Oasis fans are being urged to remain vigilant against scammers and cybercriminals as tickets go on sale this weekend, amid reports that Taylor Swift “Swifties” in the UK were scammed out of more than £1m from fake tickets during her recent global Eras tour.
The huge demand for Oasis tickets makes it a prime target for fraudsters to get their hands on the hard-earned cash of fans who have eagerly awaited this announcement for years.
It is well documented that scammers often take advantage of high-profile events like this by selling counterfeit tickets or falsely advertising ticket sales on social media, causing fans to lose money and miss out on the chance of seeing their favourite band live.
According to Nick Drewe, founder of discount platform Wethrift, there are a number of steps consumers can take to ensure their ticket-purchasing journey is scam-free and financially viable.
First, always purchase tickets from reputable sources such as an official ticket website, a venue’s box office, a partnering ticket site, or authorised resale platforms that offer protection and security measures.
Fans should avoid purchasing tickets on social media as these platforms are unregulated, which provides an ideal opportunity for scammers to create fake profiles, sell counterfeit tickets, and then disappear after receiving the payment. The anonymity of social media makes it harder to trace fraudsters, leaving buyers with no recourse.
Unlike official ticket websites, social media platforms lack the necessary safeguards to verify the legitimacy of tickets or sellers so stick to official sites to avoid disappointment.
Next up, fans should set a ticket budget and stick to it. As has become all too apparent with the recent Taylor Swift example, the desire to secure tickets and ensure a chance of seeing a favourite artist live can often overtake common sense and rationality when it comes to overspending.
Drewe warns that the likes of Ticketmaster’s ‘dynamic pricing’ structure mean that prices for certain events will increase to coincide with a rise in demand. Calculating the top-end amount you are willing to pay out for tickets should help to keep the process as affordable as possible.
Consumers should also budget for the so-called ‘hidden fees’ that are included with many ticket purchases. These can include booking fees, transaction fees, handling fees and delivery charges.
In addition, fans should always pay by credit card, as purchasing tickets over £100 provides shoppers with extra rights and fraud liability protection under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. This rule means that the provider is jointly liable for goods or services provided by a retailer or trader.
Drewe concluded: “In the event you are unsuccessful in your attempts to secure tickets on the day, try not to become too disheartened. There are various other options available via reseller sites that you can keep an eye on, although it’s important to understand how to spot the legitimate ones that aren’t looking to scam you out of your hard-earned cash.
“Certain events and venues have strict rules on reselling tickets and the procedures around doing so, so be sure any ticket you purchase through one of these sites is valid before handing your money over. Reselling sites like Viagogo and Stubhub operate to help those looking to secure tickets to sold-out events.”
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