Thanks to the internet, there are countless ways for consumers to find tickets and connect with online marketplaces, ticket sellers, and resellers. Unfortunately, some of them are rip-offs, and it is not always clear how to tell if a ticket is fake. Last year, Better Business Bureau (BBB) received over 140 reports on BBB Scam Tracker about ticket scams related to sporting events, concerts, theatres and more.
BBB is warning consumers to be smart when searching for and purchasing tickets to ensure they buy from a trustworthy source. As the summer season ramps up and the temperatures climb, many Texas residents will be looking for opportunities to get out of their homes and enjoy the outdoors. With an increase in the frequency of concerts, festivals and other ticketed events, it is essential consumers remain mindful of con artists attempting to sell fraudulent tickets.
“Every year, especially around the summer as music concerts and festivals increase, BBB receives reports from victims falling for a ticket scam,” said Heather Massey, vice president of communications for Better Business Bureau serving the Heart of Texas. “It is a major issue as tickets for some of these events are sold for hundreds of dollars, only for the buyer to find it is fake when they arrive at the venue, excited to watch their favorite musician or sports team perform.”
BBB and the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB) are working to raise awareness and educate fans about the smartest ways to buy tickets on the secondary resale market to combat fake ticket scams:
Purchase directly from the venue whenever possible. Many consumers automatically go to a secondary resale market to purchase tickets for an upcoming event before first checking with the venue. Going directly to the venue may save money and is also a way to make sure that a purchase is for a valid, available ticket. Venues often include what secondary resale organization they are listing their tickets on, giving consumers an additional layer of protection from purchasing fake tickets.
Consider your source. There is a significant difference between purchasing a ticket from a professional ticket broker and a ticket scalper. While dealing with the latter may result in obtaining valid tickets, the risk of encountering a scammer is much greater. Always exercise caution when purchasing from third-party resellers who are not members of NATB or Better Business Bureau.
Research the seller/broker. Brokers who are members of NATB offer a 200% purchase guarantee on tickets, protecting consumers who use their services. Visit NATB.org to confirm you are purchasing a ticket from a NATB-member resale company.
Check for website encryption. Make a habit of always checking for the lock symbol in the website address that indicates a secure purchasing system protects the site. BBB strongly recommends against giving any banking information to websites that are not secured.
Know the refund policy. Only purchase tickets from a ticket reseller that provides clear details about the purchase terms. Avoid sellers who do not disclose where the seats are located or where buyers can pick up tickets. If the deal seems “too good to be true,” trust your instincts and thoroughly investigate the seller before purchasing tickets.
Use protected payment options. Debit cards, wire transfers and cash transactions are risky due to difficulties in recovering money if the tickets turn out to be fraudulent or invalid. BBB recommends using credit cards for all online purchases due to the additional protections they offer consumers to obtain a refund or dispute charges.
Verify tickets. If you doubt the authenticity of an obtained ticket, present it to the “Will Call” or customer service center of the venue hosting the event. They will inform you if the ticket is legitimate and explain how a legitimate ticket for their venue should look.
If you have been a victim of a fake ticket scam, report it to BBB Scam Tracker. Information provided could prevent another person from falling victim.
For more information about ticket scams, visit BBB.org.
