Green Bay Packers tickets are getting tougher to get a hold of due to the team's success, which is paving the way for rip-offs.

Be careful when buying tickets online and from newspaper classifieds, according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

An increasing scam involves people posing as the Green Bay Packers, such as using the name "Lambeau" as part of the company's name or Web site.

DATCP officials recommend following advice when buying Packers tickets or to the Badgers' Outback Bowl game:

-Don’t deal with sellers who do not reveal their exact address and telephone numbers

-Don’t deal with sellers without a permanent business location

-Don’t send persons or companies you don’t know cashier’s checks or money orders for tickets

-Avoid buying tickets from unknown persons outside the stadium where stolen and counterfeit tickets often surface

-If you DO buy tickets outside the stadium, buy from only licensed vendors and write down their name and license number

-Before paying any money or giving a credit card number, determine if the seller actually has tickets

-Ask the seller to fax you a copy of the tickets being sold, if possible

-Where possible, pay by credit card to protect your rights in disputes. Don’t give your credit card number on the phone unless you know whom you are dealing with.

-Where possible, purchase tickets or packages from an Official Source of the team involved

-Don’t get on the plane without having official game tickets

-Verify that the travel agent you are dealing with is a member of a trade association such as the American Society of Travel Agents

-If you are buying from a ticket broker, make sure they are members of the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB). A list is available by clicking here.

-Deal with brokers who are bonded. The NATB site reveals which ones are.

For more information, call the toll-free DATCP's toll-free hotline at 1-800-422-7128.