Don’t Let Your Teen Get Scammed
A Guide to Safe Concert Ticket Purchases
Is your teen ecstatic to purchase concert tickets for the first time? While they may be ready to hand over their savings to get front-row seats to Olivia Rodrigo or Ariana Grande, they should be well-informed on how to safely purchase tickets. With digital tickets now being the primary format for stadium events, selling counterfeit tickets is easier than ever. According to the Better Business Bureau, reports of ticket scams have spiked from 13,168 to 16,762 from 2020 to 2022 alone. With top-selling music artists going on tour recently, including Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, scammers have taken advantage of younger, inexperienced ticket buyers. These online swindlers use social media like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to offer ticket deals that are too good to be true. SAFETY TIPS EVERY BUYER NEEDS TO FOLLOW While you may know the tried-and-true signs of an illegitimate listing or scammer, your teen may not. Meanwhile, even the most seasoned concertgoers receive impressively realistic (yet fake) tickets and show up at the venue just to be turned away. For everyone to stay safe, there are some essential rules you should follow when purchasing tickets online. • Always buy tickets from official websites and double-check that the URL is correct. Some scammers create look-alike sites to fool buyers. • If buying tickets from a resale site, ensure they are part of the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB), which confirms they are legitimate.
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Never purchase tickets through an individual on social media or Craigslist. If buying from a person, only do so from someone you know, like a friend, coworker, or relative. Don’t buy tickets with peer- to-peer payment services such as Zelle, Venmo, or CashApp. If the purchase is a scam, these platforms don’t have buyer protection like credit cards. Make sure the section and seat number really exist at the venue.
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If you and your teen follow these tips, you can ensure they are safely spending their money and will actually see the show of their dreams!
Branded Country Wear — Your One-Stop Western Shop Discover Peoria’s Hidden Gem
If you haven’t checked out Branded Country Wear in Peoria, Illinois, you’re missing out. From country hats to boots and belts, this western store has it all. This quaint Western-themed shop was first started by a local couple, Seth and Stacey Landwehr. One day, Seth couldn’t find a brown felt cowboy hat anywhere local without turning to Amazon. Thus, Branded Country Wear was born and has been in business since May 2014. The shop was originally located in the Metro Center and carried a variety of Western apparel, boots, accessories, hats for men and women, children’s boots, and a limited selection of small home decor items. The current owner, Erin Bourscheidt, entered the picture in January 2017 and, a few years later, partnered with Seth and Stacey.
In March 2017, they relocated the shop to Sheridan Road and added new brands and styles to their inventory. The positive response from the community was overwhelming — by early 2020, the 1,200-square-foot space was bursting at the seams to keep up with the customer demand for more jeans, shirts, hats, and boots. In March 2020, just five days before all “nonessential” businesses were shut down due to COVID-19, Branded Country Wear moved next door (in the same building) to double their retail space and allow for more products. Although the months after this move were uncertain for everyone, the community continued to be supportive, placing online orders and lining up to shop the second everyone was allowed back out. They continued introducing new products and brands, and Branded Country Wear grew into what it is
today. Seth and Stacey stepped away from the business to focus on family and other careers, so Erin is now the sole owner. In August 2022, the shop expanded again, taking out a section of wall and adding back the space next door, which had been the shop’s first home when moving to Sheridan Road. Their inventory continues to grow, now including a HUGE selection of denim for the entire family, work and fashion apparel and boots, accessories, a vast selection of cowboy and fashion hats, a splash of home decor, and even merchandise from Fast Back Ropes. A friendly, knowledgeable staff and an adorable shop pup, Josie, add to the experience to make it one you won’t find anywhere else nearby. The store is open Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or online 24/7 at BrandedCountryWear.com .
AMFAM.COM/AGENTS/ILLINOIS/PEORIA/TRAVIS-LEWIS • 309.512.7118
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