With Ticketmaster being one of the largest ticket sellers for concerts, sporting events, and theater performances, it’s important to know how to verify that the tickets you buy are authentic. There are a few key things to look for when purchasing tickets on Ticketmaster or other resale sites to ensure you don’t get scammed.
Check for an Official Ticketmaster Logo
All tickets sold directly through Ticketmaster will feature the company’s official logo on the top left corner. The logo features a red “T” with “icketmaster” written in white. If the tickets you purchased lack the official logo, that’s a red flag that they may not be real or officially licensed by Ticketmaster.
Verify the Barcode
In addition to the logo, authentic Ticketmaster tickets have an official barcode that can be scanned at the venue to verify the ticket’s authenticity. Barcodes should have a 20-digit alphanumeric code and have the Ticketmaster name at the bottom. You can verify the barcode ahead of time by looking up the barcode number on Ticketmaster’s website.
Examine the Quality of the Tickets
Authentic tickets from Ticketmaster are printed on cardstock paper and have anti-forgery features like reflective foil elements. If the ticket quality looks low, with thin paper or blurry printing, that’s a sign it may be fake. Additionally, real tickets have the seat numbers, date, and venue printed clearly in a clean font.
Purchase from Reputable Sellers
When purchasing tickets resale from other fans or brokers, vet the source carefully. Only buy from reputable sellers with a long history of sales and positive reviews. Avoid buying tickets on Craigslist, eBay, or other sites where seller reputation isn’t as transparent. Also beware prices that seem too good to be true.
Verify Your Purchase on Ticketmaster
After purchasing a resale ticket, you can verify it by looking up the ticket number on Ticketmaster.com. If Ticketmaster has no record of the ticket, then it’s likely fake. You can also contact Ticketmaster’s customer service for assistance determining if a ticket you purchased from a third party is authentic and valid.
Get Tickets Directly from Ticketmaster
Whenever possible, make Ticketmaster your first and only stop for event tickets. Purchasing directly from their website or box office eliminates the risk of counterfeits. If the event you want is sold out, join the waitlist on Ticketmaster versus buying from unverified third parties.
Inspect Tickets Upon Receiving Them
Don’t assume the tickets are real until you see them in person. When you receive or pick up tickets you purchased, thoroughly inspect them for the security features mentioned above before paying. Be wary of sellers who seem reluctant to let you inspect tickets beforehand.
Use a Credit Card for Purchases
Paying by credit card when ordering tickets gives you additional fraud protection and the ability to dispute charges if the tickets end up being fake. Avoid paying with cash, wire transfers, or non-reversible payment methods.
Sign Up for Ticketmaster’s Fan-to-Fan Exchange
Ticketmaster has its own safe resale marketplace called Ticketmaster Fan-to-Fan Exchange. All tickets are verified, ranked by price, and come with a FanProtect guarantee. This is the safest option for buying resale tickets.
Be Wary of Scams and Warning Signs
Be vigilant about scams when buying tickets secondhand. Warning signs include sellers insisting on wire transfers, meeting in person to exchange tickets for cash, prices that are much lower than face value, or sellers unwilling to provide documentation.
Conclusion
By being an informed and cautious buyer, thoroughly checking any tickets purchased, and using trustworthy sellers, you can feel confident that your Ticketmaster tickets are real and that you won’t be turned away at the door. Pay attention to the telltale signs of fake tickets, and don’t take unnecessary risks just to save a little money. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Table Comparing Real vs. Fake Ticketmaster Tickets
| Feature | Real Ticketmaster Ticket | Fake Ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Official logo | Present in top left corner | Missing logo |
| Barcode | Scannable 20-digit code | Invalid barcode |
| Paper quality | Heavy cardstock | Thin paper |
| Reflective foils | Usually present | Absent |
| Print clarity | Clear, clean fonts | Blurry or illegible |
| Seat/date/venue | Listed accurately | Details missing or incorrect |
| Source | Ticketmaster directly | Unverified third party |
| Price | Face value or higher | Below face value |
Examples of Telltale Signs of Fraudulent Tickets
Trying to Meet Up to Exchange Tickets for Cash
Real sellers won’t insist on an in-person cash exchange and will allow the tickets to be shipped protected by a credit card purchase. Meetups are a way to scam buyers out of cash without providing real tickets.
No Refunds or Exchanges
Most reputable resellers will allow refunds or exchanges if tickets turn out to be fake or have issues. A strict no refund policy indicates a potential scam.
Prices Too Good to Be True
Tickets that are far below face value or average resale price are a red flag. Scammers often list extremely low prices to attract buyers.
Seller Unwilling to Send Photos or Documentation
Authenticated sellers will readily provide images of the tickets and documentation of the original purchase to verify authenticity. Avoid sellers who won’t provide any ticket details until after payment.
Pushy Sales Tactics
High pressure tactics like one-day only deals are a sign of fraudulent sellers trying to scam buyers into hasty purchases. Take time to vet tickets and sellers carefully.
Third Party Brokers with No Verifiable History
Try to only purchase from established marketplaces like Ticketmaster Exchange or trusted primary ticket brokers with proven track records and many years in business.
Example of a Fraudulent Ticketmaster Ticket Sale Scam
Craiglist Ad: I have two tickets to Taylor Swift for just $50 each, way under face value! Must sell ASAP so let me know if you want these amazing seats before someone else gets them. Cash only and you have to meet me downtown tonight to pick them up.
Why it’s a scam: Prices are absurdly low to attract buyers in a hurry. Cash only and must meet immediately are tactics to avoid providing refunds or exchanges. Lack of details on the tickets also indicates they are fake. Avoid sales like this – only buy from reputable sellers who provide documentation and purchase protection.
How to Report Fake or Scam Ticketmaster Tickets
If you come across fake Ticketmaster tickets being sold online, you can take the following steps to have the fraudulent listings removed and prevent the scammers from victimizing others:
Report Fake Listings to the Site Host
On platforms like eBay or Craigslist, report any suspicious, misleading, or fraudulent ticket sales to the site admins so they can promptly take down the listings.
Submit Details to Ticketmaster
Contact Ticketmaster customer service with the listings and seller details at (800) 653-8000 so they can potentially take legal action for trademark infringement.
File a Complaint with the FTC
You can submit a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission on their website about any ticket scams or counterfeit ticket sales.
Leave Online Reviews
Leave comments on sales platforms or review sites warning others about scam ticket sellers to prevent future victims. Specific details are most helpful.
Contact Local Law Enforcement
For serious fraud involving counterfeit tickets, you may want to file a police report so authorities are aware of illegal activities occurring in the area.
Report Fraudulent Sellers to the BBB
The Better Business Bureau keeps records of scam businesses and you can file a report about fake ticket sellers on their website.
How Can I Tell if My Craigslist Tickets are Real?
Craigslist tickets require extra scrutiny, as it has many unauthorized ticket resellers. Some signs your Craigslist tickets may be fake include:
- Prices that are much lower than face value
- Sellers unable to provide documentation, photos, or ticket details
- No option for refunds if tickets are fake
- Meetup required for cash exchange
- Poor quality or photocopied tickets
- Generic ticket description, no seat numbers
- Unable to verify tickets on venue’s or Ticketmaster’s website
If you do choose to buy tickets on Craigslist, thoroughly vet the seller, meet in a safe public place, inspect tickets closely, and pay by credit card if possible. Avoid high risk purchases from anonymous sellers with no paper trail.
Can Ticketmaster Tell if You Transferred Tickets?
Ticketmaster does have the ability to tell if tickets have been transferred or sold outside their system. Their tickets are non-transferable, so they can invalidate any tickets resold against their policy. If you buy transferred tickets, Ticketmaster may cancel them, and you could be denied entry.
Ticketmaster does facilitate legal resales through their Ticketmaster Verified Resale platform. But any unauthorized transfers put tickets at risk of cancellation. Before buying transferred tickets, verify them directly with Ticketmaster to avoid cancellation issues down the line.
Is Ticketmaster Instant Delivery Safe?
Ticketmaster does offer instant delivery digital tickets for some events. This convenient option sends tickets directly to your Ticketmaster account to access on your phone. Instant delivery tickets are safe and legitimate as long as they are purchased directly from Ticketmaster. Things to keep in mind:
- Only buy from Ticketmaster site or app, not resale sites
- Check that your Ticketmaster account is secure
- Follow ticket transfer guidelines
- Save your virtual tickets to your phone’s wallet ahead of time
- Have battery charger and account login as backup
As long as you buy official instant delivery tickets linked to your account, get them directly from Ticketmaster, and store them properly, they are a secure way to get tickets quickly. But third party digital tickets run a high scam risk.
What Details are Included on a Ticketmaster Receipt?
A legitimate Ticketmaster receipt will contain details like:
- Ticketmaster logo and branding
- Your name, billing address, and Ticketmaster account username
- Event name, date, time
- Section, row, and seat number
- Purchase price and transaction fee
- Order and confirmation number
- Barcode numbers for each ticket
- Issue and print date of tickets
- Ticketmaster’s customer service contact information
Having an official receipt with ticket details proves legitimacy and provides protection in case any issues arise with your tickets. Always keep your Ticketmaster receipts in case you need to reference them later.
Can You Verify Ticketmaster Tickets Without the Barcodes?
Without the visible barcode numbers printed on each ticket, it becomes very difficult to independently verify Ticketmaster tickets. Some options include:
- Call Ticketmaster with the order number – they can look up ticket details
- Take tickets to the venue box office in person for verification
- Consult the event organizer if tickets were bought from them directly
- Scrutinize all other security features and seller reputation
Obscured barcodes add significant risk and uncertainty when buying tickets secondhand. When possible, only buy tickets you can visually confirm the barcode on to scan at the venue. Or use Ticketmaster’s Fan-to-Fan Exchange.
Can Fake Tickets Scan at Events?
Modern ticket scanners use barcode, QR code, and now NFC technology to instantly validate real tickets. Fake tickets may look authentic, but cannot replicate the digital ticketing data that scanners check. Some ways scanners catch fake tickets:
- Invalid barcode/QR code numbers
- No Ticketmaster digital signature
- Counterfeit ticket already scanned
- Ticket reported lost or stolen
- Unassigned ticket numbers
Scammers often sell copies of real tickets to multiple buyers. Even if your fake ticket scans once, it will be rejected if duplicated and already scanned at the door. Don’t assume fake tickets will go undetected by scanners.
Does Ticketmaster Insure You Against Fake Tickets?
Ticketmaster does not offer any direct protection or insurance against purchasing fake tickets from unauthorized third party resellers. Their policies state they are only responsible for tickets sold on Ticketmaster owned-and-operated sites.
However, tickets bought directly from Ticketmaster are guaranteed valid and real. And resales done through their Verified Resale program have FanProtect purchase guarantees. So for total peace of mind, only buy from Ticketmaster owned sales channels.
Conclusion
Ticketmaster tickets remain prone to counterfeiting like any high-demand item. But by using Ticketmaster directly, their Verified Resale program, or vetted partners, you can buy real tickets with full confidence. Always inspect tickets thoroughly upon receipt and understand your purchase protections. With smart shopping habits, you can enjoy live events knowing you paid for guaranteed legitimate tickets.
