Can tickets transferred through Ticketmaster be fake?

This is a common question for people buying tickets on resale marketplaces like StubHub that were originally sold through Ticketmaster. The short answer is yes, there is a possibility that tickets transferred through Ticketmaster can be fake or invalid. However, Ticketmaster does have some safeguards in place to protect buyers.

How Ticketmaster Transfers Work

When an original ticket buyer can no longer attend an event, they can log into their Ticketmaster account and transfer the tickets to someone else. This initiates a ticket transfer process through Ticketmaster’s system. The tickets are removed from the original buyer’s account and a new ticket is generated and emailed to the recipient. This new ticket will have their name on it.

Ticketmaster states that tickets transferred through their system are guaranteed to be valid. They back this guarantee by working with event organizers and venues to invalidate any duplicate copies of tickets that may exist. For example, if the original buyer screenshots their ticket and sends it to the recipient, while also initiating an official transfer, the screened shot copy would be invalidated by the venue when scanned. Only the officially transferred ticket would scan and allow entry.

Risks of Fake Tickets

While Ticketmaster does have protections in place, there are still some risks when buying transferred tickets:

• The original buyer could initiate multiple transfers of the same ticket to different people. Only the first one to arrive and scan would get entry.
• The original buyer could sell screenshots or PDFs of their tickets through other resale sites, invalidating any tickets transferred through Ticketmaster.
• Tickets could be stolen and transferred without the original buyer’s consent.

These scenarios show that it is possible for invalid or fake tickets to be transferred through Ticketmaster. The protections are not foolproof.

Tips for Buyers

If you are purchasing Ticketmaster transferred tickets, here are some tips to reduce your risk:

• Only buy from trusted sellers with good reviews and ratings.
• Avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
• Verify the tickets through Ticketmaster. They should show the new buyer’s name.
• Be wary of screenshots or PDFs of tickets, only official Ticketmaster transfers are truly valid.
• Use a credit card for payment in case you need to dispute the charges.
• Be suspicious of any seller unwilling to transfer tickets officially through Ticketmaster.

Safe Marketplaces

Your best bet is to use trusted resale marketplaces that guarantee all tickets. StubHub and Vivid Seats, for example, will refund the cost of any invalid tickets. Some key points about these marketplaces:

• They vet sellers and have guarantees in place for buyers.
• Tickets transferred through Ticketmaster are safer on these sites versus independent sellers.
• Prices are generally higher than less reputable sites, but also less risky.
• Read all policies carefully, especially regarding how soon before the event you can receive ticket transfers.

Going Through the Box Office

When possible, the safest option is to avoid the secondary market completely and purchase tickets directly through the original vendor. For popular events, this may involve special presales, waiting in online queues, or being ready right when tickets go on sale.

Summary:

• Yes, it is possible for Ticketmaster transfers to be fake or invalid.
• Ticketmaster does provide buyer guarantees, but loopholes exist.
• Vet sellers carefully, use trusted marketplaces, and purchase directly when possible.

The Risks of Buying Fake Tickets

Buying fake tickets can lead to a number of undesirable outcomes for the purchaser. Here are some of the main risks to be aware of:

• Being denied entry: The most obvious risk is showing up with counterfeit tickets and being turned away at the gate. This will lead to missing the event entirely.
• No recourse for your purchase: Generally with fake tickets there is no way to recover the money spent, unlike from a legit marketplace that guarantees tickets.
• Fees for false tickets: Some venues may charge additional fees if you try to use fake tickets and take up time at the gate.
• Buying stolen tickets: There is a chance fake tickets were illegally obtained originally, putting the buyer at further risk.
• Missing out on real tickets: Time spent purchasing and dealing with fake tickets means missing opportunities to buy valid ones as inventory sells out.
• Scams and fraud: Fake ticketing often goes hand in hand with outright scams, fake websites, and other ways buyers can be taken advantage of.

The bottom line is fake tickets can lead to wasted time, money, and opportunities to see your desired events. At best you’ll be denied entry, at worst victims of fraud. This underscores the importance of purchasing from reputable sellers and marketplaces.

How to Spot Potential Fake Tickets

Here are some red flags that may indicate tickets being sold are counterfeit:

• Listed at prices well below face value or market rate.
• Seller is unwilling to transfer tickets officially through Ticketmaster.
• Seller only provides screenshots or PDFs of tickets.
• Tickets do not show your name as the buyer when transferred.
• Language on tickets does not look official.
• Barcodes do not scan or validate through official ticketing apps.
• Seller has limited history and reviews on marketplace.
• Website looks unofficial, has grammar errors, or limited information.
• Seller pushes for quick payment and delivery without vetting.

No single red flag guarantees a ticket is fake, but several together should give pause. Trust your gut if something feels off or too good to be true. Better to find a safer option than waste time and money on potential scams.

Does Ticketmaster Do Anything to Protect Buyers?

Ticketmaster employs a few measures specifically aimed at preventing fake or invalid tickets:

• Official ticket transfers – By only allowing ticket holders to transfer tickets directly through their systems, Ticketmaster can track and verify transactions.
• Invalidating duplicates – If a ticket is copied or screenshotted, Ticketmaster works with venues to invalidate any duplicates so only the officially transferred ticket will work.
• Limits on transfers – Tickets can only be transferred a limited number of times, helping reduce potential resales of a single ticket.
• Guarantees – Official Ticketmaster resale marketplaces like TicketsNow provide buyers guarantees against invalid tickets.
• Purchase limits – Restrictions on how many tickets a single account can purchase helps deter large-scale ticket scalping.

While these protections are not foolproof, they do provide some level of security against fake tickets for buyers who utilize Ticketmaster’s official transfer systems and marketplaces. However, buyers should still exercise caution.

Are PDF or Screenshot Tickets Valid?

PDF and screenshot tickets are not officially valid tickets. Some key facts:

• Venues will not accept PDF or photo ticket copies for entry, only original tickets transferred through Ticketmaster.
• Screenshots can be easily duplicated, copied, and forged.
• Ticketmaster actively invalidates any duplicate ticket copies when an official transfer is made.
• Watermarks and other security features are not present in PDF or photo copies.
• No buyer protections or guarantees exist for non-transferred tickets.

There are cases where Ticketmaster may allow PDF tickets in limited circumstances, such as issues printing a ticket. However, in general any non-official transfer method like screenshots or PDFs should be avoided, as they have a much higher fraud risk.

What to Do if You Have Fake Tickets?

If you have already purchased tickets and suspect they may be fake, here are some steps to take:

1. Carefully examine the tickets and look for red flags like invalid barcodes, missing buyer name, etc.
2. Validate them through Ticketmaster’s systems if possible.
3. Contact the seller/marketplace you purchased from immediately.
4. If you paid by credit card, consider contesting the charges.
5. For online marketplaces, see if you are covered by buyer guarantee policies.
6. For high-profile events, contact the box office about potential ticket fraud.
7. Only buy replacement tickets from trusted vendors, never the same seller.
8. Report any scams to ticket resale regulator agencies.

Acting quickly gives you the most options to hopefully get your money back or obtain valid tickets instead. If attending the event, have backup plans ready in case your tickets end up being fake.

Are Ticket Transfers Riskier Than Buying From Vendor?

Buying ticket transfers does carry some additional risks compared to buying directly from the original ticket vendor:

However, transfer platforms like StubHub do provide certain buyer guarantees against fraud. There are also benefits around availability and pricing. So transfers remain a valid option, buyers just need to be more cautious than when buying directly.

How Has Fraud Changed With Electronic Tickets?

The shift from paper tickets to electronic tickets has impacted how ticketing fraud operates:

• Duplicate copies of e-tickets are easier to make and share digitally.
• Watermarks and other security features are bypassed with screenshots.
• It’s easier for scalpers to automate purchasing and transfers.
• More ways for sellers to list and transfer tickets through multiple platforms.

However, electronic ticketing also provides some fraud prevention opportunities:

• Tickets can be dynamically invalidated if duplicated.
• Data analysis helps identify high-risk buyers and sellers.
• Tracing and linking of e-ticket use across markets helps prevent scalping.
• More buyer visibility into linked ticket accounts and transfer history.

While risks exist, e-ticketing combined with analytics and transfer tracking allows venues and marketplaces to counter many types of fraud if implemented properly.

Conclusion

Fake tickets will always pose risks for buyers looking for in-demand event tickets. There are no perfect safeguards against individuals selling invalid duplicated tickets through unauthorized channels. However, sticking to trusted primary and secondary marketplaces provides the best protection by following best practices:

• Vet all sellers thoroughly and look for suspicious activity.
• Only use official transfer mechanisms like Ticketmaster.
• Avoid PDFs, screenshots and non-guaranteed private sales.
• Purchase directly from box office when possible.
• Learn to identify signs of potential fraud.
• Use buyer guarantees and fraud protections to your advantage.
• Trust your instincts – if a deal seems shifty, walk away.

Being an informed buyer is the top defense against ending up with fake tickets. While scams exist, buyers can largely control their own risk exposure.