BBB: Beware of Bucks championship gear scams

BBB: Beware of Bucks championship gear scams
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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A buyer beware notice for Bucks fans. 

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says to watch out for cheap knock-offs of championship gear with misspelled names or logos.

BBB officials said now's the time scammers may be pushing unofficial merch as the real deal.

They said one big way to make sure you're getting official merch, is obviously to come to a well-known brick and mortar store like the Bucks Pro Shop or Dick's Sporting goods, but they said things can get murkier when you're buying online.

"You always get those ads online saying oh yeah, we're selling certain merchandise for like $27," said Bucks fan Diya Singh.

Singh said it's something he's seen before online, which is why he headed to the Bucks Pro Shop Wednesday to get merch.

Sheila Sikes said knowing everything is official and high quality is what keeps her coming back.

"I was very excited and very pleased with [the merch in the past]," said Sikes, "So I decided to return again to get the new gear this year, and I'm very pleased so far."

BBB Wisconsin Regional Director Susan Bach said it's important to make sure you're on an official site, and to only pay with a credit card if you're buying online so you can dispute charges easily.

"A lot of people are going to say that they have licensed apparel or official merchandise, but you really want to make sure that you're using a reputable source for that," said Bach.

Apurba Banerjee, also waiting in like for merch Wednesday, said she's seen a lot fake merch already, and steered clear.

"I did see a lot of fake merch pop up on like street corners, there were a lot of two for 20 deals," said Banerjee.

We caught up with a stand selling Bucks shirts. While they didn't want to go on camera, and didn't seem to be saying their merch was official, people like Nick Pfile, buying the shirts, just seemed to want to have a cheap keepsake to remember the moment.

"You know it’s not Nike or Adidas, I mean I don't care, Bucks in six, you know," said Pfile.

Bach said if you are using an unfamiliar site, research it a little bit before buying, or check out the BBB's website to see if they have any info on the company.

Also, understand the value of the merch.

Authentic jerseys can cost more than $100. If you see one advertised for less, the bureau says it's probably too good to be true.

You can report scams to the bureau's website, here.

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