With the rise of online ticket sales through websites like Ticketmaster, buying tickets for concerts, sports games, and other events has never been easier. However, the convenience of purchasing tickets online also comes with risks like ticket fraud and scalping. So do you need to take steps to protect your ticket purchase on Ticketmaster? There are a few key factors to consider.
The risk of ticket fraud
One of the main concerns when buying tickets online is the potential for ticket fraud. This refers to criminal activities like:
– Fake ticket sellers creating copycat sites that look like Ticketmaster but are intended to steal buyer’s money without providing real tickets.
– Hacking into Ticketmaster accounts to steal and resell tickets.
– Selling duplicated copies of real tickets, meaning multiple people show up with the same ticket.
Ticket fraud leads to buyers either not receiving valid tickets or showing up at the event just to be denied entry due to duplicated tickets. According to the National Consumer League, over $17 million is lost to ticket fraud each year in North America.
The risk of scalping and resale at inflated prices
Another problem is scalping, when tickets are resold at highly inflated prices on secondary markets. For popular concerts and games, scalpers may snap up tickets only to resell them for 2-3 times their original price. So buyers miss out on face value pricing.
Scalping becomes an issue when resellers use bots or automated tools to buy up huge quantities of tickets online right as sales open. This leaves fewer tickets available directly through Ticketmaster at normal prices.
Should I take steps to protect my Ticketmaster tickets?
Given the risks of ticket fraud and scalping, protecting your ticket purchase is advisable. Here are some best practices:
Only use Ticketmaster for purchases
Stick to the primary ticket seller like Ticketmaster instead of secondary resellers. This avoids fake ticket scams. Also be wary of social media posts or Craigslist ads claiming to sell face value tickets too. Only trust the original source.
Set up Ticketmaster’s SafeTix system
SafeTix is Ticketmaster’s system to protect against duplicated tickets. It associates each ticket with the buyer’s name and credit card used to purchase it. Tickets must be presented with ID matching that buyer. Scalpers can’t duplicate and resell such protected tickets.
Download the Ticketmaster app
Use Ticketmaster’s mobile app when purchasing tickets and save them directly to your phone’s digital wallet. This provides another layer of protection and identification compared to paper tickets. The app makes tickets harder to counterfeit or duplicate.
Turn on purchase notifications
Within your Ticketmaster account, enable notifications for every ticket purchase and transfer. This lets you monitor your ticket inventory and quickly identify any unauthorized sales.
Avoid ticket transfers or sales on public forums
Be cautious of transferring Ticketmaster tickets to another person, even a friend. Fraud is easier if tickets change multiple hands after initial purchase. Ideally tickets should be used only by the original buyer.
What can I do if my Ticketmaster tickets are stolen?
If you suspect your tickets were compromised, stolen or lost, contact Ticketmaster immediately. They can take measures like:
– Invalidating the original tickets so they can’t be used
– Reissuing replacement tickets with new barcodes
– Banning fraudulent accounts involved in the theft
Also reach out to the event host (concert promoter, sports team, etc) for assistance recovering legitimate access to the event. Having a police report about the theft can support the claim.
With evidence like the SafeTix record or app showing the original ticket in your name, Ticketmaster and the event host have proof you were the valid buyer defrauded by others. They are more equipped to recover your access.
Are Ticketmaster tickets refundable or transferrable?
Standard Ticketmaster tickets are generally non-refundable and non-transferrable. However, exceptions include:
– Tickets may be transferrable between Ticketmaster accounts for a fee.
– Some tickets are resellable through Ticketmaster’s verified resale program.
– Refunds or exchanges may be allowed within a limited time window.
For high-demand events that frequently sell out, reselling or transferring tickets is often prohibited. Always check the specific event policy. Contact Ticketmaster customer support with any ticket change requests.
Providing the original order information will help if any flexibility for refunds, exchanges or transfers is possible. But otherwise, standard policy is for Ticketmaster tickets to be non-refundable.
How does Ticketmaster prevent scalping and bots?
Ticketmaster utilizes a number of protections aimed at limiting scalpers and bots from dominating ticket sales:
CAPTCHA tests
CAPTCHA codes help confirm buyers are real human users, not bot programs automatically purchasing tickets. Scalpers rely heavily on bots to buy up tickets, so CAPTCHAs are an effective deterrent.
Purchase limits
Limits may be placed on the number of tickets one can buy, the number of times a credit card can be used, or the number of device IP addresses allowed per account. This restricts bulk scalper purchases.
Timing of sales
Sales may be postponed or staggered over multiple days to reduce the frenzy of high-traffic on-sales. This spreads out buyer demand instead of everything selling out instantly.
Cancelling suspicious orders
Bulk orders or those placed with patterns suggesting scalper bots may be cancelled, especially if billing and shipping details don’t match normal customers.
Banning identified scalper accounts
Accounts clearly engaged in scalping large ticket volumes can be terminated and barred from future purchases. Credit cards associated with scalpers may also be blocked.
Conclusion
Ticket fraud and scalping present real risks when buying tickets online. But Ticketmaster provides fan-friendly protections like SafeTix, mobile ticketing, and purchase limits that can secure your ticket investment. Always purchase directly from Ticketmaster instead of secondary resellers for the greatest security. Report any stolen or lost tickets immediately for assistance recovering your event access. With smart precautions, fans can enjoy the convenience of buying tickets online through Ticketmaster without being taken advantage of by scalpers or scammers.