Scams
Before you snap up those coveted Taylor Swift concert tickets or other highly sought-after events, be aware that scammers are waiting to pounce. To avoid leaving a gaping hole in your bank account, stay one step ahead of fraudsters by learning how to detect and deter their schemes.
With significant advancements in technology, purchasing tickets to your favorite show has likely never been more convenient – assuming you’re willing to tolerate online queues and aren’t a die-hard Swiftie. While it’s never been easier for fraudsters to manipulate the system and infiltrate the buying process, targeting the affluent and famous in order to advance their own interests.
Although Ticketmaster, StubHub, and other ticketing companies are taking significant steps to increase security – such as promoting mobile ticketing – there are always opportunities for the unscrupulous to exploit.
Be prepared to outsmart the latest Ticketmaster scams by staying one step ahead of con artists, learning how to identify and evade their tricks when searching for event tickets online.
Scammers are always one step ahead in the digital age. Prime 5 Ticketmaster scams to watch out for:
Fake ticket websites: Be wary of websites that claim to sell tickets at discounted rates, as they’re often just phishing sites designed to steal your login credentials.
Overpriced resellers: Some scammers buy up tickets and then list them at inflated prices, knowing buyers are desperate. Make sure you’re buying from authorized sellers or the artist’s official website.
Phony contests: Enter at your own risk; scams may promise free tickets in exchange for personal info, which they’ll use to sell it to third-party marketers.
Counterfeit tickets: Bogus ticket sellers create fake passes that look legitimate but aren’t. Verify with Ticketmaster before shelling out cash for a ticket.
Re-seller services: Some unscrupulous folks claim to offer “exclusive access” to sold-out shows, but are actually just looking to take your money. Trust only reputable resellers or the artist’s official website.
You may potentially come across different versions of these. Be in your lookout for:
1. Lookalike web sites
Spoofed websites mimic the appearance of legitimate Ticketmaster sites or those of trusted vendors, complete with authentic branding and logos. Despite initial impressions to the contrary, a closer examination reveals that they will indeed be hosted. Frequently, the distinction between them could prove challenging to discern, often requiring an incredibly small difference of just one or two letters.
Scammers frequently send phishing emails, texts, or social media messages that prompt you to visit a website to buy tickets for a sold-out or upcoming event, claiming it’s available despite being fully booked. These malicious sites may also be optimized for search engines to boost their visibility, thereby ranking highly when searched for online by users seeking the authentic website.
The scammer’s goal is to obtain your Ticketmaster login credentials and sensitive financial information, including credit card details. The potential for exploitation exists in that scenario.
2. Bogus tickets
When the tickets you desperately need to secure have sold out on the official Ticketmaster website? You might turn to social media platforms, such as Facebook or Twitter, or trusted online marketplaces like StubHub or Craigslist. However beware.
Typically, fraudulent individuals peddle fake tickets on these platforms. Scammers will often create convincing images of authentic tickets to lure victims in, then sell these fake tickets at a ridiculously cheap price. Frequently, cybercriminals illicitly breach genuine social media profiles to achieve this nefarious goal.
Will attempt to stress-test you with full costs, often disguising this as a financial institution’s transfer or similar mechanism? and even . They typically vow to satisfy your specific needs by personally delivering results, provided you entrust them with that responsibility. Despite careful planning, it appears that no ticket has been issued.
3. Pretend assist numbers
This offers an alternative approach to those previously considered. Scammers concoct fake websites featuring fake contact information for assistance in case of an issue. When searching for customer support numbers, these listings may appear at the top of search results.
Alternatively, scammers might directly address you, naming you in the process, or even request that you name them as part of their fraudulent scheme. Scammers will pose as skilled and courteous representatives when calling, having honed a tactic to deceive victims into disclosing sensitive financial information, including login credentials.
4. Replicated tickets/duplicate listings
Scammers actively seek out individuals re-selling tickets online, targeting those who have publicly displayed images of the event passes. They then reproduce the ticket, complete with its unique barcode and serial number, and resell it multiple times without any limitations. Only those who happen to be first through the door are granted entry – the rest remain frozen out in the cold.
5. Account takeover
While this initiative may not be a direct rip-off, its potential consequences could lead to an unfortunate outcome if unsuspecting individuals fall prey to these tactics. If users repeatedly employ the same login credentials across various online platforms, hackers can potentially exploit this vulnerability, or leverage weak passwords that are susceptible to “brute-force” attacks through sophisticated password-guessing software.
Once scammers gain access to your Ticketmaster account, they may use your credentials to buy tickets in your name or redirect purchased tickets to their own accounts. To avoid potential issues with ticketing websites, it’s crucial to safeguard your account from fraudulent activity, as proving genuine victimhood can be a significant challenge; therefore, prioritize maintaining the integrity of your account initially.
While surfing the net, I’ve noticed that many people are worried about their online security – how to safeguard personal data and prevent cyber-attacks.
To avoid falling prey to Ticketmaster scams, heed these simple precautions:
- Avoid purchasing tickets from unofficial sources to ensure authenticity and protect yourself from potential scams. According to recent data, nearly two-thirds of people who fell prey to ticketing scams claim they were initially deceived through social media platforms.
- Be cautious when accessing Ticketmaster and scrutinize the URL each time you visit. Always navigate directly to the intended URL rather than following links within emails.
- Avoid making payments through methods such as wire transfer, gift cards, or instant payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, etc.
- Cautioned consumers should exercise discretion when shopping online through social media, steering clear of vendors with incomplete or absent bios, limited followings, and primarily posting about ticket sales without providing any additional details.
- Be cautious when buying event tickets advertised through images featuring barcodes or QR codes, as they may have been duplicated by scammers.
- Never publicly share an image of your personal ticket, regardless of the context or intention behind doing so.
- Don’t believe the hype: beware of those unsolicited ticket offers in your inbox! Search for suspicious sender names.
- Avoid buying printed tickets at all costs? Cellular networks have proven to be much more resilient against theft and replication.
- Protect your online identity by enabling two-factor authentication and crafting a robust, one-of-a-kind password or passphrase that is securely stored using a reputable password manager.
Report suspicious activity to your financial institution immediately. This could include contacting your bank, credit card company, or investment firm to let them know about the potential fraud. Next, notify the relevant authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and local law enforcement agencies. Be prepared to provide detailed information regarding the scam, including any emails, phone calls, or messages you received.
When you’ve fallen prey to a scam:
- Seek assistance from either Ticketmaster directly or the online platform responsible for facilitating ticket resales. If duplicate tickets arise, there’s always a chance that they’ll reissue your ticket and render the invalid ones obsolete.
- For individuals within the United States,
- Filing a report with your local police department? In order to facilitate reimbursement from your financial institution, this is a mandatory requirement.
- Monitor your financial institution and credit score stability, as well as online account activity, to detect potential identity fraud misuse of your personal information.
- During an account takeover scenario, it is crucial to promptly update the passwords for all other accounts that utilize the same login credentials.
- If you’ve made a purchase using a credit card, file a chargeback to dispute any unauthorized or incorrect transactions.
While ticketing scams may seem contained to Ticketmaster alone, they actually permeate the entire industry. Regardless of the platform where you’re making a purchase, observe this identical recommendation.
