Ticket scams

Fraudsters may trick you into buying tickets for concerts, sports or other events.

Beware of fake tickets that might not get you in.

 

Booking tickets for an event?

Avoid social media adverts, posts or listings that offer cheaper tickets or access to events that have already sold out.

In 2023, Halifax customers had an average loss of £163 to fraudsters selling fake tickets.¹ It’s important to know how to spot a fake deal.

Watch out for ticket scams

Does the deal seem too cheap?

Where tickets sell out quickly, it’s important to be vigilant to avoid scams. People are getting tricked into paying for cheap tickets that don’t exist.

If a deal seems too-good-to-be true, it probably is. It’s better to miss a deal than lose money to a scam.

Top tips

Protect yourself and dodge ticket scams.

  • Be careful of fake posts on social media.
  • Book tickets through real companies.
  • Avoid deals that look too-good-to-be-true.

Buy your tickets safely

Fraudsters use social media, such as Facebook Marketplace and Instagram, to sell last minute tickets that don’t exist. You may be asked to pay upfront, but once the payment is made, the seller disappears. Leaving you without a ticket and money lost. Before agreeing to buy anything, make sure the offer you are looking at is real.

If you are using PayPal, be aware of sellers avoiding fees by asking you to select friends and family when sending money. Paying this way would remove any payment protection. Before you agree to buy something, ask if you can pay through PayPal goods and services or get your tickets from a trusted ticket company that’s registered with The Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR).

How to spot a fake website

Does the website look real?

Fraudsters can create websites that look real and pretend to be a company or brand you know. Make sure you check the website address and page. 

If you see spelling mistakes, low-quality images or different designs to the site you usually see, it’s probably a scam.

Use a website checker, like the one on Get Safe Online, if you aren’t sure.

What are the reviews saying?

Make sure you purchase tickets from trusted retailers or, even better, direct from the venue or artist.

If you come across a website offering tickets at super low prices, it could be a scam.

Look for reviews on websites such as Trustpilot or TripAdvisor, before you purchase through the site.

Learn about other scams and how to protect yourself

Learn about the latest scams

Fraudsters are always looking for new ways to try to steal your details and money. Discover which scams are common right now.

Go to latest scams

Have you been targeted by fraudsters?

Contact us right away if you think you've been scammed. We can then guide you on what to do next.

Contact us now
  1. Figures based on internal analysis of relevant purchase scams (concert tickets) reported by Halifax customers from January - December 2023.

Stay scam safe

Find out how to spot and avoid scams, and how to report fraud.

Protect yourself from fraud

Stay scam safe

Find out how to spot and avoid scams, and how to report fraud.

Protect yourself from fraud