Tens of thousands of people have reported that they have fallen victim to a ticket fraud over the past few years and this has cost consumers millions. With this in mind, here’s my top tips to avoid ticket fraud:
- Do your homework
Before you buy your tickets search the internet to find out when the tickets officially go on sale, how much they are being advertised for via official channels, and who the promoted sellers of the tickets are.
- Buy from a reputable seller
Only buy your tickets from the venue’s box office, promoter, or official agent. If you have never heard of the website before, put the name into Google and see if anyone has anything to say about them online – good or bad.
- Check the website
Before pressing the ‘buy now’ button on the seller’s website, carry out the following quick checks:
- Does the website start with “https” on your browser and is there a padlock logo displayed? – this tells you the site is secure;
- Does the trader display their name, address and contact details including a landline?
If the answer is no to either question, find another website.
- Don’t buy early
If a seller advertises that they are selling tickets ‘before the official release date’, it could be a scam.
- Is the seller a STAR member?
The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers has strict standards that ticket sellers must follow. In addition, if you fall into dispute with a seller who is a member, STAR will assist with the dispute.
