10 Super Bowl Scams (and How NOT to Get Played)

Personal News Alerts. Even if you do get the right Super Bowl package, at the right hotel, with unforgettable seats and entre to all the cool parties in Dallas, you need to be smart before you get on the plane, when you’re at your hotel or out and about in Texas. Before you go – it’s best not to broadcast to every friend, relative and acquaintance via your Facebook wall the date you’re leaving, where you’re staying and how long you’ll be away. Leave your social security card at home.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards. Try not to take your entire inventory of debit and credit cards with you. OK. I understand that you absolutely, positively need your Packer or Steelers affinity credit card on your person at all times this weekend, but perhaps you could limit your plastic to that one card plus a debit card to ensure access to the cash required to speed your purchases of $14 beers, $9 hot dogs and favorite team t-shirts, hats and sweatshirts ($32, $42 and $79.99 respectively) at the concession stands. That way if you lose your purse or wallet, you limit your financial exposure, reduce the amount of effort required to control the damage and have a few credit and debit cards waiting for you at home. Oh, and it is a good idea to put them in a safe place while you are gone so they don’t take a road trip in your absence.

Laptops, Valuables and Safes. If you drive to Arlington, make sure that you don’t leave your lap top, purse or wallet in the car when you stop for restroom or food breaks. If you rent a car for the weekend, remove your personal belongings when get to your hotel and keep your iPad, jewelry and valuables in the main safe – but at the very least in the room safe. Your room is not as impenetrable as the Green Bay or Pittsburgh front line. There are lots of folks who walk through it, clean it, restock it, or simply sneak into it looking to collect their favorite types of souvenirs.

When in hotel rooms, lobbies, airports, restaurants, sports bars or at the tailgate parties, if you absolutely must have your laptop at your side so you miss nary an updated player comment or injury report, make sure the network you use is secure.

Credit Cards, ATM Machines. When buying anything on the road this weekend use a credit card rather than a debit card because their fraud protections are generally more comprehensive. Use ATM machines that are attached to or in the 24-hour lobby of a bank. They have mirrors and thieves don’t appreciate their capacity for instant replay. When getting cash, be very aware of those who might be showing you a bit more fan support than is appropriate. They may well be admiring your pin number more than your team jersey.

Smartphones. Make sure your smart phone is password protected, has security software installed, and use strong passwords that are not shared with social networking, email and financial sites. You really don’t need your texts to your betting partners, the route phrase to all aspects of your life, or email expressing thoughts regarding how hot or not the cheerleaders look passing into anyone else’s hands or hand-held devices. And, do you really need to transfer funds by way of your mobile bank app from the 40 yard line on Sunday?

[Related: Your Smarter Smartphone]

Secure Networks and Monitoring. Before or after you go to the game and are on a secure network, it’s not a bad idea to take a couple of minutes prior to beginning happy hour, entering the fitness center, or communicating via your Facebook wall with your personal cyber-stadium of fellow fans to check out your bank and credit card accounts. It’s always wise to be sure that your finances are not being sacked while you are away.

Enough of the buzz-kill — we have serious celebratory work ahead of us in the next few days and a game to win.

Enjoy. Travel safe. Cheer loudly. And, well, you know the drill!

Packers photo by eytonz, via Flickr