Fraud Awareness Resources

Ticket scams are a widespread problem, especially for high-demand events that desperate fans may turn to unofficial sellers to gain entry to. Unfortunately, scammers are ready to exploit this desire, offering counterfeit tickets or reselling the same ticket multiple times.

What Is a Ticket Scam?

In this scam, fraudsters sell counterfeit or nonexistent tickets to unsuspecting buyers. They may operate through spoofed websites, social media platforms, or even in person outside event venues. Scammers often use enticing tactics like offering discounted prices or claiming to have access to sold-out events. They may also use stolen photos and descriptions of legitimate tickets to make their offers seem genuine. Once the victim makes a payment, they either receive fake tickets that won’t get them into the event or no tickets at all.

Example of the Scam

Ava is desperate to see her favorite band in concert, but the tickets are sold out. While searching online, she sees an ad for a website that looks nearly identical to the official ticket vendor’s site. Excited, she quickly selects her seats and enters her payment information. A few days later, when her tickets fail to arrive, she contacts the official vendor, only to discover the website was a clever fake and her purchase was never processed.

Tips for Protecting Yourself

• Buy from official sources. Purchase tickets only from official vendors, such as the venue’s box office, the event’s official website, or authorized resellers.
• Be wary of deals that are too good to be true. Be cautious of sellers offering tickets at significantly lower prices than the face value or claiming to have access to sold-out events.
• Avoid risky payment methods. Never pay for tickets with cash, wire transfers, or gift cards. These payment methods are untraceable and offer no recourse if you’re scammed. Credit cards and payment methods such as PayPal and Venmo provide more protection against fraud.
• Check the seller’s reputation. Before making a purchase, research the seller’s reputation. Look for reviews and testimonials from other buyers. If you’re buying from a reseller, verify their legitimacy through the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB).
• Carefully inspect the tickets. If you receive physical tickets, carefully inspect them for any signs of forgery, such as blurry printing, misspellings, or incorrect information. If you’re buying digital tickets, verify that the information matches the event details.

If You’ve Been Scammed

• Contact us. If your account information has been compromised or you believe you’ve mistakenly paid a scammer, let us know.
• Report the scam to the FTC. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.FTC.gov and your local law enforcement agency.
• Report the scam to your state attorney general. You can find their contact information at naag.org.
• Report the scam to the platform. If you purchased the tickets through a social media platform or website, report the scam to the platform’s customer service or fraud department. They may be able to help you recover your money.
• Provide seller information: If you know the seller’s identity or have any information about them, provide it to the authorities. This can aid their investigation and potentially lead to the scammer’s arrest.
• Dispute the charges. If you paid with a credit card, contact your credit card company immediately to dispute the charges and request a refund. They will investigate the transaction and may be able to reverse the payment.

Contact us to learn more about safeguarding your financial information and securing your accounts. Our experts are here to help.