March 1st 2018
Today sees the launch of Get Safe Online’s March awareness campaign, focusing on ticket fraud.
Every year, thousands of Brits fall victim to ticket scams, resulting in not only financial losses, but the disappointment – even trauma – of not getting into the live event they have been so eagerly anticipating.
Ticket scams can happen when you have responded to a fake email, text, social media post or auction site advertisement for anything from a major international sporting tournament to a music festival or gig. Alternatively, you might post a want ad on a fan site, desperate for seats on the big day. Normally, you will be asked to pay by bank transfer for the tickets, which in a few cases arrive as counterfeits but, more often, do not arrive at all.
In addition, a recent legislative ban on sellers levying a surcharge for credit card purchases has given fraudsters an additional excuse for requested direct payments as they “can’t afford to fund the banks’ own surcharge”.
Tony Neate, Chief Executive of Get Safe Online, commented: “Ticket Fraud represents a double whammy, as the loss to the victim is both financial and emotional, especially when they’re a big fan. Of course, the loss and disappointment are amplified even further when the buyer is also purchasing tickets for friends and family.”
How to safeguard yourself from ticket fraud
- – Buy tickets only from the venue’s box office, sports club, promoter, official agent or reputable ticket exchange sites.
- – Consider that tickets advertised on any other source such as auction sites, social media and fan forums may be fake or non-existent, however authentic the seller may seem and even if they’re advertised at or above face value.
- – Never pay for tickets by bank transfer, even if you’re desperate to get hold of them. With the abolition of credit card payment surcharges, some sellers may ask you do this. The responsibility for losses lies with you, your bank won’t refund your money.
- – Consider paying by credit card to get additional protection over other payment methods.
- – Double-check all details of your purchase before confirming payment.
- – Don’t be tempted to click on social media, text or email links or attachments offering tickets, as they could link to fraudulent or malware sites.
- – Before buying online, check that the page is genuine (carefully enter the address yourself, not from a link) and secure (https and a locked padlock), and log out when you’re done.
- – Check sellers’ privacy and returns policies.
- – Keep receipts until after the concert or game.
- – If you become a victim of ticket fraud, report it to Action Fraud on www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 020 123 2040
- – Before buying tickets or anything else online, read our basic online safety rules at www.getsafeonline.org/backtobasics
