NY AG warns of baseball foul play; tells Mets, Yankees fans to watch out for ticket scams

NEW YORK -- Amidst the power-washing and other preps as Yankee Stadium gets ready for Tuesday night's American League Wild-Card Game, there is a warning to fans who are still in search of playoff tickets.

"Whenever there is a big sporting event, scammers come out of the woodwork," says New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

Attorney General Schneiderman issued a consumer alert on Monday advising baseball fans how not to get ripped off in the rush to be a part of the postseason party - especially with both the Mets and the Yankees making playoff appearances this year.

Among the Attorney General's common sense suggestions - go to team or venue websites for tickets first, then go to regulated ticket dealers. Then, it is important to make the seller verify that the tickets are legitimate by asking for a proof of purchase, and using a credit card to buy - not cash. By using a credit card, it may be easier to get your money back if there is a problem.

"Don't buy it on the street," says Yankee fan Jeanette Quian.

Quian says that Schneiderman's advice makes sense and that she never buys tickets from people she does not know.

"Because sometime they're fake, and sometimes they just want to take your money and give you fake tickets. Yeah, I'm too smart for that," adds Quian.

"We're New Yorkers - we're savvy, we're smart - we got baseball teams. Let's be savvy and smart about buying tickets, too" says Schneiderman.

The playoffs start on Tuesday. The Mets are in the playoffs for the first time since 2006, and the Yankees for the first time since 2012.

The teams played each other for the World Series in 2000, with the Yankees winning.