SOUTH Yorkshire Police’ fraud team are warning people who are buying tickets for gigs, festivals, football matches and more to look out for the tell-tale signs of ticket fraud.
When you miss out on tickets for an event you desperately wanted to go to, it can be tempting to turn to social media, online marketplaces or fan forums to ensure you don’t miss out.
Unfortunately, police say that some people who venture down this route end up being the victim of scams, as they are dealt the double blow of missing out on tickets and losing their hard-earned money.
A police spokesperson said: “In a typical ticket scam, the seller will tell you that they will post or email the tickets as soon as you have transferred the money to their bank account.
“Then once you have sent the money, they will disappear into thin air or block you on social media so you cannot contact them.”
Charlotte Platts, Fraud Protect Officer at South Yorkshire Police, said: "This is a scam that has sadly become more common with thousands of people in the UK tricked into buying fake or non-existent tickets every year.
"The desire to get tickets at any cost can lure you into fake deals on social media, and it's always worth remembering that if something doesn't seem quite right, then it is probably a scam."
To ensure you don't fall foul of this type of fraud, the fraud team is encouraging people in South Yorkshire to make themselves aware of these top tips for buying tickets safely, as provided by Get Safe Online.
They include:
Only buying tickets from official vendors, the box office or reputable fan reseller or ticket exchange sites
Not being tempted to click on social media, text, emails or attachments offering tickets
Not paying for tickets by bank transfer and instead paying by credit card for additional protection
Double check that a page is genuine before you buy tickets from it
