Ticket scams

Be careful of people selling fake event tickets. It’s a scam that could cost you money and cause disappointment.

 

Searching for event tickets?

Look out for fake ads, posts or listings on social media, promising low-priced tickets or entry to events that are no longer available.

In 2023, Bank of Scotland customers reported an average loss of £127, to ticket scams.¹ Know what to look out for.

Look out for ticket scams

Do the tickets seem too cheap?

When tickets for an event sell out very quickly, fraudsters know that people are desperate and may be easier to trick.

By tempting people into paying for cheap tickets that don’t exist, fraudsters take their money and leave them with nowhere to go.

If you see a deal that seems too-good-to-be true, there’s a good chance it is. Book through a company you trust, even if it means paying more. Your money will be safe.

Stop and think, before you pay:

Did you find the tickets on a social media post? 

  • Do the tickets seem much cheaper than usual?
  • Can you buy the tickets with your debit or credit card?
  • Be careful and don’t pay for something if you’re not sure.

Avoid fraudsters tactics

Fraudsters post adverts on social media, such as Facebook Marketplace and Instagram, to sell last minute tickets that don’t exist.

Make sure the seller and the tickets are real before you agree to pay. If you feel rushed into paying, it could be a scam.

Avoid paying upfront. Once they have your money, the fraudsters disappear. Leaving you with no tickets and without your money. 

Paying through PayPal?

Some sellers will ask you to pay using PayPal and select friends and family, to avoid PayPal charges. But you won’t get any payment protection if you do.

Stay clear of fake websites

Can you trust the website?

Fraudsters build fake websites to trick customers into thinking they’re booking with a trusted brand. 

Does the website address look right? Can you spot any spelling mistakes or low-quality images? Does the design of the site look different? It might be a scam.

Use a website checker if you’re not sure – like the one on Get Safe Online.

Have you seen the reviews?

Try to buy tickets directly from the event organisers or artists.

Be careful with websites selling very cheap tickets; they might not be real.

Before you agree to a purchase, read through reviews on sites like Trustpilot or TripAdvisor.

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 Bank of Scotland customers from January - December 2023.

Stay scam safe

Discover how to spot and avoid scams, and how to report fraud.

Protect yourself from fraud

Stay scam safe

Discover how to spot and avoid scams, and how to report fraud.

Protect yourself from fraud