Ticketmaster is one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies in the world. They sell tickets for concerts, sporting events, theater shows, and more. With millions of customers purchasing tickets through them each year, Ticketmaster collects a significant amount of personal information from buyers including names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and sometimes even partial Social Security Numbers (SSNs). This has led many customers to worry – is my SSN safe with Ticketmaster?
The short answer is: maybe. Ticketmaster claims to take data security seriously, but they have suffered breaches exposing customers’ personal information in the past. While they may have strengthened their defenses since then, any company that stores SSNs is an attractive target for hackers. Customers need to weigh the risks and make an informed decision about whether to share their SSN when purchasing tickets.
What data does Ticketmaster collect?
According to their privacy policy, Ticketmaster collects a variety of personal and financial information from customers. This includes:
– Name
– Address
– Email address
– Phone number
– Credit card numbers
– Ticket purchase history
– IP address
– Demographic information
The type of personal information requested can vary depending on the event you are purchasing tickets for. In some cases, Ticketmaster prompts purchasers to enter the last four or five digits of their Social Security Number. This is mainly for high-demand events where Ticketmaster wants to deter ticket brokers and ensure real fans get access.
Why does Ticketmaster collect SSNs?
Ticketmaster claims there are a few reasons they may ask for the last few digits of your SSN:
– To verify your identity and ensure tickets get into the hands of real fans rather than brokers reselling tickets.
– To allow you access to ticket presales or other special offers.
– To improve security and reduce fraud by matching your SSN to your credit card number, address, and other info.
By collecting those extra digits of your SSN, Ticketmaster says they can better validate that you are who you claim to be when purchasing tickets. The last few SSN digits essentially serve as an additional password or PIN code for your account with them.
However, privacy advocates argue this rationale does not justify gathering such sensitive information. The last 4-5 digits of a SSN can still be abused in the wrong hands. It also trains consumers to be more willing to share their complete SSN with other entities that may claim they need it for “identity verification”.
Examples of past security breaches
Unfortunately, Ticketmaster does not have the strongest track record when it comes to protecting user data:
2018 Data Breach
In June 2018, Ticketmaster disclosed they had been hacked and the personal and payment data of up to 40,000 UK customers may have been accessed. Information exposed reportedly included:
– Names
– Addresses
– Email addresses
– Phone numbers
– Payment details
The company emailed affected customers apologizing and offering 12 months of free identity monitoring services. They stated that North American customers were not impacted, but the breach still shook confidence in Ticketmaster’s security.
2010 Customer Service Hack
In 2010, Ticketmaster reported that rogue employees had infiltrated their customer service department and used it to steal consumer info and sell millions of dollars worth of tickets. These insiders were able to access Ticketmaster’s customer database and steal personal details on buyers.
The 2010 attack demonstrates that external hackers aren’t the only threat to Ticketmaster customer data. Internal personnel could also abuse their access to compromise user info.
Year | Type of Breach | Number of Customers Affected | Information Exposed |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Hack of Ticketmaster systems | Up to 40,000 | Names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, payment details |
2010 | Fraud by customer service agents | Unknown | Personal details from customer database |
These examples demonstrate that Ticketmaster has failed to keep customer data secure in the past, so it is reasonable for consumers to be concerned today.
Should I share part of my SSN with Ticketmaster?
With Ticketmaster’s security history in mind, here are some factors to consider when deciding whether or not to provide part of your SSN when purchasing tickets:
Potential risks
– Any digits of your SSN in the hands of fraudsters increases risk of identity theft.
– Ticketmaster databases could be hacked again and SSNs stolen.
– Rogue employees may abuse access rights to steal SSNs.
– Providing SSN trains you to share it more readily with other entities.
Potential benefits
– May improve your chances of accessing tickets for high-demand events.
– May help verify your identity and prevent ticket brokers from purchasing.
– May give you access to special ticket presales or promotions.
Mitigating actions you can take
– Use a virtual credit card number so your real card details are not stored.
– Use a unique email address and password just for your Ticketmaster account.
– Enable two-factor authentication on your Ticketmaster account for extra login security.
– Monitor your credit reports regularly for any suspicious activity.
– Consider using a password manager to ensure different secure passwords everywhere.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster states they take data security seriously, but their track record is questionable when it comes to protecting customer data. While providing a partial SSN may unlock access to more exclusive ticket sales, it also comes with risks. Consumers should weigh those benefits against potential identity theft risks. If you do choose to share part of your SSN, take other precautions like using virtual cards, unique passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication. Be vigilant in monitoring your credit and financial accounts. Ultimately each individual must assess their own tolerance for risk versus reward.