DETROIT — Tiger Fever is contagious.

But the frugal ones among us might say it's more like a case of Tiger delirium, based on the going rate for tickets, currently exceeding $400 in many cases.

As the Eat 'em Up Tigers guy chants his catchy jingle outside Comerica Park upon the Detroit Tigers return home for game three of the World Series Saturday, scalpers are sure to be on their posts, buying low and selling high.

Their customers should be wary of more than price.

The Better Business Bureau serving Detroit warns that with ticket prices soaring, so to are counterfeit tickets and fraudulent offers, most often "when people buy tickets from individuals outside the stadium, on the street or through online auctions, classified ads and bulletin boards."

, an online ticket broker website, is one company that has helped second-hand ticket sales grow to a $15 billion per year industry, the Better Business Bureau says, citing a figure from

Those looking to sell tickets — frequently sophisticated, large-scale scalpers — use sites like StubHub to link up with customers, their hope being that supply and demand squeezes up the price and profits.

Currently StubHub is selling standing-room-only tickets to game three starting at $400; prices range up to nearly $10,000 for suites.

"Prices will continue to fluctuate, as our marketplace is constantly changing," said Jolleen Ferrer, a StubHub spokeswoman. "We guarantee all tickets, so fans can be rest assured that the tickets they purchase on StubHub will get them into these big games."

The website currently lists 20,000 tickets available for the potential three games in Detroit, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

"Tickets purchased for sports and entertainment events are the source of hundreds of BBB complaints by consumers nationwide," the Better Business Bureau says in a release. "The BBB’s database of BBB Business Reviews includes reputable, secondary market ticket firms that provide buyer protections, including some that offer money-back guarantees if tickets are fake.

"On some sites, sellers also must provide credit-card numbers so the site can charge a seller’s card for the cost of replacement tickets if they sell fake tickets."

As noted by the Better Business Bureau, StubHub does offer a money-back guarantee on tickets sold through its site.

"In addition, hotel scams may involve invalid reservations or rooms advertised as close to the ballpark that either don’t exist or are nowhere near downtown," the Better Business Bureau warns.

Here are some tips to avoid getting duped:

Ticket purchases:

Read any ads carefully, making sure you understand what is being offered and what the total price will be.

Ask the seller where he or she is located and how he or she may be contacted after the sale. If the seller is evasive, don't pursue the offer.

Do your research. Know the price of tickets and be familiar with the seating chart of the arena.

Only purchase from reputable sources.

Ask to see the seller's original invoice from when the tickets were purchased.

Try to meet the seller in person in a public place during the day.

If you are purchasing online, use either a credit card or a PayPal account. Both of those options offer some protection if the tickets are fake.

Don't send cash or wire money to anyone you don't know.

Never be afraid to ask questions or request information.

Check to make sure the firm is an

For hotel reservations:

Ask for the name, address and phone number of the hotel where the room is located, and call the hotel to verify that the room actually exists. Check the hotel's website or a well-known travel site to be sure that the location is convenient for getting to and from the ballpark.

Be wary of ads that pile on incentives to make the package look better. Often the items – such as lanyards, T-shirts or other trinkets – have limited value.

Again do your research. A variety of travel guidebooks and online reviews address services and amenities at hotels and motels. Check

Make sure you get a confirmation number from the business when reserving a room. Also, make sure you know times of check-in and check-out, and clearly understand the type of room you are paying for (smoking or nonsmoking, queen or double beds, regular room or suite, etc.)

If you have any concern about the quality of a motel or hotel, ask to inspect your room before moving in. You have a better chance to get satisfaction from staff or management if you have not already accepted your room. If you spot a problem, report it to the front desk immediately.

Before doing business with a company, check its

BBB Business Review

by going to

or by calling 248.223.9400.