Attorney General's News Release

November 12, 2008

Attorney General’s Office warns of scams involving tickets for Presidential inauguration

Jefferson City, Mo. - The Attorney General's Office says consumers hoping to attend Inauguration Day ceremonies in Washington, D.C., need to be on the lookout for scam artists. One consumer in the St. Louis area has already reported being contacted by someone offering tickets to the Jan. 20 festivities for $1,700 each. Consumers have also found tickets for sale online.

The Attorney General's Office says the only way to get tickets is from your U.S. Representative or Senator. Furthermore, tickets are free and will not even be available until about a week before the event. Tickets must be picked up in person.

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies oversees the inauguration and the distribution of tickets. The committee's Web site is www.inaugural.senate.gov.

"The public should also be aware that no Web site or other ticket outlet actually has inaugural swearing-in tickets to sell, regardless of what they may claim," says a statement on the committee's Web site.

"Any Web site or ticket broker claiming that they have inaugural tickets is simply not telling the truth," said Howard Gantman, the committee's staff director, in an online statement.

Any consumer with questions or complaints about inauguration tickets or any other issue can contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 or Web site at ago.mo.gov.