There are a few potential reasons why Ticketmaster may block you from purchasing tickets on their platform. The most common reasons are to prevent ticket scalping and unfair purchasing practices. Ticketmaster wants to ensure tickets go to genuine fans at fair prices.
You purchased too many tickets
Ticketmaster may block you if you try to purchase an excessive number of tickets, especially for a high-demand event. They want to give as many individuals as possible a fair chance to get tickets. If you try to buy more tickets than is reasonably needed, they may flag your account.
For example, if you try to purchase 10+ tickets for a concert when the ticket limit is 4 per person, Ticketmaster may see this as unfair and block you. They aim to discourage scalpers who try to buy out tickets and resell them at inflated prices.
You purchased tickets too quickly
Similarly, if you purchase a large number of tickets the moment they go on sale, you may get blocked. Ticketmaster tries to combat automated bots that buy up tickets unfairly fast. If your purchasing speed seems inhumanly fast, they may think you are using an unfair bot program.
High demand events often sell out in minutes or even seconds. If you snap up tickets at lightning speed, Ticketmaster may determine no human could reasonably purchase that fast. Getting blocked protects tickets for genuine fans trying to buy at regular human speeds.
Your account shows suspicious patterns
Ticketmaster may also block accounts that show suspicious patterns indicative of scalping activities. For example, if your account has a pattern of buying tickets and putting them up for resale shortly after, they may preemptively block you.
Other examples of suspicious patterns include frequently buying the maximum ticket limit, buying tickets to resell at a big markup, or buying a large variety of different events. Basically, any actions that suggest you are a scalper and not a genuine fan may get you blocked.
You violated Ticketmaster’s Terms of Use
Violating Ticketmaster’s Terms of Use is another reason they may block you. All users must agree to their Terms of Use when making an account. If you violate any terms, such as using bots, circumventing ticket limits, or selling tickets unethically, they can block you.
Make sure to read through their full Terms of Use. Follow all policies around prohibited activities, commercial use, resale restrictions, and other rules. Breaking any established Terms can warrant getting blocked.
You have refunded or disputed too many tickets
Frequent ticket refunds or disputing charges can also raise red flags with Ticketmaster. While refunds are allowed in many cases, excessive refund activity can indicate scalping behavior. Scalpers may buy speculative tickets then refund any they can’t resell for profit.
Too many refunds and disputes can cost Ticketmaster money in fees. So if your account shows well above average refund or dispute rates, they may block you from further purchases. Make sure you only purchase tickets you are reasonably sure about keeping.
Your credit card was flagged for suspicious activity
In some cases, your credit card itself may get flagged for suspicious transactions if it is used to buy excessive tickets or patterns indicative of scalping. Even if your Ticketmaster account appears in good standing, your connected payment method showing scalping-type behavior could still trigger a block.
To avoid this, only use your credit card for reasonable ticket purchases you genuinely intend to attend. Also ensure whoever controls and uses the card is following Ticketmaster’s policies and Terms of Use.
You used a VPN or proxy service to disguise your location or identity
Using technologies like VPNs and proxy servers to disguise your real location or identity is strictly prohibited by Ticketmaster. They want to confirm the true account owner details for security and anti-fraud purposes.
Circumventing detection systems by using untraceable connections will instantly warrant getting blocked. Ensure you only access your account through your true identifiable connection without any masking technologies.
Your shipping or billing details don’t match your account details
Ticketmaster also commonly blocks accounts where the shipping or billing details don’t match the main account owner’s personal details. There needs to be consistent identifying information across your entire account.
Having mismatched account and payment information can signal fraudulent account activities. Provide accurate personal details that validate your identity and ownership of the full account.
You used a shared or temporary email address
For security reasons, Ticketmaster wants you to have a valid permanent email address associated with your account. Using generic shared emails (e.g. [email protected]) or temporary disposable emails often gets flagged in their systems.
Make sure your account email is a permanent one you control access to long-term. Using your personal identifiable email adds legitimacy and helps prove you are a real fan, not a scalper.
Your billing address is different from your shipping address
Having two different addresses for billing and shipping purposes can also raise suspicions with Ticketmaster. They expect most customers will bill to the same address where ticket orders ship to.
Unusual combinations like billing to your office but shipping to your home address can look questionable. Keep the billing address and recipient address consistent unless you have an valid reason they need to be different.
You already have another account that got banned or blocked
If Ticketmaster have blocked or banned one of your other accounts in the past, any new accounts associated with your identifying details may also face preemptive blocks or bans.
It is against their rules to open new accounts if you are already blocked on their platform. Avoid trying to sneak around restrictions as this will just result in more blocks. Focus on resolving any past account issues first.
Your account information looks fabricated or is difficult to verify
Giving false account information is grounds for getting blocked by Ticketmaster. Details like names, addresses, and phone numbers need to be your legitimate personal identifiers that can be verified if needed.
If your account data appears obviously fabricated or is too vague or difficult to cross-check, Ticketmaster will err on the side of caution and block you. Supply genuine full names, residential addresses, and working phone numbers.
Your device has been used for suspicious activity before
Ticketmaster may associate your device ID with past suspicious activity from other accounts. So if your smartphone, laptop, or other device was used in violation of their Terms of Use already, they may preemptively block you too.
Be very careful about account sharing, especially letting anyone with a history of policy violations log in from your devices. Keep all devices completely separate between different users to isolate activity tracking.
You have scalping associations and connections
If Ticketmaster notices you have clear associations with known scalpers, ticket brokers, or commercial resellers, you face a high risk of getting blocked. Guilt by association is a prime trigger for preemptive account bans.
Avoid visible connections on social media and elsewhere with those known for scalping activities. Maintain separation to look only like a genuine independent fan with no outside scalping affiliations.
You made suspicious purchases then resold shortly after
Buying up tickets then putting them for resale soon after is a clear red flag for Ticketmaster. Even if done in lower volumes, quick flips signal your intentions as a scalper.
Avoid immediately reposting for resale tickets you successfully purchase from Ticketmaster itself. Leave a gap of several months at minimum to avoid appearing like a scalper.
You bragged about scalping or other Terms of Use violations publicly
Being publicly open about scalping practices and violating Ticketmaster’s Terms is not wise. This includes bragging on social media, forum posts about schemes, etc. Their security team can identify you and preemptively block you.
Never gloat or share details anywhere public about reselling their tickets, circumventing policies, bots you use, etc. Keep any such activities totally invisible or just avoid them altogether.
Reason | Risk Level | How to Avoid |
---|---|---|
Purchasing an excessive number of tickets | High | Only buy tickets reasonably needed for personal use |
Purchasing tickets too quickly | High | Use normal website pace, don’t use bots |
Suspicious account patterns | High | Avoid patterns like frequent max ticket buys |
Violating Terms of Use | High | Carefully follow all Terms of Use |
Too many refunds or disputes | Medium | Only buy tickets you are sure about keeping |
Suspicious credit card use | Medium | Use card ethically for your own planned event attendance |
Using VPNs or proxy services | High | Connect from your true identifiable location |
Mismatched account details | Medium | Keep all account details consistent |
Shared or temporary email | Medium | Use your permanent personal email |
Billing and shipping address mismatch | Medium | Keep addresses identical unless necessary |
How to get unblocked by Ticketmaster
If Ticketmaster has blocked you, here are some potential ways to get your account unblocked:
- Stop engaging in any behavior that violates their Terms of Use, then wait a period demonstrating you have ceased these activities.
- Contact their customer service and politely explain the situation. Provide any requested evidence you are not a scalper.
- Get a new payment method, shipping address, device, internet connection and email address not associated with previous issues.
- Note your past good faith history of genuinely attending events and appropriately using your account.
- Request a limited second chance to demonstrate you will follow Terms of Use moving forward.
- Highlight any mitigating circumstances or misunderstandings that may have led to a block.
- If connected to others banned previously, show how you have severed any concerning associations or partnerships.
Avoid aggressive demands, threats to complain publicly, or other confrontational tactics. Be humble, honest and polite in discussions with Ticketmaster support staff to maximize your chances of getting unblocked.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster blocks accounts primarily to fight unfair scalping activities and ensure fair access to tickets for genuine fans. Violating Terms of Use in any way, whether through bot usage, suspicious patterns, or addressing mismatches can trigger blocks. Be a responsible ticket buyer, follow all rules, and maintain your account in good standing to avoid getting blocked in the future.
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