March Madness is here, and with it comes the potential for online sports betting scams. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown is urging consumers to be cautious and vigilant as the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments kick off, warning against aggressive marketing tactics aimed at persuading bettors to make riskier wagers.

With the availability of mobile apps and online platforms for sports betting in Maryland, cybercriminals see an opportunity to defraud individuals of their money and personal information. Brown’s office emphasizes that there is no such thing as a completely risk-free bet when it comes to gambling.

Consumers are advised to protect themselves by researching and reviewing sportsbook platforms, checking for complaints with the Better Business Bureau, and being cautious of promotions that seem too good to be true. Additionally, it is recommended to be aware of penalties that may limit the withdrawal of winnings.

Legitimate and licensed sports betting programs and entities can be verified through the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency. It is also advised to ignore online gambling pop-up ads, unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media messages, and to report suspected scams to the AG’s Consumer Protection Division or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.