Despite the fact that the Minnesota Vikings were out of the running for a chance at the Super Bowl long ago, many Minnesota fans will still be glued to the biggest game of the year this Sunday. This is also a time when people may be more inclined to participate in selling or buying counterfeit merchandise in the hopes of making some extra money. The items are available in a number of places now, which may make the swindle even more tempting to take part in.

Both buyers and sellers are being warned, though. Knowingly selling fake or stolen merchandise can come with a huge penalty or even jail time. And buyers may know they are buying counterfeit items, but because it may be cheaper, they do not mind. They could be penalized as well.

In general, it is suggested that people do not buy or sell merchandise or tickets on websites that cannot confirm authenticity. Sites like Craigslist do not offer a guarantee, while sites like Stub Hub and Ticketmaster are more reliable. It is also recommended that people take care with their credit card information they give out. Some sites, according to the Better Business Bureau, exist only to take your credit card number and other personal information.

These types of sports-related merchandise frauds are common around big games like the Super Bowl. People want the cheapest tickets or jerseys they can find and may make some poor decisions in order to save some money.

Because the opportunity to sell fake or stolen merchandise may seem so uncomplicated, some people may forget that these types of fraudulent behaviors are still illegal. It may seem harmless to call a jersey "official" when it is not, but it is grounds for criminal charges in some cases. A person who is accused of swindling or defrauding people can face serious penalties. Consulting an attorney may be very helpful in order to minimize charges or punishments.

Source: Patch, "Be Wary of Super Bowl Scams This Weekend," Kyle Stucker, Feb. 3, 2012