Imagine the disappointment of eagerly anticipating an event, only to be turned away at the door because you unknowingly purchased counterfeit tickets. It’s a dreadful situation no one wants to experience.
Falling victim to these scams isn’t just about losing money; it can also mean missing out on the chance to see your favorite performers, bands, or sports teams.
Ticketmaster scams involve trying to outsmart the system and take advantage of both those selling and buying tickets scammers use various tactics to deceive unsuspecting event-goers.
On one side, you have genuine ticket sellers hoping to share the joy of an event, while on the other, eager buyers are looking forward to a fantastic experience. The Ticketmaster scammers create fake tickets or manipulate the online ticket-buying process, turning it into a challenging situation for everyone involved.
1) Fake “Ticketmaster” Tickets
Just like using StubHub, always be careful when you come across tickets for your favorite event at a jaw-dropping low price. Scammers will approach you through social media or online marketplaces, dangling an unbelievable deal that’s hard to resist.
They might even go the extra mile by showcasing genuine-looking Ticketmaster tickets in photos and suggesting an in-person meeting to seal the deal. It all sounds exciting, but if the price tag is unbelievably low, you’ve got a red flag waving.
If other sellers are charging way more for the same ticket, just know that something fishy is going on. Scammers try to stand out with prices that are too good to be true.
You should also be concerned if the seller insists they’re a Ticketmaster agent. Ticketmaster doesn’t operate through third-party sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
Lastly, avoid sellers that suggest paying through wire transfer or gift cards, hit the brakes.
2) Fake Support Numbers
Scammers employ tricks to unsuspecting customers into revealing personal information, especially through the use of fake customer support numbers.
The scam starts with the creation of a counterfeit website or online ad that looks like the real deal. A phony Ticketmaster support number is prominently displayed, ready to lure in unsuspecting victims.
To maximize their trickery, scammers utilize search engine optimization techniques. This ensures that their fake support numbers pop up at the top of search results when customers look for Ticketmaster’s valid support number.
When customers dial the fake support number, the scammer plays the part of a genuine Ticketmaster support agent. Armed with professional-sounding greetings and language, they work hard to make you believe they’re dealing with the real deal.
3) Third-Party Payment
This scam entails the seller’s reluctance to complete the transaction on the official Ticketmaster website. This hesitation might be a sign that something fishy is going on, and you could be dealing with counterfeit tickets or, worse, an empty promise.
You should avoid sellers that suggest using payment methods like such as, Zelle, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. While they might argue it’s necessary for securing the tickets or promise unbeatable deals, the real motive is to sidestep Ticketmaster’s security measures and stay off the radar.
4) Phishing Emails
Phishing is a prevalent cybercrime that sees a staggering 3.4 billion phishing emails sent out every day.
The scheme entails cunning attackers attempting to deceive users into sharing personal information, such as login credentials or financial details, through fake emails, text messages, and social media messages.
Scammers craft messages designed to look like official communications, creating a false sense of urgency or throwing in an irresistible offer.
The goal is to entice users into clicking a link or divulging their personal information. These deceptive links lead to counterfeit websites that mimic the legitimate Ticketmaster pages, where users unwittingly provide their login credentials or sensitive data.
5) Sold-Out Tickets
When it comes to snagging tickets for sold-out shows, keep your guard up against a potential scam. One major red flag is the alluring promise of tickets for events that are seemingly impossible to attend.
Scammers exploit the desperation of fans by creating posts that suggest this is their last chance to secure these coveted tickets.
The goal? To make fans feel a sense of urgency and persuade them to throw caution to the wind and part with their hard-earned money. Once the payment is made, the scammer vanishes into thin air.
The art of these Ticketmaster scams is evolving, making them trickier to identify. In some cases, hackers may seize control of a genuine social media account to promote fake tickets for sold-out events. This leads unsuspecting followers and friends to believe they’re dealing with a trustworthy source.
On top of that, scammers employ phishing techniques, sending deceptive emails that pose as Ticketmaster notifications. These emails entice excited buyers into purchasing tickets from a deceitful lookalike site.
6) Lookalike Websites
This scam involves scammers that resembles the real Ticketmaster site!
These fake websites have similar colors, designs, and even web addresses that seem legit, like “ticketsmarter.com” or “ticketmasturs.com.” The trick is to make you think you’re on the official Ticketmaster site (ticketmaster.com).
When you visit these fake sites, they ask you to sign up or log in with your info, scammers grab that information. It’s not just about causing chaos in your Ticketmaster account; they can also get hold of your money details when you try to buy tickets.
7) Speculative Ticketing
Speculative ticketing refers to sellers listing tickets for sale without actually having those tickets in hand. These sellers are essentially gambling that they can get the tickets later and then sell them to fans.
The problem is, this practice is not only considered fraudulent but is also illegal in many states.
When these sellers desperately try to get the tickets they promised, fans end up competing against them. This unfair competition makes it tough for fans to snag tickets through genuine sources like Ticketmaster.
In the latest twist of speculative ticketing on Ticketmaster, some resellers are listing speculative codes for Verified Fan tickets. Always know that only Ticketmaster can give you Verified Fan codes. If you get a code from anywhere else, it won’t work.
Don’t trust ticket listings that claim to have tickets before they officially go on sale to the public. It’s likely that the seller is just making guesses and doesn’t actually have real tickets.
If you buy tickets from these speculative sellers, there’s no guarantee you’ll get verified tickets – or any tickets at all. It’s a risky game that could leave you empty-handed.
How To Verify Your Tickets Are Legitimate
Here are some ways to confirm the authenticity of your tickets:
Purchase source – If you snagged your tickets directly from Ticketmaster, Live Nation, or the concert’s venue, you’re on the right track. Ticketmaster, along with its partner sites, offers “Verified Tickets.” This means that if you bought them from these official vendors, your tickets are most likely genuine.
Check your Ticketmaster account – If you made an online purchase through Ticketmaster, head over to your Ticketmaster account. Once you’ve signed in, go to “My Events” and click on the specific event to view your tickets. If they’re safely nestled in your account, you’re good to go – they’re the real deal.
Verification with Ticketmaster – For an extra layer of assurance, reach out to Ticketmaster directly. You can either visit the venue in person or utilize Ticketmaster’s virtual assistant to verify the legitimacy of your tickets. This step can help you confidently confirm whether your tickets are genuine or potential impostors.
Email source – Take a peek at the source of the email containing your ticket information. Legitimate tickets purchased from Ticketmaster will always come from an “@ticketmaster.com” email address. If the email is from a personal or non-official address, like Gmail or Yahoo!, it’s a red flag indicating a possible scam.
Physical ticket inspection – If you have physical tickets in hand, scrutinize them closely. Legitimate tickets are meticulous in detail, free from spelling errors, and printed on high-quality paper stock on both sides. Pay attention to the spelling, date, website link, and the overall quality of the ticket.
Date format – Zoom out and double-check the date format on your physical tickets. Genuine Ticketmaster tickets never use commas within dates. Scammers, on the other hand, often make this mistake.
Safeguarding yourself against Ticketmaster scams is not only about protecting your wallet but also ensuring that your much-anticipated event experience goes off without a hitch.
You need to stay vigilant and informed about common scam tactics, such as phishing emails or fraudulent websites posing as Ticketmaster.
Verifying the legitimacy of the ticket seller, double-checking the website’s URL, and only making purchases through official channels are crucial steps in safeguarding yourself. On top of that, always monitor your bank statements for any unauthorized transactions and promptly report any suspicious activity.
