With technology making event tickets more accessible than ever, it’s important to be able to verify that the tickets you buy are authentic. Counterfeit tickets continue to be a problem, leaving many fans standing outside venues unable to get in. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to check if your tickets are legit before you make a purchase.
Know Where You’re Buying From
The first step is knowing where you’re buying tickets from. There are many secure and reputable sources to get tickets, but there are also risky websites and resellers to watch out for. Your safest bet is to buy directly from the venue’s box office or their official ticket sales vendor. Many venues will have partnerships with major ticket retailers like Ticketmaster or AXS. Buying directly from them eliminates the risk of ending up with fake or invalid tickets. If buying resale tickets from a secondary marketplace, make sure to use well known sites like StubHub that have guarantees in place in case the tickets end up being fraudulent. Be very cautious when buying from independent resellers, classified ads or sellers you don’t know.
Research the Seller
If you plan to buy from an independent seller, make sure to do your research beforehand. Search for reviews of the seller online to see if other buyers have reported issues. Check sites like the Better Business Bureau for any complaints or unscrupulous activity associated with the seller. Also beware of prices that seem too good to be true, as very low prices can be a red flag for counterfeits. A few quick searches can help sniff out any suspicious sellers so you don’t end up with fake tickets.
Verify Security Features
When you receive the tickets, give them a thorough inspection to verify any security features. Modern tickets will contain safeguards that are nearly impossible to duplicate accurately on fakes. Here are some of the key security features to look for:
- Thermal Printing – Authentic ticket printing uses thermal techniques very hard to replicate.
- Microprinting – Under a magnifier, look for tiny printed text and patterns.
- Holograms – Shiny 3D hologram images should be embedded in the ticket.
- UV Coating – Under a blacklight, authentic tickets will have markings only visible in UV.
Knowing what security features to look for makes it much easier to distinguish between real and fake tickets. If any of the expected features seem off, that’s a clear sign your tickets may not be valid.
Verify the Barcodes
One of the most important parts of a modern event ticket is the barcode that is scanned for entry. Take steps to ensure the barcode is legitimate and will actually grant you entry. Here are some ways to double check barcodes:
- Scan it yourself – Many venues allow you to scan your ticket beforehand to verify validity.
- Cross reference numbers – The barcode number should match the ticket number.
- Check alignment – Everything should be aligned, with no overlapping or blurry printing.
Some other signs of invalid barcodes include smearing, damage, incorrect formatting and improper sequencing. Using the above steps can confirm if your ticket’s barcode is the real deal.
Contact the Seller
If you purchased your tickets from a business or seller, reach out to them with any concerns about authenticity. Many reputable sellers will happily confirm legitimacy and may even replace fraudulent tickets. Having open communication channels can help resolve any uncertainties.
Here are some questions to ask:
- Can you confirm these ticket barcodes are valid in your system?
- Do the seat numbers match your seating chart for the event?
- Can you replace any tickets missing security features?
A transparent, helpful response is a good sign you’re dealing with a trustworthy seller. Unresponsive or shady behavior may indicate the tickets aren’t 100% valid.
Verify Before Buying Resale
If purchasing tickets resale from an individual seller, try to verify validity before paying. Many scammers will pressure buyers to complete the transaction first before showing the tickets. Avoid this by coordinating a safe public meetup or having them send high quality digital copies of the tickets first. Specifically ask to see any important security features up close before buying. Never pay for event tickets you haven’t been able to thoroughly inspect in some form.
Use a Secure Payment Method
Paying with traceable, reversible payment methods also gives you protections if the tickets do end up being fake. Recommended payment methods include:
- Credit Cards – Offers chargeback protection for fraud.
- PayPal Goods and Services – Can dispute/refund fraudulent transactions.
- StubHub/VividSeats – Has buyer guarantee against invalid tickets.
Avoid risky payment types like bank transfers, cash apps, checks or cash, as those provide zero recourse if you end up with counterfeit tickets.
Confirm Before Heading to the Event
Before actually going to the event, double check with the venue that your tickets are properly recorded in their system. Contact their box office to confirm the legitimacy of your barcodes and seat assignments. That extra verification ensures you won’t get turned away after arriving with invalid tickets. Having the peace of mind ahead of time lets you head to the event with confidence.
Inspect Tickets at Entry
As one final check, thoroughly inspect your tickets again when having them scanned for entry. Verify the scanner properly registers your barcodes and that security features like holograms are still intact on the physical ticket. Report anything suspicious to security staff before entering. With all the proper research and verifications done ahead of time, inspection at entry should go smoothly.
How to Spot Fake Tickets
Being able to identify fake tickets is key to avoiding them in the first place. Here are some clear signs that tickets may not be legitimate:
- Missing security features like holograms or UV markings
- Smeared, blurry or improperly aligned barcodes
- Prices that are much lower than market value
- Spelling, grammar or formatting errors
- Damaged, photocopied or improperly cut ticket stock
- Generic cardstock or paper used instead of high quality ticket stock
If any aspects seem off or don’t match comparable authentic tickets, it’s best to avoid purchasing.
Avoiding Fake Ticket Scams
While fake tickets continue to be a nuisance, there are ways to prevent falling victim to scams and counterfeits:
- Buy early – Scarcity closer to event opens door for scammers.
- Use official sources – Avoid unknown resellers hawking tickets.
- Meet locally – View/verify before paying if buying resale.
- Review seller – Research thoroughly before making purchases.
- Inspect closely – Compare to authentic samples and look for errors.
Staying cautious, doing research and verifying thoroughly will help reduce the risks. Paying a little extra from reputable sources can also give peace of mind.
Take Action if Sold Fake Tickets
If you go through proper channels and still end up with counterfeit tickets, don’t panic. There are still actions you can take to get help and potentially get last minute valid tickets. Here are a few options:
- Contact seller – Reputable sellers may replace with authentic tickets.
- Dispute payment – File claims via credit card or payment platforms.
- Report to authorities – Fake tickets may violate local laws and regulations.
- Warn others – Post details online to make others aware of scams.
- Seek last minute tickets – Check box office, fan exchanges, scalpers to find valid replacements.
Don’t let counterfeits completely ruin your plans. With some persistence and creativity, you can still find a way to attend the event.
Conclusion
Fake tickets continue to disrupt events, but ticket buyers have the tools to detect and avoid them. Being an informed buyer, thoroughly inspecting tickets, using secure payments and trusting reputable sellers are the best defenses against ending up with counterfeits. While scammers are persistent, savvy fans can stay vigilant and get the valid tickets they paid for.