With Ticketmaster being one of the largest ticket sales and distribution companies, account security is a top priority. Ticketmaster utilizes various security measures to keep customer accounts and information safe. This article will provide an overview of key things users should know to keep their Ticketmaster accounts secure.
Use a Strong Password
One of the most important things you can do to secure your Ticketmaster account is to use a strong, unique password that cannot be easily guessed. Here are some tips for creating a strong Ticketmaster password:
- Make it long – use at least 12-14 characters
- Include a mix of letters, numbers and symbols
- Do not use personal information like your name or birthday
- Do not use common words or phrases
- Do not reuse passwords from other accounts
Using a strong, unique password ensures that hackers cannot easily gain access to your account even if your password is part of a company data breach.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides an extra layer of security beyond just a password. With 2FA enabled, you will need to provide two forms of authentication when logging into your Ticketmaster account.
The two factors are usually:
- Something you know (like a password)
- Something you have (like a code sent to your phone)
To enable 2FA on your Ticketmaster account:
- Log into your account and go to My Account
- Select Login Info from the menu
- Choose to enable two-factor authentication
- Follow the prompts to set up 2FA using an authentication app or text message verification
With 2FA enabled, hackers would need access to both your password and your phone to log in, making your account much more secure.
Be Wary of Phishing Attempts
Phishing is when cybercriminals try to obtain personal information by disguising themselves as trustworthy entities. Beware of fake emails or websites pretending to be Ticketmaster.
Some things to look out for:
- URLs that use misspellings or look suspicious
- Logos or branding that look off
- Grammatical errors
- Requests for sensitive information like passwords or Social Security numbers
- Threats to close your account or take urgent action
Ticketmaster will never send you emails asking for your password or account information. When in doubt, go directly to the official Ticketmaster website or app.
Monitor Your Account Activity
Keep a close eye on your Ticketmaster account activity for any suspicious behavior:
- Check your purchase history frequently
- Look for tickets purchased without your authorization
- Watch for password change emails you did not initiate
- Log out of active sessions after use
Monitoring your account activity can help you identify and respond quickly to any potential unauthorized access attempts.
Beware of Third-Party Links
When buying tickets, make sure you only purchase through official Ticketmaster platforms. Some third-party sellers or ticket exchanges may have unclear refund policies, invalid tickets, or be outright scams.
Only click links in Ticketmaster emails or enter your info on ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster’s official app, or at a Ticketmaster kiosk location.
Protect Your Personal Information
When making Ticketmaster purchases, only provide the minimum amount of personal information required. Avoid entering unnecessary data like your Social Security number.
Also, make sure your browser connection is secure when entering payment info. Look for “https” in the URL and a padlock icon.
Use Unique Ticketmaster Credentials
To limit exposure in the event of a data breach, avoid reusing the same password or email for your Ticketmaster account across multiple sites or services. Use unique login credentials only for Ticketmaster.
Be Cautious on Public WiFi
Avoid accessing your Ticketmaster account on public WiFi networks. These networks are often unsecure, allowing hackers to more easily intercept your data and account access.
If you must use public WiFi, enable your phone’s personal hotspot for a more secure connection instead.
Keep Software Up-to-Date
Make sure to keep the operating system, browser and apps on your devices updated to the latest versions. Software updates often include critical security patches that close vulnerabilities.
Enable auto-updates wherever possible to ensure you are getting the most secure versions of apps and software.
Use Strong Antivirus Protection
Install reputable antivirus software on your devices and keep it continuously updated. Antivirus can detect and block known malware, spyware, and other threats that may try to steal your Ticketmaster login credentials or payment information.
Avoid Account Sharing
Never share your Ticketmaster username or password with anyone, even family or friends. Account sharing gives others access to your personal information and payment methods.
If you want others to be able to access your Ticketmaster tickets, use the Ticket Transfer feature instead of account sharing.
Change Passwords Regularly
Security experts recommend changing your important account passwords every 90 days or so. Update your Ticketmaster password periodically to a new strong credential.
Recycling old passwords is not recommended though, as hackers may have collected those in past data breaches.
Remove Unused Payment Methods
Don’t allow payment methods you no longer use to remain stored in your Ticketmaster account. Remove unused credit cards or PayPal accounts you have added in the past.
This limits the number of payment options that could be potentially compromised in the unlikely event of a breach.
Use Prepaid Cards
Consider using virtual credit cards or prepaid cards for Ticketmaster purchases instead of your primary debit or credit card. This way, the prepaid card limits the exposure of your real payment methods.
Just be sure to get a prepaid card from a reputable provider.
Be Wary of Ticket Resales
Only purchase event tickets through official sources like Ticketmaster. Third-party resellers may overcharge you, provide invalid tickets, or outright scam you.
If buying tickets secondhand, only use trusted exchanges or meet locally in-person for ticket transfer.
Review Purchase History Frequently
Make it a habit to regularly check your Ticketmaster purchase history for any unauthorized orders. Identify any unknown tickets purchased without your consent as soon as possible.
Dispute unknown charges through your payment provider if you suspect your account was compromised.
Avoid Storing Unused Tickets
Once you have purchased tickets on Ticketmaster, transfer them immediately to the people attending the event. Avoid holding tickets in your account you don’t need anymore.
Unused tickets in your account remain an exposure if your account were to get hacked in the time leading up to an event.
Use Ticketmaster’s Official Apps
Only download Ticketmaster apps from official app stores like Google Play and Apple App Store. Avoid sideloading unofficial apps or entering your Ticketmaster login at unfamiliar third-party sites.
This prevents you from accidentally giving account access to scam apps or websites disguised as Ticketmaster.
Report Suspicious Activity
If you notice any strange account activity, unauthorized charges, or potential signs of account compromise, immediately contact Ticketmaster Customer Support.
Reporting issues promptly can help Ticketmaster secure your account and prevent further abuse or fraud.
Enable Login Notifications
Under Account Settings, enable login notifications for added security. You will then receive an email or text alert any time someone logs into your Ticketmaster account.
Notifications can inform you of unauthorized access attempts and prompt you to take action like resetting your password.
Conclusion
Keeping your Ticketmaster account secure requires vigilance, but is critical to avoiding fraud or loss of funds. By using strong unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, monitoring account activity, and being cautious when entering payment information, you can significantly improve the security of your Ticketmaster account.
Remember that no single security tip is foolproof, so utilize multiple recommendations together for defense-in-depth protection.