How to Protect Yourself from Concert and Festival Ticket Cyber Scams

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Concert tickets have become the ultimate playground for cybercrooks because concert and ticket purchases make it a perfect storm for them to scam you. High demand, limited supply, along your own emotional urgency, creating ideal conditions for fraud. When your favorite artist announces a tour, tickets often sell out in minutes, tempting you to scramble on secondary markets where scammers thrive. Unlike traditional purchases, concert tickets are intangible digital products that are difficult to verify until you’re standing at the venue gate, often too late to get your money back. There are several steps you need to take when purchasing tickets for your favorite artitst and events. Here's what you need to know.

Tips Before You Purchase Your Tickets.

Always to the Source First. Your best bet is to start with the official primary ticket sellers. This includes the artist's official website, the venue's box office website, or official partners like Ticketmaster, AXS, and SeeTickets.

Know the Official On-Sale Date & Time. Cybercrooks often post fake tickets for sale before the official on-sale date. If you see tickets available on a random website or social media days before the official drop, you can bet it is a scam.

Use Reputable Resale Marketplaces. If the event is sold out, and you're looking to see if there are people looking to to resale their tickets, make sure to stick to well-known, fan-to-fan resale marketplaces that offer a buyer guarantee. Sites like Ticketmaster's Verified Resale, StubHub, and SeatGeek will offer you a refund or comparable tickets if your tickets turn out to be fraudulent. They cost more, but you are paying for security.

During the Purchase Process.

Pay with a Credit Card. Credit cards provide you with a secure safety net from scams because they offer robust fraud protection and allow you to dispute the charges if you get scammed. Avoid at all costs (especially with strangers) using methods like Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, wire transfers, or gift cards. These are like sending cash, meaning once your money is gone, it's impossible to get back.

Verify the Website URL (Web Address). Criminals are still creating fake websites that are identical to real ones. Before entering any payment info, double-check the URL. Avoid clicking on links to websites that look official because it allows crooks to insert bogus websites in the links.

Never Buy from Social Media Ads or Strangers. Those emotional strings are tugging at you when you want to see your favorite artist or show, but don't buy from people in comment sections, DMs, or on Facebook Marketplace. It’s very easy for a scammer to take your money and then block you.

How to Spot those Red Flags.

If the Price is Too Good to Be True, It Is. No one is selling front-row seats to a sold-out Taylor Swift or Beyonce show for face value. Unbelievably cheap tickets for high-demand events are almost always a lure for a scam.

Beware of High-Pressure Tactics. Scammers will create a sense of urgency to make you act without thinking. Watch out for phrases like "I have five other people asking," "You have to pay in the next 10 minutes," or fake countdown timers on sketchy websites.

Look for Screenshots, Not Screen Recordings. When buying mobile tickets, a simple screenshot of a ticket or a QR code can be fake or sold to multiple people. Ask the seller for a screen recording of them opening the app (e.g., Ticketmaster), tapping on the ticket, and showing the moving barcode or ticket details. This is harder to fake.

Refusal to Meet in Person (for local sales). If you're buying from someone local (e.g., on Craigslist) for a last-minute show, offering to meet at a safe public place (like a police station lobby) is a good test. A scammer will always have an excuse for why they can't meet.

By being skeptical and sticking to secure methods, you can ensure your concert experience is memorable for all the right reasons. If you have any questions about how to stay safe when purchasing tickets for concerts or festivals, drop me a line, I'm always available.

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