Scammers are looking to cash in on the Tragically Hip and dying lead singer Gord Downie's cancer.

The band announced a "farewell tour" of sorts after it was revealed Downie has terminal brain cancer.

Two Calgary shows sold out in moments, which has fans calling foul about how the tickets were sold, but the prices they're seeing for them from scalpers and re-sellers.

Leah Brownridge with the Better Business Bureau says scammers are going to use your emotions against you.

"It's not just any old concert, this is a farewell concert, so to speak. And people are preparing to say their good-bye's to a beloved musician. So scammers are really counting on the emotional aspect of this. And they're counting on people to not look at the red flags or the warning signs and get caught up in the emotional experience of it all."

She says you're best bet is to buy tickets from legitimate third party re-sellers, and try to avoid buying them off of sites like Kijiji, E-Bay or Craigslist.

In a release from the BBB, they say:

How ticket scams work:

  • Selling fake tickets under a fake identity: Scammers will sometimes provide buyers with a fake name and number, even using trustworthy, professional titles like Dr. When the buyer tries to contact the seller, they end up calling someone who has no idea their identity has been used by a scammer.
  • Re-selling the same tickets: Scammers buy tickets online and opt to have the tickets emailed to them. Once the scammer receives the e-tickets, they advertise them on sites like Kijiji, eBay or Craigslist. Since there is no limit to the amount of times a scammer can sell the same pair of e-tickets, they take payment from multiple buyers for the same tickets, only to leave the buyers empty-handed.
  • Selling fake tickets: Scammers purchase printing devices on the black market that can replicate the look of legitimate looking tickets and sell them to unsuspecting buyers. Only when the buyer tries to redeem the tickets at the event are they told the tickets are fake.
  • In most cases, scammers will ask for payment via wire money transfer. Once payment is received, communication stops and the tickets are nowhere to be found.
     
    Staying safe: Tips to avoid ticket scams:
  • Verify ticket sales. Check with official ticket retailers if tickets to the event are actually on sale. Also check with the band's official page for concert dates so you know when you can expect to buy tickets.
  • Beware of deals that seem too good to be true. They usually are!
  • Never wire money to a stranger. Money transfers are hard to trace and once the money is gone, it's gone for good. Pay with a credit card so you will have some recourse in case something goes wrong.
  • Ask to meet in person. It can be anyone on the other side of a computer screen, so ask to meet the person in a public place.
  • Use available tools and resources. When using sites like eBay, take note of the seller's track record and reputation, and read the online review.

For  more tips you can trust, click "HERE."