Super Bowl Scams Spike in February, Targeting Your Data

The Super Bowl is not only the biggest sporting event of the year, but it has also become one of the busiest con seasons.

Every February, millions of Americans receive gambling-related text messages, emails, and calls such as “Your ticket could not be delivered,” “Your streaming account needs verification,” or “Your betting account has been blocked.” At first glance, these messages may seem like random spam, but they are actually carefully targeted.

Instead of spreading messages blindly, scammers rely on data brokers, companies that collect, package and sell personal information. These brokers create detailed profiles and scammers buy or steal those lists to decide exactly who to target and when.

Below I will explain how this system works and, more importantly, how it can be removed from the data pipeline that scammers rely on.

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Why Super Bowl season is a gold mine for scammers

Big events create urgency, excitement and distraction – perfect conditions for fraud. During Super Bowl week, scammers use the same themes that real companies use:

• Ticket confirmations
• Streaming service alerts
• Betting Account Warnings
• Delays in the delivery of food or merchandise.

But here’s the key: they don’t spread these messages randomly. They target people who look like potential buyers. That guidance comes from your digital profile.

How Scammers Know You’re a “Super Bowl Target”

You may have never posted about football and still receive a fake entry message. This is because data brokers create profiles using their:

• Address history
• Home size
• Income range
• Age
• Purchasing behavior
• Most used applications
• Frequently visited websites
• Household members.

These details are obtained from retailers, apps, public records, and tracking tools, then sold to marketers, and finally leaked or resold to scammers. So when Super Bowl season rolls around, scammers simply filter their lists: “People who look like they’re watching the game, making a bet, or ordering food.” And your phone number is there.

The most common Super Bowl scam messages

During Super Bowl week, scammers flood inboxes and phones with messages that appear to come from legitimate companies. The goal is simple: create urgency, get you clicking, and steal your information before you have time to think. These are the scams I see increasing every February:

1) Fake entry alerts

“Your Super Bowl ticket transfer failed. Check now.”

These messages purport to come from Ticketmaster, StubHub or SeatGeek. They claim that your ticket could not be delivered, your transfer is pending, or your account needs verification. The link takes you to a fake login page that looks identical to the real site. The moment you enter your email and password, scammers capture your credentials. Many victims then discover that their real ticket accounts are emptied, their payment methods are used, or their email is hijacked.

How to detect it:

• The sender address is misspelled.
• The link leads to a similar domain.
• The message generates panic and urgency.

To do: Never click. Go directly to the ticket site through your browser or app.

2) Streaming account warnings

“Your Super Bowl broadcast is on hold. Update billing now.”

These messages are impersonated by major streaming platforms such as YouTube TV, Hulu, ESPN, Peacock or cable providers. They claim that your payment failed or that your account was suspended just before the start. The link sends you to a fake billing page that steals your credit card details, login credentials, or both. Some versions install malware that records keystrokes and login activity.

Why this works: Millions of people stream the Super Bowl. Scammers know most recipients I won’t even question it.

To do: Open the streaming app directly and verify your account there. Ignore any links in the message.

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3) Betting account is frozen

“Your bet is pending. Please confirm your identity.”

These target people who have been flagged by data brokers as potential sports bettors. The messages claim that your account with DraftKings, FanDuel or BetMGM is locked due to “suspicious activity.”

The fake verification page requests:

• Your full name
• Birthdate
• Social security number
• Bank or card details.

This gives scammers everything they need to commit identity theft.

To do: Never reply to messages from betting accounts outside of the official app.

4) Merchandise and food delivery scams

“Your Super Bowl order is delayed. Track it here.”

Scammers imitate popular retailers and delivery apps, such as Amazon, DoorDash, Uber Eats, FedEx, and USPS. They claim their food, t-shirt or party supplies could not be delivered.

By clicking the tracking link you can:

• Install malware
• Redirect you to a fake login page
• Steal your payment information.

Why it works: People expect packages and food orders that week, so the message rings true.

To do: Use the retailer’s official app or website to verify orders.

Why families are even more affected

Your data is not isolated. Data brokers connect people who live at the same address, spouses, children, and roommates. Thus, an exposed profile becomes a goal for the entire home. During Super Bowl weekend, when everyone is on phones, scanning QR codes and ordering food, one wrong click can put the entire family at risk.

The real problem: you’re still on the lists

Most people try to protect themselves by:

• Delete emails
• Lock numbers
• Installing antivirus software.

That helps, but it doesn’t stop your data from being sold again tomorrow. As long as your information exists in data brokers’ databases, scammers can continue to find you. That’s why I recommend deleting your data at the source.

The ‘game day cleanup’ that stops attacks

If you want fewer scam messages, not just better filters, you should remove your personal data from data brokers. That’s where a data erasure service comes into play. While no service can guarantee complete removal of your data from the Internet, a data deletion service is truly a smart choice. They are not cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically deleting your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to delete your personal data from the Internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing leak data with information they can find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already available on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already available on the web: Cyberguy.com.

What to do before Super Bowl weekend

Here’s how to protect yourself right now:

• Don’t click on Super Bowl messages. Even if they look real, go directly to the company’s website. Use powerful antivirus software to help block malicious links, fake websites, and malware before they can steal your information. Get my picks for the best antivirus protection winners of 2026 for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
• Avoid QR codes from emails or text messages. Many link to fake login pages.
• Use credit cards, not debit cards. They offer greater protection against fraud.
• Delete your data from broker sites. This is the most effective way to reduce scam targets.

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Kurt’s Key Takeaways

Super Bowl scams aren’t random. Instead, they are precisely targeted using personal data sold behind the scenes. While you can’t stop scammers from trying, you can make it harder for them to find you. By deleting your data now, you reduce fraudulent messages, limit false alerts, and reduce your risk, not just this Super Bowl, but all year long. That kind of protection is a victory worth celebrating.

Have you received fraudulent text messages or emails related to the Super Bowl? What were they like? Did you almost fall in love with one? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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