Purchasing tickets online can be convenient, but it also comes with risks. Scammers often take advantage of eager buyers who want tickets to sold out concerts, sporting events, and other high-demand shows. If you bought tickets online, especially from an unknown seller, you may be wondering if you got scammed. Here are some signs to look for and steps to take if you suspect you purchased fake or fraudulent tickets.
How to Spot Potential Ticket Scams
Be wary of these common red flags when buying tickets online:
- The seller insists on only communicating via email or text, and refuses to talk over the phone.
- Prices are much lower than face value or other resale sites.
- The seller requests payment via wire transfer, prepaid card, or other non-reversible method.
- Listings contain stock images instead of photos of the actual tickets.
- The seller cannot provide specific seat numbers or barcodes upfront.
- There are typos, grammatical errors, or other suspicious details in the listing.
- The seller does not have an established reputation or many reviews.
- The website seems poorly designed, temporary, or lacks normal contact information.
No single red flag confirms you’re being scammed, but the more questionable factors you notice, the higher the risk. Trust your gut if an offer seems too good to be true.
What to Do if You Suspect You Were Scammed
If you realize before the event that you may have been tricked, take action right away to get your money back and find legitimate tickets:
- Contact your payment provider. If you paid with a credit card or through a service like PayPal, immediately report the transaction as fraudulent. You may be able to dispute the charges and get reimbursed.
- Alert the platform. If you purchased on a site like Craigslist, StubHub, or eBay, notify the company about the suspicious seller. They may be able to recover your money and restrict the scammer.
- Gather evidence. Save all emails, texts, receipts, and screenshots documenting your interactions with the seller. This proof will help support your case.
- Report the scam. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and your local law enforcement agency. This helps authorities track down and stop fake ticket sellers.
- Buy real tickets. Once you get your money back, only purchase from authorized sellers like the venue box office, Ticketmaster, or a reputable resale marketplace. Look for guarantees that you’ll get valid tickets in time for the event.
If the false tickets already prevented you from getting into the event, try to make the best of the bad situation:
- See if the box office has any last minute seats available.
- Check fan forums to see if anyone with extra tickets can help you out.
- Enjoy the atmosphere near the venue, like at restaurants or bars nearby.
- See if you can get a refund or credit for a future event.
Make sure to still report the scam so you and others don’t get tricked by the same seller again.
How to Avoid Fake Tickets in the First Place
Your best protection against ticket scams is being an informed buyer. Keep these tips in mind:
- Only buy from official sources. Purchase directly through the venue website, box office, or known trustworthy sellers like Ticketmaster. Research any unfamiliar resellers.
- Beware of “too good to be true” prices. Extremely low prices are a red flag for fraud. Check other sites to gauge fair resale values.
- Read seller reviews. Only buy from sellers with a long history of positive feedback and satisfied customers.
- Verify before paying. Ask for screenshots, seat numbers, and an official invoice before sending any money.
- Use safe payment methods. Pay with a credit card you can dispute or services like PayPal that offer buyer protection.
- Confirm ticket details. Carefully review the tickets you receive to ensure all info like seat location matches what you paid for.
A few quick online searches can help you spot sketchy sellers and feel confident you’re getting real tickets. Trust your instincts and don’t get rushed into buying from an uncertain source.
What if the Tickets Turn Out to be Fake or Don’t Arrive?
If you realize too late that your tickets are fraudulent or never arrive, you still have options to try seeing the event or getting your money back:
- Act swiftly. As soon as you confirm there is an issue, start disputing the charges and reporting the scam.
- Contact the seller. Press them to make the situation right by sending replacement tickets or a refund. If they become unresponsive, you’ll need to take other action.
- Involve authorities. Reporting the scam to the FTC, police, and venue can get them to block the seller and tickets.
- Dispute with your payment provider. Request a chargeback from your credit card company or open a claim via PayPal.
- See if the venue can help. They may offer alternate seats if available or future ticket credits.
You likely have strong buyer protection through your payment method used. Persistence and quickly gathering evidence about the scam will be key to getting your money back.
Can I Be Arrested for Using Fraudulent Tickets?
Simply having fake tickets in your possession won’t lead to arrest or criminal charges. However, you could face consequences if you try using them to unlawfully enter an event. Most states have laws against ticket fraud.
In many cases, venues confiscate and void bogus tickets at the gate if caught. You’ll usually just be turned away without further issues. But attempting to argue or force your way in with counterfeit tickets may potentially lead to trespassing charges or arrest in more extreme cases.
The onus is on the seller for creating fake tickets illegally. As the buyer, you can avoid risk by reporting suspicious tickets before an event and seeking a refund instead of trying to use them.
Best Practices for Safely Buying Tickets
While scams are unavoidable, you can minimize your risk by being a smart ticket buyer. Here are some best practices:
- Purchase directly from the venue box office or official ticketing sites when possible.
- Research the seller thoroughly before buying from an online marketplace.
- Avoid new sellers with no reviews or feedback yet.
- Read through listings closely to spot red flags like prices that seem too low.
- Ask questions and request photos or screenshots before paying anything.
- Use payment platforms like PayPal that offer fraud protection.
- Thoroughly verify any tickets you receive to confirm they are legitimate.
- If you have doubts, trust your gut and request a refund before the event.
While buying tickets safely takes some extra care and diligence, it’s well worth it for the peace of mind knowing you have valid tickets in hand. Do your research, only use trusted sources, and don’t get pressured into risky purchases. With caution, you can score great seats and have an amazing experience seeing your favorite acts and teams.
How to Recoup Losses from Fake Tickets
Getting scammed out of money hurts, but you have options if you paid with secure methods or from a trustworthy marketplace. Here are some ways to try recovering your losses:
- File a chargeback. If you paid by credit card, request a chargeback explaining it was a fraudulent transaction. Providing evidence helps your case.
- Dispute it. Services like PayPal generally side with buyers. Open a dispute providing details of how you were scammed.
- Leverage buyer protection. Sites like StubHub guarantee valid tickets. Report issues before event date to get covered.
- Request a refund. If you have any way to contact the seller, press them to return your money voluntarily.
- Leave negative feedback. Scamming buyers will hurt the seller’s reputation and alert future customers.
Persistence and acting quickly are key. The sooner you start disputing unauthorized charges and reporting fake tickets, the better your chances of getting money back before the trail goes cold.
Warning Signs of an Online Ticket Scam
While online ticket scams come in many forms, there are common troubling signs to watch for:
- Listings with prices much lower than face value or resale market rate.
- Sellers who only communicate via email or text and avoid phone calls.
- Requests for payment via wire transfer, gift cards, Venmo, or other irreversible ways.
- Stock images used instead of photos of actual tickets for sale.
- Lack of seller reviews, feedback, or online reputation.
- Pushy urgency to buy tickets now or risk missing out.
- Typos, grammatical errors, or other shady details in the ad posting.
- Inability to provide specific ticket details like section, row, and seat numbers.
Trusting your gut instinct goes a long way. If an offer seems suspicious, odd, or too good to be true, it probably is. Take your time and only buy from established sellers to avoid being scammed.
Steps to Take if Your Tickets are Fake, Don’t Arrive, or Get Declined
Here are the best steps if you realize too late your tickets were fraudulent:
- Act quickly to have the best chance getting your money back.
- Confirm for certain if tickets are fake before the event by verifying details.
- Avoid the temptation to still try using bogus tickets, as you may face legal issues.
- File a complaint with agencies like the FTC and contact local law enforcement.
- Dispute the charges through your credit card company or payment provider used.
- Leave negative feedback about the seller online to warn future buyers.
- Determine if the venue, box office, or a fan can help you still attend.
Remaining calm and gathering evidence about the scam will strengthen your case. With persistence and good records, you can often recoup your money, even if you can’t make the event.
Am I Legally Accountable for Using Counterfeit Tickets?
Simply having fake tickets is not illegal, as the buyer may not realize they are fraudulent. However, intentionally using counterfeit tickets to gain entry is considered ticket fraud.
Most states have laws prohibiting:
- Knowingly reselling invalid tickets
- Using fake passes to enter an event
- Altering tickets to change seat locations, dates, etc.
- Forging tickets without authorization from the venue
Penalties for breaking these laws may include:
- Fines, often $1000 or more
- Jail time, such as up to 1 year
- Community service hours
- Restitution to the venue for lost revenue
- Civil lawsuit from the event organizer
Venues can also bring charges for theft of services or trespassing if you try entering with bogus tickets. While arrests are uncommon, it’s best to just avoid potential criminal risks altogether.
Questions to Ask to Avoid Fake Ticket Purchases
These key questions can help sniff out scam ticket listings and sellers:
- Can you send me a photo of the actual tickets you are selling?
- What is the exact seat, row, and section number for these tickets?
- Are you the original ticket purchaser, or are you reselling tickets?
- Why are you selling these tickets below face value or typical resale prices?
- Can we talk over the phone before I purchase the tickets?
- What payment methods do you accept? Can I pay with a credit card?
- May I see some proof of your identity like social media profiles?
- Do you have a website, reviews, or references I can look at?
Hesitance, confusion, or resistance to any of these questions is a red flag of a potential scam. Responsible sellers will be transparent and direct in responding to your concerns before asking for payment.
Conclusion
Online ticket scams can be frustrating and costly if you get tricked. But being a savvy buyer goes a long way in protecting yourself. Red flags to watch for include prices that seem unrealistic, urgent demands, and sellers who avoid phone communication. Verify ticket details before paying, use secure methods like credit cards, and don’t hesitate to report bad experiences. While the occasional scam is inevitable, you can enjoy peace of mind by putting your safety first. Do your homework, trust your instincts, and only buy from reputable sources. Staying vigilant will help ensure you have valid tickets in hand for that big show.