It is possible for tickets sold on Ticketmaster to be fake. While Ticketmaster is an official ticket sales platform, there are still risks of buying counterfeit or invalid tickets through third party sellers on their site. Some key things to watch out for when purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster include:
Verify the Seller
Always check that the seller of the ticket is Ticketmaster or the official event organizer. Avoid buying from third party sellers, as this increases the risk of getting fake or voided tickets. Ticketmaster’s verified resale platform ensures the tickets are authentic and valid.
Look Out for Red Flags
Be wary of ticket prices that seem too good to be true, as they often are. Abnormally low prices could indicate scam tickets. Also be suspicious of sellers requesting payments via money order, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or cash apps instead of credit cards. These are signs you may not get valid tickets.
Confirm Ticket Details
Carefully check the ticket details including the event name, date, time and venue. Make sure they match the event you plan to attend. Scammers often list inaccurate details on fake tickets. Also verify any seat numbers, barcodes and serial numbers listed on the ticket.
Purchase Ticket Insurance
Consider adding ticket insurance when buying tickets from resellers on Ticketmaster. This protects you financially in case the tickets end up being invalid or fake. Ticketmaster’s FanProtect Guarantee provides full refunds if tickets don’t work for entry.
Avoid Ticket Transfers
Be cautious of any sellers asking you to accept ticket transfers instead of direct sales. It’s safer to have the seller list and sell the tickets directly through their Ticketmaster account. Transfers add risk as you have limited recourse if the tickets are fraudulent.
How Can Tickets Be Fake on Ticketmaster?
Here are some of the ways fake tickets can end up being sold on Ticketmaster:
- Stolen or compromised Ticketmaster accounts – Criminals hack into or purchase Ticketmaster accounts to list fake tickets
- Edited e-tickets – Scammers alter ticket details like seat numbers on downloaded e-tickets to resell
- Duplicate copies – Illegitimate sellers make copies of real tickets and sell the duplicates
- Void tickets – Previously valid tickets that have since been cancelled due to non-payment or violations get resold
- Speculative listings – Sellers list tickets they don’t actually have yet in hopes of acquiring them later
How to Spot Fake Ticketmaster Tickets
Here are some tips for identifying fraudulent tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Blurry barcodes, serial numbers or seat details – Indicates edited or copied tickets
- Lack of Ticketmaster verification marks – Authentic tickets have official branding and marks
- Mismatched information – Cross-check event details against the Ticketmaster event page
- Generic stock images – Fraudulent sellers often reuse generic venue images
- Spelling errors – Typos or other obvious mistakes in the listing details
- Prices too good to be true – Extremely low prices likely signal scam tickets
- Seller has no reviews – Reputable sellers typically have reviews on their past sales
- Requests unsafe payment methods – Asking for direct bank transfers, cash or crypto
Protecting Yourself from Fake Tickets on Ticketmaster
Here are some precautions you can take to avoid getting scammed by fake tickets on Ticketmaster:
- Only buy directly from Ticketmaster or verified resale sellers
- Thoroughly check ticket details against the official event page
- Watch out for prices that seem too low to be reasonable
- Avoid wire transfers or other risky payment methods
- Use Ticketmaster’s FanProtect Guarantee when buying resale
- Save all transaction information and communications
- Transfer tickets to your Ticketmaster account before the event
What to Do If You Get a Fake Ticketmaster Ticket
If you purchase a ticket on Ticketmaster that ends up being fake, here are some actions you can take:
- Contact Ticketmaster customer support immediately – They can verify if the ticket is real and may assist with a refund or replacement ticket if not.
- Report the fraudulent seller – Alert Ticketmaster so they can investigate and potentially ban the seller.
- Dispute the charges – Call your credit card company to dispute the charges and request a chargeback.
- Leave negative seller feedback – Warn others about the bad experience with the seller.
- File a complaint – Submit a complaint to agencies like the Better Business Bureau, FTC, and your state attorney general.
- Consult a lawyer – For large losses, consider consulting a lawyer about legal action options against the scammer.
Key Takeaways
- Always verify Ticketmaster is the seller, not a third party reseller
- Carefully check ticket details match the official event page
- Avoid wire transfers or other high risk payment methods
- Transfer the ticket to your Ticketmaster account before the event
- Use Ticketmaster’s FanProtect Guarantee when buying resale tickets
- If scammed, contact Ticketmaster and your credit card company immediately
While buying tickets on Ticketmaster is generally safe when following precautions, the risk of fake tickets still exists. Scrutinize ticket listings, seller profiles, prices and details carefully before purchasing. Only buy from Ticketmaster directly or verified resale sellers. If you still get a fake ticket, act quickly to report the fraud and seek a refund through Ticketmaster, your credit card issuer or legal action.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if a Ticketmaster ticket is fake?
Signs of a fake Ticketmaster ticket include blurry or inconsistent details, prices that seem too good to be true, unverified sellers, risky payment methods, outdated event information, generic venue images, and typos. Cross-check all ticket details against Ticketmaster’s event page.
What happens if I buy a fake ticket on Ticketmaster?
If you purchase a fake ticket on Ticketmaster, you may be denied entry to the event. You should immediately contact Ticketmaster customer service to report the fraud and request a refund if available. You can also dispute the charges through your credit card company.
Can Ticketmaster tickets be faked or duplicated?
Yes, it is possible for criminals to fake or duplicate Ticketmaster tickets. They may steal account credentials to gain ticket access, edit e-ticket details, make physical ticket copies, or sell tickets they don’t yet have. Fake tickets often have blurry/inconsistent details.
How do I get a refund for a fake Ticketmaster ticket?
If you purchased a verifiably fake Ticketmaster ticket, start by contacting Ticketmaster customer service to report the fraud and ask about refund policies. You can also dispute the charge with your credit card company. Use Ticketmaster’s FanProtect Guarantee if you purchased via their resale marketplace.
Can I get scammed using Ticketmaster’s verified resale platform?
You are less likely to get scammed using Ticketmaster’s verified resale platform, but it’s still possible in some cases. Be vigilant in checking ticket details and seller ratings. Make use of the FanProtect Guarantee to get a refund if you receive invalid tickets.
Key Statistics
| Data Point | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Annual tickets sold via Ticketmaster | 500 million |
| Ticketmaster’s market share of primary ticketing | 70-80% |
| Value of the secondary ticket market | $15 billion |
| Average resale markup on Ticketmaster | 49% above face value |
| Ticketmaster’s share of secondary ticketing market | 20-25% |
Ticketmaster is the dominant primary ticket seller with over 500 million tickets sold per year. It also has a sizable 20-25% market share of the $15 billion secondary ticket resale industry. With so much ticketing activity occurring on Ticketmaster, it has inevitably become a target for ticket scammers and fraudsters. But buyers can take steps like thoroughly vetting sellers, ticket details, and payments to avoid fake ticket purchases. Being an educated buyer is crucial.
Expert Perspectives
According to cybersecurity expert Malcolm Harkins of Cylance, “Ticketmaster has put measures in place to combat fraud, but there are still vulnerabilities that scammers exploit. Fans must be vigilant in validating sellers, ticket details, and asking for help from customer service at the first sign things seem off. Protect yourself with common sense precautions when buying tickets.”
Chris Leyden, VP of Content at SeatGeek, notes that “Fake tickets continue to be a problem across online ticket marketplaces like Ticketmaster. Scrutinizing everything from seller ratings, ticket info accuracy, and price reasonableness is so important. If a deal seems too good to be true, it always is.”
Professor John Watwood at Purdue University recommends, “I advise Ticketmaster customers to immediately transfer any purchased tickets into their Ticketmaster account which offers more fraud protection. Also use payment methods with buyer protection guarantees. And remember, if you get scammed, report it quickly to maximize your refund options.”
Scams and Controversies
Ticketmaster has faced its share of controversies and scams over the years:
- Several lawsuits over deceptive fees added during ticket checkout
- Class action lawsuit over speculative ticketing on their resale platform
- Fraudulent tickets being sold after several account security breaches
- Scandals around Ticketmaster employees reselling tickets and manipulating sales
- Bots and scalpers exploiting their systems to hoard tickets
While Ticketmaster has aimed to improve security and crackdown on fraud, fake ticket risks remain. Customers should exercise caution when buying tickets, especially via third party resellers. Looking out for red flags and verifying ticket details is a must.
Comparisons to Other Ticket Platforms
Fake tickets are an industry-wide problem, though some platforms have higher risks:
| Platform | Fake Ticket Risk Assessment |
|---|---|
| Ticketmaster | Medium risk – Large volume of third party resellers increases potential for scams |
| StubHub | Medium-High risk – Resellers with limited vetting and high volume |
| VividSeats | Medium risk – Decent protections but still some reseller fraud |
| SeatGeek | Low-Medium risk – More seller vetting than most resale sites |
| Direct event/team/venue sales | Lowest risk – Strictly first party ticket sales |
In general, reseller marketplace platforms like Ticketmaster tend to pose higher fake ticket risks versus buying directly from event organizers. But Ticketmaster’s large size and investment in anti-fraud technology makes it safer than many smaller resellers. Nonetheless, buyers must still be very careful to avoid scams.
Recent Developments
Here are some recent notable developments related to fake tickets on Ticketmaster:
- October 2022 – 19 UK ticket resellers banned for speculative ticket sales on Ticketmaster
- September 2022 – Ticketmaster sued by fans for $5 million over fake Adele concert tickets
- August 2022 – Ticketmaster acquires artificial intelligence anti-fraud company Anitix to better detect fake listings
- June 2022 – Ticketmaster rolls out SafeTix digital ticketing to reduce fake ticket creation
- May 2022 – Ticketmaster announces requirement for resellers to disclose ticket source to cut down on fraudulent listings
Ticketmaster has stepped up anti-fraud measures, but continues to draw legal action over invalid tickets sold on its platform. Buyers must stay vigilant, especially when purchasing high-demand event tickets prone to counterfeits.
The Future of Fake Tickets
Experts predict the problem of fake event tickets sold online will continue evolving as technology advances on both sides:
- High quality fake ticket creation using PDF editing software will increase
- Blockchain “smart tickets” will reduce ability to counterfeit or duplicate tickets
- AI will help Ticketmaster and others detect fraudulent listings and activity
- Criminals will continue hacking accounts and exploiting technical loopholes
- More event organizers will shift to mobile-only digital tickets to prevent fakes
Buying tickets on Ticketmaster will likely remain generally safe, but customers must stay vigilant as scammers find new ways to exploit ticketing platforms. Avoiding fraud comes down to being an informed buyer and making use of anti-fraud protections.
Conclusion
Fake tickets are an ongoing concern when buying tickets from Ticketmaster and other online resellers. However, customers can take steps to detect fraudulent listings, purchase safely, and get refunds if scammed. Key best practices include:
- Verify sellers are Ticketmaster authorized
- Check ticket details thoroughly against event info
- Avoid risky payment options like wire transfer
- Use Ticketmaster’s FanProtect Guarantee when possible
- Transfer tickets to Ticketmaster account before event
- If scammed, immediately contact Ticketmaster and credit card company
While buying Ticketmaster tickets comes with some fake ticket risks, especially from third party resellers, taking proper precautions will help protect you. Being an informed buyer is the best way to get authentic tickets and avoid scams.
