Don’t get played: Outsmart ticket scammers and secure your spot!
August 29, 2024
We are warning music fans to ‘Definitely, Maybe’ be vigilant when buying tickets for sought after concerts. Tickets for these events are limited and sell out quickly, leaving fans disappointed, and creating a perfect storm for scammers to take advantage.
When buying tickets, either in person or online, you should be absolutely certain that the seller is genuine. There are several steps you can take to protect yourself when buying tickets online and to help you figure out if the seller is genuine.
Buy from an official source
Check with the organiser, promoter, or venue as to when and where you can buy tickets. Tickets are generally only sold through a limited number of official channels. Before you buy, read reviews of the website to see if other people have had a bad experience with them – a quick online search can tell you a lot. Check where the company’s office is and if they have a physical address and landline number, not a PO box or a mobile number.
Use secure payment methods
Never pay for a ticket with cash or by money transfer as you may not be able to get your money back if you run into problems. Use a credit or debit card instead, as this gives you the option of requesting a chargeback from your bank if things go wrong. When buying tickets online, make sure the web address starts with ‘https’ rather than http – the S stands for secure – and look for the padlock symbol at the start of the web address. This means the site is secure and any information sent between your browser and the website is sent securely.
Check the rules for reselling tickets
Before you buy a second-hand ticket, check the official ticketing site for the event you are going to and see if people are allowed to resell tickets. If they are not, you may be refused entry even if you have bought a legitimate ticket. Be very wary about buying tickets on social media or through classified ads.
What to do if you’ve been scammed
If you think you may have fallen victim to a scam or fraud, and have given someone your bank or card details, you should contact your bank or card provider immediately. They can advise you and, if necessary, put a hold on your account, cancel your cards. Ticket scams and other forms of fraud are a matter for An Garda Síochána so make sure to report it to your local Garda station as you might stop it happening to someone else.
Be wary of deals that are too good to be true
If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often lure buyers with extremely low prices. Compare prices with official sources to see how they compare.
Look for red flags
Be cautious of sellers who pressure you to act quickly or refuse to provide detailed information about the tickets. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to rush you into making a decision.
Report suspicious activity or posts
If you suspect a scam, report it to the event organiser, the ticketing platform, the social media platform or the Gardai. This can help prevent others from falling victim.
For more information on how to avoid ticket and other type of scams, visit our dedicated scams page.
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