Purchasing tickets from unofficial third party sellers always carries some risk that the tickets could be fraudulent. When buying tickets on sites like StubHub or from individuals, it’s important to take steps to verify the tickets are legitimate before parting with your money.
Check for Signs of Authenticity
There are a few things you can look for when buying tickets secondhand that can help determine if they’re the real deal:
- Hologram/foil – Genuine tickets will have a hologram or foil strip on the front. This is harder for scammers to duplicate.
- Order number – There should be an order number printed on the ticket that you can reference.
- Ticketmaster verification – Ticketmaster now offers a Ticketmaster Verified Tickets program where you can verify the tickets you purchased are legitimate.
- Listing details – Read the listing closely checking for any inconsistencies or red flags. Do the number of tickets, seat details, etc. all line up?
If any of these items seem off or missing, it’s best to proceed with caution before completing the transaction.
Verify Through Ticketmaster
For extra peace of mind, take advantage of Ticketmaster’s verification services:
Ticketmaster Verified Tickets
For tickets purchased directly through Ticketmaster, you can utilize their Verified Tickets program. Sellers have to register each ticket and provide proof of purchase. You’ll receive a verification code that allows you to confirm the ticket details and purchase validity on Ticketmaster’s site.
Ticketmaster Fan-to-Fan Exchange
Rather than a general resale site, Ticketmaster offers its own safe Ticketmaster Fan-to-Fan Exchange platform. All tickets are verified and come with a guarantee so you know the tickets are legitimate.
You’ll want to compare the Verified Tickets details or look for the Fan-to-Fan Exhange seller badge when buying secondhand to confirm it’s the real source.
Inspect Tickets In-Person Before Buying
If purchasing locally from an individual seller, try to inspect the tickets in-person before money exchanges hands. Things to look for:
- Does the text, event details, bar code, and seating info all appear professional and aligned correctly?
- Do any of the edges appear unevenly cut or ripped?
- Can you scratch the metallic strips to reveal rainbow coloring?
- Does the weight and texture of the paper feel right?
Scannable barcodes: Use a ticket scanner app on your phone to scan the barcode and verify it comes back valid and for the expected event.
Search Online For Known Scams
Before purchasing, search online for the seller’s name plus words like “scam”, “fake”, or “review”. If that seller has sold invalid tickets before there might be complaints posted warning others.
Similarly, search for the specific tickets you’re looking to buy like “Wicked at Pantages fake ticket scam”. If issues for that show have popped up before, you may find a trail of customers reporting fraudulent tickets.
Use Payment Methods With Buyer Protection
Avoid paying with cash, wire transfer, gift cards, Venmo, or other payment methods with no buyer protection. Instead, use a credit card or Paypal Goods and Services which allow you to dispute the charges if the tickets end up being fake.
Confirm Order Details
Reach out to the original ticket issuer to confirm:
- The order # for the tickets is valid
- The ticket quantities, section, row, and seat numbers all match up
- The purchaser name, address, and contact info is accurate
Having the order verified directly through the firsthand seller can detect any issues and prevent you from buying falsified tickets.
Purchase Early Before Sell Out
Try to avoid last minute panic purchases right before an event. Tickets purchased through unauthorized resellers have a higher likelihood of being fake or reported lost/stolen when sold close to doors opening. Give yourself time to go through proper verification steps.
Meet Seller at Venue
To complete a local in-person exchange more securely, arrange to meet the seller on-site at the venue instead of another random location. This allows you to:
- Confirm seats by having the seller walk you to the section
- Speak to box office in person if any issues
- Only provide payment once verified
Meeting at the venue decreases the chances of getting duped with fake tickets compared to meeting elsewhere.
Get Printed Tickets
Digital tickets provide another opportunity for scammers to take advantage. Try to only purchase old school printed hard tickets when possible vs mobile delivery:
- Harder to counterfeit the holograms and foil strips
- No possibility of duplicated digital copies
- Can meet seller in person for exchange
The in-hand ticket stock from the original seller is more reliable.
Bring ID and Credit Card
When picking up tickets directly, make sure to bring the same credit card used for purchase and a government ID. Venues can cross-reference this info with the order to verify:
- The name matches the purchaser
- It aligns with the payment details
- It’s not a stolen credit card
With the ID and credit card, box offices have an easier time investigating and validating the tickets.
Sign Up For Fan Clubs
To gain access to presales and have the best chance at face value tickets, sign up for fan clubs and mailing lists. This includes:
- Venue and promoter clubs
- Artist fan clubs
- Ticket retailer fan clubs
By getting in early with presale ticket windows, you can avoid crazy markups and risk of fakes later from secondary sellers.
Leverage Refundable Tickets
Some primary ticket sellers like StubHub offer refundable tickets. While pricier upfront, having a refund guarantee provides peace of mind in case the tickets end up being fraudulent or unusable for any reason.
Consider Ticket Insurance
Another option is to purchase ticket insurance from a reputable provider like Allianz Global Assistance. For a small fee, you can insure the ticket purchase amount and get compensation if the tickets turn out to be counterfeit or unusable.
Avoid Uncommon Initial Sources
Be wary of any obscure first-party sellers you’ve never heard of. Stick with major trusted websites like:
- Ticketmaster
- AXS
- LiveNation
- TM+ Facebook
- SeatGeek
Unknown small-scale first sellers can be more risky for fake ticket schemes.
Conclusion
While buying concert or event tickets from resellers carries some risks, there are a number of precautions you can take to avoid purchasing counterfeits. Following the tips above and utilizing common sense goes a long way towards safely getting real tickets.