The Courier-Journal (Louisville)
Heading to the Derby? 4 tips to avoid ticket scams and fraud
Bad luck at the Kentucky Derby can come in the form of a lost bet or a spilled mint julep, but fans should not forget about the potential scams they could face as they prepare for a day at historic Churchill Downs.
When buying tickets and parking, or booking a hotel room for the Kentucky Derby, make sure your money does not end up in the hands of a scammer.
Here are a few tips from Churchill Downs officials, the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, and the Better Business Bureau of Louisville, Southern Indiana and Western Kentucky to help you avoid Kentucky Derby scams.
How to avoid Kentucky Derby credit card scams
Before your online hat, suit, or ticket purchase crosses the finish line, be sure your credit card information will not end up in the hands of scammers. Here are some things to look for before purchasing anything online:
● Misspellings and grammar errors are red flags that could denote a nonnative English speaker with no ties to Kentucky.
● Some criminals create authenticlooking dummy sites that appear to be eBay, StubHub or Ticketmaster. Check the URL before entering your credit card number and other personal information. Also, be sure it’s a secured site that begins with “https” and not just “http.”
● Never wire money to someone you don’t know.
● Don’t get a prepaid debit card and reveal the numbers to someone you haven’t vetted. Be leery of online escrow services.
The safest way to get tickets is directly through Churchill Downs at the box office or online at KentuckyDerby.com. Churchill Downs and Ticketmaster also run the online Kentucky Derby Ticket Exchange, where users can buy and resell single-day tickets and ticket packages for the Oaks and Derby.
How to avoid wristband scams at the Kentucky Derby
Once you enter Churchill Downs, you can not exit the racetrack and return using the same ticket. The no reentry policy was put in place to keep
outside scalpers from peddling wristbands, which are given to ticketholders at the gate. Churchill Downs does not sell wristbands.
Even with the no-entry rule in place, some may still be out on Derby Day trying to sell wristbands to people unfamiliar with the rule. Anyone trying to enter without a ticket will be turned away at the gate, per Churchill Downs.
Research your Airbnb before booking for the Kentucky Derby
If renting an Airbnb is part of your pre-Derby to-do list, check real estate websites, like Zillow.com, to make sure the house is not up for sale or listed as vacant.
Airbnb also recommends guests check to see if the host’s account is verified or confirmed.
How to spot a parking scam before you gets towed at the Kentucky Derby
If you choose to park in a neighborhood near Churchill Downs, be sure the person selling you a spot lives at the house where you will be parking your car. If not, your ride may not be there when you return.
You could save a lot of cash and hassle by using Jefferson County’s online property records database to verify a homeowner’s identity.