Having your Ticketmaster account hacked and email changed can be a stressful and frustrating experience. If you try to login and find that your password no longer works or that your email has been changed without your permission, don’t panic. Here is a comprehensive guide on what to do if your Ticketmaster account is hacked and email is changed, how to regain access, steps to secure your account, and tips to prevent it from happening again.
Regaining Access to Your Hacked Ticketmaster Account
If you discover that your Ticketmaster account has been hacked, the first step is trying to regain access. Here are some things you can try:
- Use the “Forgot Password” feature on Ticketmaster.com to reset your password. This may not work if the hacker has already changed the email on file.
- Contact Ticketmaster Customer Service via phone or chat and explain your account has been hacked. They can help you regain access.
- If your email was changed, respond to any notification emails you received about the change and state it was unauthorized.
- Check your email account for any notifications from Ticketmaster about password resets or email changes. These contain links you can use to reverse unauthorized changes.
- If you have your Ticketmaster account connected to Facebook or other social media, try logging in via that platform to regain access.
Providing as many details as possible to Ticketmaster Customer Service can help verify your identity and override any unauthorized changes the hacker made. Information like your full name, home address, phone number, and any past Ticketmaster order numbers will help prove the account is yours.
Securing Your Ticketmaster Account After Being Hacked
Once you regain access to your compromised Ticketmaster account, you’ll want to take steps to secure it and prevent future unauthorized access. Recommended actions include:
- Change your Ticketmaster password to something completely new that isn’t used on any other sites.
- Enable two-factor authentication if available to add an extra layer of security.
- Remove any unfamiliar saved payment methods or stored addresses.
- Check your Ticketmaster account settings for anything else suspicious or unauthorized and revert any changes.
- Scan your computer for malware in case your account was hacked via a virus or keylogger on your device.
You may also want to consider contacting your bank and credit card company to monitor for any suspicious charges just in case financial information was compromised.
Preventing Your Ticketmaster Account From Being Hacked Again
Here are some tips to keep your Ticketmaster account safe from future hacks:
- Always use a strong, unique password only for your Ticketmaster account.
- Set up two-factor authentication if available.
- Be cautious of phishing emails and links asking you to login to Ticketmaster.
- Never access your Ticketmaster account on public, unsecured WiFi.
- Monitor your account activity and respond quickly to any unauthorized changes.
- Keep your computer and mobile devices updated and running antivirus software.
- Avoid saving payment information in your Ticketmaster account.
Unfortunately, hacks and data breaches are an ever-present threat with any online account. Your vigilance and prompt response are the best ways to limit damage. Enabling extra security options can also help safeguard your account.
Recovering From Unauthorized Ticket Purchases
A common goal of hacking a Ticketmaster account is making unauthorized ticket purchases using the payment methods saved in your account. If you find charges for tickets you didn’t buy, here are some options:
- Contact Ticketmaster Customer Service immediately to report unauthorized purchases.
- Ticketmaster may be able to cancel orders or tickets that haven’t been downloaded yet.
- Work with them to identify which purchases were fraudulent.
- Request a refund for unauthorized ticket orders.
- Dispute the charges with your credit card company by filing a fraud claim if Ticketmaster does not issue refunds.
- Monitor your account and financial statements closely for signs of further fraudulent activity.
Acting quickly is key to maximizing your chances of recovering losses from unauthorized Ticketmaster purchases made by hackers. Time is critical when trying to cancel orders and issue refunds.
Handling a Breached or Leaked Ticketmaster Account
Sometimes Ticketmaster accounts are hacked as part of a larger security breach of Ticketmaster itself or its partners. Usernames, passwords and payment information from millions of accounts has been compromised in breaches before. If you are notified your Ticketmaster account is part of a larger breach, take these steps:
- Change your Ticketmaster password immediately to something brand new.
- Remove any saved payment information to prevent fraudulent charges.
- Consider using a password manager so you can use longer, more secure passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication if available for enhanced security.
- Monitor your account closely for suspicious activity.
- Watch out for breach-related phishing emails trying to steal personal information.
A breach does not necessarily mean your account has been misused, but it does substantially increase the risk. Taking preventative actions can help avoid major hassles down the road.
Filing a Police Report for a Hacked Ticketmaster Account
If you suffer significant financial loss or identity theft from a hacked Ticketmaster account, you may want to file a police report about the incident. Reasons to consider filing a report include:
- It provides official documentation to show banks/creditors this was criminal fraud.
- The police report can help if you need to dispute fraudulent charges or transactions.
- It aids police in tracking cybercrimes and catching hackers.
- You need the report to submit identity theft affidavits to the FTC if your personal info was misused.
To file a report, contact your local police department’s non-emergency number and explain you need to file a report about your hacked Ticketmaster account. Provide as many details as possible about how you were victimized and the losses suffered. Get a copy of the police report to submit to relevant entities.
Legal Recourse if Ticketmaster Does Not Address Account Hacks
Hopefully, Ticketmaster will be responsive and helpful in cases of account hacks or breaches. However, that is not always the case. If Ticketmaster fails to provide reasonable assistance or compensation for losses when accounts are hacked, legal action may be an option. Potential avenues include:
- Contacting the FTC or your state attorney general’s office to file a complaint about Ticketmaster’s practices.
- Reporting the issue to the Better Business Bureau to bring public attention to it.
- Consulting with a lawyer about filing a class action lawsuit on behalf of all breach victims.
- Exploring small claims court for individuals with relatively small monetary damages.
- Filing a lawsuit against Ticketmaster for negligence, breach of contract, violations of state security laws, or other causes of action.
Legal action can be complex, expensive, and time consuming, so it is more practical after exhausting all options with Ticketmaster directly. But it remains an option if Ticketmaster fails to take reasonable steps to protect accounts and assist victims.
Using Credit Monitoring After a Ticketmaster Account Hack
Having your personal information exposed in a hack can increase the risk of identity theft and credit fraud. To catch any misuse of your information, you may want to sign up for credit monitoring services after a breach. Credit monitoring provides:
- Alerts when new accounts are opened in your name.
- Notifications of changes to your existing credit accounts.
- Access to your credit reports from major bureaus.
- Identity theft insurance to help recover from fraud.
Many credit card companies provide free monitoring when your card information is compromised. Paid services from companies like LifeLock and IdentityForce can provide more robust protection. Monitoring credit reports and account activity can limit the damage from any personal information stolen during the Ticketmaster breach.
Summary
Having your Ticketmaster account hacked can be disturbing and disruptive. Responding quickly and following the steps outlined above can help you regain access, reverse unauthorized changes, prevent further misuse, monitor for identity theft, and protect your data for the future. With vigilance and prompt action, you can contain the damage and move on after a Ticketmaster account hack.