Even with quarantine protocols, live events pushed through virtually to still generate some revenue through ticket sales. Now that many countries have begun vaccination and are recovering from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, in-person events are starting to return. Unfortunately, just as people get to enjoy attending them, scammers are also back in their fraudulent ways as well.
Besides scalpers, ticket scams are common, especially for huge live events such as concerts and sporting events. Since many people have wanted to attend live events, more tickets are being sought. Scammers recognize this, and they’ll be planning their next scheme and executing it as people return to live events.
Nobody ever wants to experience being scammed for an event they want to attend. This means a lot to you, especially after not being at one for a long time, so you should know how to avoid them. Here are some tips for you to avoid falling for event ticket scams.
Only purchase from authorized sources
Sometimes in desperation to attend a live event, people tend to find alternative sources for tickets. While there are credible ones, you should still be wary of scammers who’ll take advantage of your desire to attend certain events. That’s why you should exclusively buy from authorized ticket sellers.
There are lots of authorized and legitimate ticket sellers nowadays, especially online. You should buy from them instead of buying from other people. These authorized sellers have the licenses and permissions they need to sell tickets, and they know better to deceive customers, or they’ll be facing a class action lawsuit.
You can find authorized ticket sellers on the events’ promotional materials, both online and physically. However, you should also look at them carefully to see if they’re legit. If you can’t see any contact information on the ticket website, chances are they’re fake and made for scam purposes.
Check tickets to verify their authenticity
Scammers who are clever enough to fabricate fake tickets tend to get away with a lot of stolen money. They make fake ones that look a lot like the legit ones. They usually target desperate people who need tickets to get in a venue at the last minute because they’re easier to deceive.
Save yourself from falling victim to fake tickets scams by verifying tickets you bought from another source outside authorized sellers. One of the best ways to do this is to call the venue. You can call them and give the details on the ticket such as its serial number to check its authenticity.
Use your credit card to pay
Credit cards are the safest payment method you can use for most purchases, especially when buying tickets online. Credit card issuing companies have security protocols that they employ to protect owners from scams. Ticket sellers who accept credit cards must also comply with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
Don’t purchase from sellers that urge you to pay with prepaid cards or gift cards. Those payment methods are unsafe because they’re virtually untraceable, allowing scammers to run away and fully cover their tracks as they escape with their stolen money.
Don’t fall for impossible offers
Some people still try to find tickets even though they’re already sold out. But, unfortunately, in their last-ditch efforts, a scammer may show up and take advantage of their situation. So don’t give in and buy their tickets.
If authorized sellers indicate that there are no tickets available, then you just have to accept that. You can either wait for people who can’t attend the event to return their tickets to show up online or at the venue or buy tickets sooner next time. It’s better to do these things rather than risk being scammed.
Conclusion
Practice better judgment when buying event tickets to avoid falling for scams. Buy only from authorized sellers and use your credit card when paying. It’s your right to enjoy live events, so be wise with your choices to do just that.
Author’s Bio:
Deinah Storm used to work in the corporate world as a marketing affiliate. She quit her job to pursue her passion for writing, but to this day, Deinah is committed to educating consumers about the different marketing scams and how to avoid them.
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