RICHMOND, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, people are getting ready to attend festivals and large events again this summer.

However, scammers may be trying to take advantage of that excitement by trying to sell phony tickets and even events that aren't real.
 
The Better Business Bureau serving Central Virginia says people may see an amazing deal for tickets, usually through social media posts.
 
According to a release, such posts may promise live music, all-you-can-eat meals, craft beverages and other fun activities.
 
These offers lead people to click on the link, taking them to a professional-looking website where people can enter credit card information to buy tickets.
 
However, the BBB urges people to do some research about an event before entering any information.
 
The release says the BBB has received several reports from people who either bought fake tickets to real events or who bought tickets to events that never took place.
 
One way to spot a fake festival or event is to check for working contact information, such as a real phone number and email address.
 
Also watch out for prices that sound too good to be true, such as tickets at extremely low prices. BBB says if the prices are much lower than other sites offering them, it is likely a scam.
 
Additionally, scammers will often use names that sound similar to those of real events.
 
In order to prevent the loss of money to such a scam, people should use a credit card to pay because the charges can be disputed if the tickets don't come through or the event never takes place.
 
BBB says to be wary of any online sellers that do not accept credit cards.
 
People should also check website URLs to make sure they are secure, such as including the "https" at the beginning and a lock symbol.
 
Tickets that are being offered on sites such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and other free online listings should be avoided.
 
For more information regarding buying tickets for events, click here.