Scammers go into overtime to cash in on sports betting excitement

Better Business Bureau warns sports fans about sports betting scams. Micro betting is a new, hot-targeted type of betting.  Micro betting bets on the outcome of specific, individual short-term plays during the game.

Illinois legalized online and in-person sports betting. Nearly 20 percent of adults in the U.S. bet on sports at least once a month. BBB Scam Tracker is seeing reports from people who accidentally placed bets with scam sportsbetting websites or apps.

Scammers are trying to cash in on sports betting excitement. BBB explains how the scam works. You search online for a sports bet service and place a bet. You can't withdraw the money because of technical issues or additional identity verification.

BBB gives tips to avoid sports betting scams. Look for established, approved services. Don't fall for tempting ads. Read the fine print on incentives. Scammers love to entice their victims with get-rich-quick schemes. If you’ve encountered a sports gambling scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker.  Your report exposes scammer tactics. It also exposes their tactics and exposes them to the public. The scam is not worth it. You run the risk of losing money and valuable personal information. For more information, visit BBb.org.