Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. Millions of people use Ticketmaster every year to purchase tickets for concerts, sports events, theater shows and more. Unfortunately, like many major companies, Ticketmaster is occasionally targeted by scammers trying to take advantage of customers.
If you believe you have fallen victim to a Ticketmaster scam, it is important to report it promptly to help prevent the scammers from defrauding others. Here is a guide on how to recognize if you have been scammed when using Ticketmaster and how to properly report it.
Watch out for these common Ticketmaster scams
Some of the most frequent Ticketmaster scams to be aware of include:
- Fake websites – Fraudulent sites pretending to be Ticketmaster designed to steal your personal and payment information.
- Phishing emails – Emails containing links bringing you to fake Ticketmaster login pages to capture your login credentials.
- Ticket scams – Scammers selling fake, duplicated or non-existent tickets on Ticketmaster and other resale platforms.
- Voucher scams – Scammers selling fake or already redeemed Ticketmaster gift cards or vouchers.
Always be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, unsolicited contacts and requests to pay with unusual methods. Use caution when purchasing tickets from unofficial resale sites.
How to tell if you have been the victim of a Ticketmaster scam:
Here are some signs that indicate you may have fallen for a Ticketmaster scam:
- You purchased tickets or a voucher code that turned out to be fake, duplicated or already used.
- You paid for tickets, vouchers or services by direct bank transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency or other unusual payment methods.
- You provided sensitive personal or financial details to a site you thought was Ticketmaster but was fraudulent.
- You were asked to pay more than the listed ticket price due to alleged extra fees.
- You were redirected to a fake website after clicking a link in an email claiming to be from Ticketmaster.
- Your credit card was charged for Ticketmaster tickets or services you did not purchase or authorize.
If you experience any of these issues with a Ticketmaster purchase, it is very possible you have been scammed.
How to report a Ticketmaster scam
If you have been the victim of a Ticketmaster-related scam, here are the steps to take to report it:
- Contact Ticketmaster Customer Service – Notify Ticketmaster directly by phone or email. Provide details of the scam and any available evidence.
- Report it to your bank or payment provider – If you paid via credit card or third party payment platform, report the fraudulent charges so payments can be reversed or flagged.
- File a complaint with the FTC – Submit a consumer complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through their online form. The FTC investigates fraud trends.
- Report to your local law enforcement – File a police report with your local law enforcement agency regarding the scam and to have documentation of the incident.
- Warn other consumers – Post about the scam on consumer advocacy websites so other buyers are aware of fraudulent sellers or websites.
- Change your Ticketmaster account password – If your Ticketmaster account was compromised, change your password immediately to prevent further misuse.
It is important to take swift action if you have fallen victim to a purchase scam. This can increase the chances of catching the scammers and preventing further losses or identity theft.
Information to have handy when reporting Ticketmaster scams
To assist investigators and facilitate the reporting process, try to have the following information on hand:
- Order confirmation numbers for any fraudulent transactions
- Details of how, when and where you purchased the tickets or services
- The website, seller name or contact details for the scammer if available
- Payment details including credit card statements
- Screenshots of any fraudulent emails, websites, listings, etc.
- Records of any correspondence with the scammer
The more details you can provide, the better chance there is of identifying and stopping the scammers.
How to avoid Ticketmaster scams
While Ticketmaster tries to combat scams, there are some precautions customers can take to reduce their chances of being defrauded:
- Only purchase from official Ticketmaster sites – Stick to Ticketmaster.com and verified resale marketplaces like Ticketmaster’s TM+.
- Avoid sellers asking you to pay by direct bank transfer, gift cards or other unusual methods.
- Do not click links in unsolicited emails – Manually open a new browser and go directly to Ticketmaster.
- Look for the secure lock icon in the website URL when entering payment details.
- Double check the seating details, event information and total charges before confirming purchases.
- Be wary of “too good to be true” ticket offers which often signal fraud.
- Only provide the minimum amount of personal information needed for your purchase.
Exercising caution, vigilance and common sense is the best defense against Ticketmaster scammers seeking to take advantage of eager customers.
Ticketmaster purchase protections
Ticketmaster does provide certain purchase protections and guarantees for customers who buy tickets through their official channels:
- Verified tickets – Ticketmaster verifies all tickets sold on their platform to prevent counterfeits.
- FanProtect Guarantee – Refunds or comparable replacement tickets if event is canceled or you can’t attend.
- Official Platinum Seats – Market-based pricing from Ticketmaster to avoid inflated resale prices.
- Pre-sale access – Get early access to select tickets before general public on-sale.
- Secure online checkout – 128-bit encryption protects your info when buying online.
However, Ticketmaster’s protections may not apply if you purchase through an unofficial third-party reseller. Always buy from Ticketmaster directly when possible.
Conclusion
While Ticketmaster scams are an unfortunate reality, being an informed customer can greatly reduce your risk of being defrauded. Examine purchases carefully, stick to official Ticketmaster platforms, and report any suspicious activity or fraudulent charges promptly. If you believe you have been the victim of a Ticketmaster scam, immediately contact their customer service and provide all available details so the scam can be investigated and shut down.