Bucs Vs. Patriots: Scam, Traffic Warnings Issued By Police

TAMPA, FL — As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare for their nationally televised, sold-out game against the New England Patriots Thursday, police have issued warnings to help keep fans and residents safe. Of particular concern is the potential for ticket scammers to part fans and their money. Police are also expecting the game coupled with weeknight, rush-hour traffic will create a mess for commuters.

The Tampa Police Department said it has not received credible information about counterfeit ticket scams yet, but that doesn’t mean fans are in the clear. (For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Tampa Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

“The upcoming game has all the elements that could result in last-minute ticket buyers encountering scammers,” the agency warned in a Wednesday email. To help fans avoid scams, police recommend buyers:

• Get their tickets from reputable sellers
• If purchasing from a private seller, insist on meeting at a police department or public place with surveillance cameras
• Use smart phones to take photos of seller IDs or to snap a shot of the vehicle tag

The police department reminds fans that PDF printed tickets are not accepted. “Each guest to a buccaneer game will need a mobile ticket or printed ticket on ticket stock,” the department warned. “Tickets can be stored on mobile devices and scanned at the games.”

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Anyone who believes they’ve encountered a scam is asked to contact the Tampa Police Department at 813-231-6130.

As for the traffic, police say motorists can expect a lot of it around Raymond James Stadium Thursday night.

“Unlike most Bucs home games on Sunday afternoons, this week’s game is during a regular work day and many tailgating fans will be arriving at rush hour,” the agency warned. With that in mind, fans are urged to give themselves plenty of time to get to the stadium. Residents are asked to avoid roads near the stadium in the hours leading up to the game.

Kickoff time for Thursday’s game is 8:25 p.m. The game will be televised on CBS. For more information, including point spread, parking and security, check out this related story: Buccaneers Vs. Patriot: Everything You Need To Know.

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