.
To avoid counterfeit tickets, MLB officials said to look for the unique barcode, watermarks and special inks. Additionally, official souvenir tickets will feature raised lettering.
For counterfeit souvenirs, MLB officials offered fans the following advice:
- Look for the hologram sticker or holographic hangtag with raised baseball stitching.
- Look for a sewn-in or screen-printed label.
- Identify a licensee that the MLB has authorized to produce “official” merchandise.
- Avoid any merchandise with ripped tags or irregular markings.
- Shop at MLB-authorized retail locations.
Fraudulent merchandise is a growing problem in professional sports. Last week, deputies seized $250,000 in counterfeit baseball jerseys and caps. And, after this year’s Super Bowl 50, agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations seized an estimated $39 million in counterfeit merchandise.
