More than one in 10 gig-goers have fallen victim to fake tickets in the last year, polling shows, as ministers warn of scammers on social media.
Polling reveals scale of ticket fraud
Some 14% of music fans surveyed bought a fake ticket, with over three-quarters (77%) of the tickets bought via online platforms, a study by O2 found. The polling found that no age group was immune to these scams, but those aged 18 to 24 faced the highest risk with 31% having been sold a fake ticket compared to 4% of those aged over 55.
Researchers said some £150 million has been lost to ticket fraud in the last year. Ticket fraud occurs when you buy tickets from a website or social media platform, but the tickets either don’t arrive or turn out to be fake.
Government crackdown on fraud
Ministers described ticket fraud as an "absolutely shameful crime" and warned the public to remain vigilant as festival season continues and ahead of huge tours from artists including Ariana Grande, The Weeknd and Bon Jovi. The government delivered £250 million of investment to crackdown on fraud and protect the public earlier this year, as part of a new Fraud strategy.
It established a new Online Crime Centre to bring together police and industry to disrupt scams at source and boost support for victims. The Stop! Think Fraud campaign aims to make it easier for the public to recognise fraud and take steps to protect themselves, their family and friends.
The Government has also committed to stamping out ticket touting, where tickets are bought at volume, often using automated bots, before being relisted on resale platforms at hugely inflated prices. Plans have been announced to make it illegal for tickets to live events to be resold for more than their original cost, which will eliminate the scourge of industrial-scale ticket touting.
Official warnings and advice
Fraud Minister Lord Hanson said: “Fraud is an absolutely shameful crime, and this data shows that anyone can be a victim. Scammers exploit our excitement and desperation to see our favourite artists live. They post fake messages on social media seeking to catch fans when their guard is down in a last-minute rush for tickets.
“I urge everyone to Stop! Think Fraud before buying tickets – let’s not let scammers get in the way of enjoying concerts this summer.”
Gareth Griffiths, Virgin Media O2's director of partnerships and sponsorship, said: “Ticketing scams are a blight on the UK's live music industry, and it's heartbreaking to see so many fans being targeted. Seeing your favourite artist live should be an exciting experience, not one that leaves you out of pocket or turned away at the door.
"That's why O2 is encouraging fans to stay vigilant, buy tickets only from official authorised services and use capped fan-to-fan resale platforms when a show is sold out."
The Censuswide poll surveyed 2,000 people in the UK between June 23 and 29.
How to stay safe from ticket fraud
- If you’re offered tickets for something in high demand, don’t let the fear of missing out rush your decision. Take a moment to stop, think, and check if the offer is genuine.
- Only buy tickets from an official ticketing website. Artists will always link to official ticket sellers in posts on their social media and official websites.
- Never move away from an official payment platform to make a direct payment via bank transfer or virtual currency. Use the site’s recommended payment methods to stay protected.
- Remember buying second hand tickets comes with risks and while some platforms may offer a refund for ticket scams, they cannot guarantee entry to a show.
This advice was issued by the Home Office.
