Everything you need to know about ticket scams

Live events are more popular than ever, and Australians are scrambling to get tickets to once-in-a-lifetime tours and sporting events. But this high demand and urgency to secure a ticket provides a prime environment for scammers to strike. Here’s everything you need to know about ticket scams and how to stay safe.

What are ticket scams?

Ticket scams come in many forms, from scammers selling fake tickets, to phishing scams that capture your personal financial information. Here are a few scams affecting ticket sales to look out for:

• Fake tickets. Scammers may also list tickets for sale on legitimate websites and then sell you a fake or non-existent ticket. They may also contact you via social platforms claiming to be a ticket reseller.
• Fake resale websites. Scammers will try to lure desperate concert goers to fake resale sites where they’ll take your money for tickets they can’t fulfil.
• Bogus premium packages. Scams have also taken the form of genuine tickets being sold at an inflated price by claiming that they include VIP access or premium seating.
• Phishing scams. Scammers may send out emails or SMS text messages claiming to have tickets for sale, and use urgency to get you to enter your payment details into fraudulent portals and capture your information.
• Social media impersonation. Scammers who hack into social media accounts may use impersonation to send messages offering tickets to people known to the hacking victim.

What are the red flags for scams when buying tickets online?

If you’re buying tickets online, here are the red flags to look out for.

The official ticket sites are sold out

While not a red flag on its own, scammers are more successful when an event’s official ticket seller has sold out. This is because people will search for less conventional means of obtaining tickets, and are therefore more easily convinced to hand over their money at the promise of securing a ticket.

Being approached via social media

Even if you’re approached by someone you think you know, like a friend or family member, any offer to buy tickets via social media should be treated with caution. Scammers may respond to your social media posts asking if anyone has any tickets for sale or approach you out of the blue.

Don’t buy tickets from anyone you don’t know. If someone you know is offering to sell you tickets, confirm with them directly over the phone or in person first. There’s a chance a scammer might be impersonating them.

If it seems too good to be true

When tickets to a sold out show seem too easy to get, it could be a scam. Think very carefully before handing over money for tickets, no matter how keen you are to go to the event.

Websites with spelling mistakes or unusual payment portals

Fake ticket websites may have spelling errors or payment portals that look unusual. If anything seems strange about a website listing tickets for sale, be wary of inputting your details.

Being asked to transfer money

As with all scams, any requests to transfer money to a bank account or PayID should be treated with caution. If you can’t verify that the person is selling a genuine ticket, it’s not worth the risk.

Top tips to stay safe

• Stop: don’t buy tickets from people you don’t know, unless it’s through an authorised reseller like the events official ticketing agents resell marketplace. Never click a link in an email, text message or social media post claiming to be offering tickets.
• Think: are there any red flags that this could be a scam? If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Protect: if you think you’ve been scammed, contact us immediately on 1300 236 344.

What to do if you think you've been scammed

If you notice unusual activity or if a scammer gains access to your money or information, visit www.bendigobank.com.au/security to report it and get support. If you think you have transferred money to a scammer, call us immediately on 1300 236 344.

If you have provided personal information, particularly photo identity documents like passports and driver's licences, contact IDCARE to take steps to protect your identity.

For the latest scam alerts and information to keep yourself and your family safe online, visit www.bendigobank.com.au/security.

Visit our website for more information on the latest scam alerts and how to stay safe.