Web Sites, Organizers Try To Squelch Scalping Of Jackson Memorial Tickets

NEW YORK (AP) – Internet sites eBay and Craigslist are taking down postings that are attempting to sell tickets to Michael Jackson’s public memorial service.

On eBay, bids for tickets to the event tomorrow in Los Angeles were reaching as high as $3,000, although it’s impossible to be sure how serious those bids are.

On Craigslist, asking prices also were in the thousands. Some unable to attend, though, said they simply wanted to give away their tickets, but as one post read: only to “true fans.”

Organizers have also made efforts to prevent scalping. A Staples Center spokesman says organizers are checking IDs to make sure those picking up wristbands are the same people who originally applied online.

Demand for the tickets is likely to increase on word that Stevie Wonder, Mariah Carey, Kobe Bryant, Brooke Shields, Usher and John Mayer are among those planning to be at the ceremony.